Saddam's Crimes Against the Kurds

"The killing never ends. Saddam is in the recurrent nightmare of every Kurd."

There are hundreds if not thousands of documented cases about Saddam's acts of tyranny, torture and mass murder of Kurds in particular, and Iraqi people in general. Kurds all around the world have family members or friends who have lost their lives or suffered horrifically at the hands of the Iraqi regime.  If you happen to meet a Kurd refugee in your country, he or she will have a family history with countless tears and blood spilled by Saddam's criminal acts.

See British Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report: Saddam Hussein: Crimes and Human Rights Abuses - 2/12/2002 (pdf)

HALABJA

On March 16th 1988, Iraqi jets bombed the town of Halabja with chemical weapons. At least 5,000 people were killed and 7,000 severely injured. Fourteen years on, thousands are still suffering the affects of the chemical weapons.

The gases used included mustard gas, nerve agents sarin, tabun and VX. This was the largest chemical attack on a civilian population ever.

Of all the atrocities committed against the Kurds during the Anfal Campaign, Halabja has come to symbolize the worst of the repression of Iraqi Kurds.

For three days, the town and surrounding districts were unmercifully attacked with bombs, artillery fire, and chemicals. The chemical weapons were the most destructive of life. At least 5,000 people died immediately as a result of the chemical attack and it is estimated that up to 12,000 people in all died during the course of those three days.

Humanitarian and charity clinics in the close by areas are encountered with unthinkable forms of disease and deformity among survivors. Miscarriages and birth defects are also commonplace.

For more information visit http://www.krg.org/reference/halabja/index.asp. Also available on the site is a slide show of the aftermath of the attack. Please be advised that the pictures are of a graphic nature and may cause distress. Viewer discretion is advised.

Selected Sites on Halabja and the Anfal Campaign:

- http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/iraq/warning.htm (US State Department)
- http://www.gendercide.org/case_anfal.html (Gendercide Watch)
- http://www.krg.org/docs/articles/anfal-campaign.asp (Kurdistan Regional Government)

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