Salahaddin Declares Holiday June 11 for 2014 Massacre Anniversary

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Salahaddin province will observe an official holiday on June 11 to mark the 12th anniversary of the Suhailawi massacre, a 2014 ISIS attack that killed approximately 2,000 people. Governor Hesham al-Zuhwan announced the closure of official institutions across the province, saying the decision would allow families of victims and citizens to participate in memorial ceremonies while supporting organizational and security arrangements. Al-Zuhwan described the massacre as "one of the most terrible terrorist crimes targeting the Iraqi people." The attack took place at a former military base near the provincial capital, where ISIS forces executed air academy students and security personnel in June 2014. Dhi Qar Provincial Council also announced on June 7 that an official holiday would be observed in its province on the same date.