Barzani calls for compensation and international recognition on Anfal anniversary

ERBIL, Iraq — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said efforts would continue to secure international recognition of the Anfal operations as genocide. In a statement marking the 38th anniversary of the 25 August–6 September 1988 campaign, he described it as the final phase of the Anfal operations, during which civilians in Behdinan and surrounding areas were attacked with banned weapons. Barzani cited the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court’s classification of Anfal as genocide and a crime against humanity under international law. He called on the federal government to provide material and moral compensation to the victims. He also said the events should serve as a warning against the recurrence of similar crimes and urged unity in protecting the constitutional rights of the Kurdish people. Barzani praised residents of Erbil and surrounding areas for assisting victims from Behdinan at the Ceznikan camp during the operations.