On the solemn occasion of the 36th anniversary of the Anfal Campaign, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, offered heartfelt remembrance and recognition to the Kurdish nation who suffered grievously during Saddam Hussein’s brutal military onslaught in Iraq.

In a statement released today, Lord Ahmad underscored the dark chapter in history inflicted upon the Kurdish nation and other minority communities in the Kurdistan Region between 1986 and 1989. He highlighted the appalling acts committed during the Anfal Campaign, including the forcible displacement, murder, and maiming of 50,000-100,000 individuals, as well as the destruction of 4,000 Kurdish villages.

Among the most heinous acts perpetrated during this campaign was the infamous Chemical Attack on Halabja in 1988, where thousands of innocent lives were mercilessly taken by Saddam Hussein's deployment of chemical weapons against the Kurdish population.

In a gesture of respect and solidarity, Lord Ahmad indicated that on March 16, 2024, staff at the British Consulate General in Erbil visited Halabja to pay their respects to the victims massacred during the 1988 Chemical Attack – Saddam Hussein’s most infamous use of chemical weapons against the Kurdish people.

Expressing profound sympathy for the victims and their families, Lord Ahmad acknowledged the enduring pain and suffering they continue to endure to this day. He extended his thoughts and prayers to all those affected, emphasizing the solemn duty to honor the memory of those lost and stand in solidarity with survivors.

Reaffirming the United Kingdom's unwavering commitment to supporting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Kurdistan Region, Lord Ahmad reiterated the UK's dedication to standing alongside the Kurdish nation in their pursuit of a better future.

As the world reflects on the harrowing events of the Anfal Campaign, Lord Ahmad's tribute serves as a vital reminder of the importance of remembrance, justice, and collective efforts to prevent such atrocities from ever occurring again.