Today marks the 26th anniversary of the horrific massacre by Saddam Hussein’s regime of over 5,000 innocent civilians in a chemical weapons attack on the city of Halabja, in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. Another 10,000 innocent civilians were blinded and maimed. Many more suffered from disease and debilitating symptoms from the use of toxic chemicals in these weapons.

On this solemn occasion, we honor the memories of these innocent victims and pledge to stand with all Iraqis and the Kurdish people as they strive to build the democratic, federal, pluralistic, and united Iraq as envisioned and enshrined in the Iraqi Constitution.

In commemorating this tragic day, we also renew our commitment to ensuring such atrocities can never again take place in this ancient land of two rivers where Arabs, Kurds, Christians, Turkmen, Yazidis, Shabaks, and Sabean Mandeans have lived side-by-side for centuries.

The U.S. Mission in Iraq, on behalf of the U.S. Government, extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of all those who suffered; we honor their memory as well the survivors.