Peregraf — Authorities in Iraq's holy city of Karbala have named one of the city's main streets after Halabja in recognition of what officials described as the Kurdish city's humanitarian support following the death of an 11-year-old girl from Karbala earlier this month.
Karbala Governor Nassif Jassim al-Khattabi announced Friday that a major street in central Karbala will be officially designated "Halabja Street."
According to a statement from the governor's office, the decision was made in appreciation of the efforts and solidarity shown by the people and authorities of Halabja during the search for Ruqyya, an 11-year-old girl from Karbala who drowned while visiting the Kurdistan Region with her family.
"This initiative comes as an expression of gratitude and appreciation for the sincere brotherly stances embodied by the people of Halabja," al-Khattabi said. "It reflects the depth of the humanitarian and national bonds that unite the Iraqi people."
He added that naming the street after Halabja serves as a symbol of solidarity and national unity among Iraq's diverse communities.
Search Effort Draws National Attention
Ruqyya traveled with her family from Karbala to the Zalm resort area in Halabja province on June 9. During the visit, she drowned in the waters of the Zalm spring, triggering an extensive search operation involving local authorities, rescue teams, and volunteers.
The search continued for several days and drew widespread attention across Iraq.
On June 17, rescue teams recovered the girl's body. A day later, her remains were returned to Karbala in a formal ceremony attended by local officials and residents.
The efforts undertaken by the people and authorities of Halabja generated an outpouring of sympathy and support across Iraq and were widely praised on social media.
Symbol of National Unity
Al-Khattabi said the decision to name the street after Halabja was intended to honor those efforts and reinforce ties between Iraq's provinces.
"Naming the street after Halabja represents a message of loyalty and appreciation and embodies the spirit of solidarity and cohesion between Iraqi governorates," he said.
The governor added that Karbala would continue to support initiatives that strengthen national unity and promote cooperation among Iraqis.
The gesture has been widely welcomed by residents and commentators, many of whom described it as a rare example of solidarity transcending regional, ethnic, and political divisions.
For many Iraqis, the decision carries additional symbolism given Halabja's place in modern Iraqi history. The city is internationally known for the 1988 chemical attack carried out by Saddam Hussein's regime, which killed thousands of Kurdish civilians and remains one of the most painful chapters in Kurdish collective memory.
Officials in both Karbala and Halabja said the naming of the street reflects a shared commitment to humanitarian values and national solidarity during times of tragedy.