Salahuddin Declares Holiday for June 11 Martyrs' Commemoration

SALADIN, Iraq — Salahaddin, Iraq — The governor of Salahuddin province has declared an official holiday on June 11, 2026, for government institutions across the province. The decision was made to mark the 12th commemoration of the Seyyid Yusuf and Speiyer massacre, according to a statement from the governor's office. ISIS killed hundreds of soldiers north of Tikrit on June 12, 2014, after they surrendered to the militant group. Governor Heitham al-Zahwan said the holiday aims to facilitate participation by victims' families and residents in commemoration ceremonies, as well as support administrative, service and security preparations for the events. Al-Zahwan described the Speiyer massacre as one of the heaviest terrorist attacks targeting the Iraqi people. He emphasized that the sacrifices of the martyrs should be remembered and national unity values reinforced.