Iraqi PM Marks Anfal Genocide Against Kurds: 'With Deep Sorrow and Painful Remembrance'

Peregraf — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani marked the 38th anniversary of the Anfal Campaign, condemning the crimes committed against Kurds and emphasizing national unity under Iraq's current political system.

"With deep sorrow and painful remembrance, we mark 38 years since the racist crimes committed by the dictatorial regime and its criminal gangs against our Kurdish people during the brutal Anfal campaigns," al-Sudani said in a statement.

He said Kurdish civilians in cities, villages, and towns were subjected to "the most heinous forms of killing and persecution," describing the actions as violations of all values, customs, and laws.

Al-Sudani stressed the importance of unity, saying Iraq today stands on "the brotherhood among its components and nationalities" within a democratic and constitutional system where all Iraqis live with dignity, free from discrimination.

"Mercy and eternal remembrance to Iraq's martyrs, and disgrace upon tyrants, criminals, and killers," he added.

The Anfal Campaign was carried out in 1988 by Iraq's former Baath regime, lasted seven months, and resulted in the killing of an estimated 50,000 to 182,000 Kurds, according to various human rights organizations — though the figures remain disputed. Thousands of villages were destroyed and entire communities were forcibly displaced.

Survivors and advocacy groups have long called for accountability, with efforts to prosecute individuals responsible for crimes committed during the campaign producing limited results to date.