Iran marks 37th anniversary of Saddam Husseins chemical attack on Halabja

According to The Iran Project, On March 16, 1988, Iraq’s dictator ordered his air force to bomb Halabja with chemical weapons, including nerve agents like VX and mustard gas, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians.

The streets were strewn with dead bodies of women and children. Many perished by water streams as they tried to wash the deadly gas off their faces.

Estimates suggest between 3,200 and 5,000 people were killed, and 7,000 to 10,000 more were injured, the majority being civilians.

Post-attack surveys showed an increased incidence of cancer and birth defects in the region.

The Halabja attack was part of the Al-Anfal Campaign, recognized as a distinct act of genocide against the Kurdish people by Saddam's regime.

The Iraqi High Criminal Court declared the Halabja massacre an act of genocide on March 1, 2010.

In a statement on Sunday, Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei said, “On this day 37 years ago, the defenseless people of Halabja were hit by chemical bombs which had been produced with the technical and technological assistance of the US and some European countries. Tens of thousands of innocents died or sustained permanent injuries in this heinous war crime.”

“Iranians, especially the people of Sardasht and many Iranian military personnel and civilians, who were attacked during the 8-year imposed war with chemical weapons by Saddam's regime, deeply understand the pain and suffering of the people of Halabja,” he added.

"Truth and justice are the legitimate and permanent demands of the loved ones of those who fell victim to the former Iraqi regime's chemical weapons. The passage of time cannot lessen the ugliness of this crime, nor can it diminish the demand for truth and justice,” Baqaei said.

“As long as the European countries, involved in supplying and developing Iraq's chemical weapons program, avoid telling the truth and accepting their responsibility, their claims to respect human rights and the rule of law will remain pointless,” the Iranian spokesman said.

Reporter : Editorial of The Iran Project

Iran marks 37th anniversary of Saddam Hussein's chemical attack on Halabja