Halabja Mayor Criticizes Kurdistan Regional Government for Failing to Reconstruct City after Chemical Attack

The Halabja Mayor, Nuxsha Nasih, has publicly criticized the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for failing to meet the demands for the reconstruction of Halabja city, which was subjected to a chemical attack by the ex-regime of Saddam Hussein 35 years ago.

According to local sources, the KRG has been accused of not doing enough for the city’s reconstruction on the anniversary of the chemical attack. Nasih stated that the local authorities had requested services and projects for the city, but the KRG had not fulfilled these demands. She also highlighted the lack of response to requests for aid to the families of martyrs and victims of the attack.

The chemical attack, which occurred on March 16, 1988, resulted in the death of over 5,000 civilians and the displacement of thousands to Iranian refugee camps. Shockingly, 45 children remain missing 35 years after the massacre.

In light of these issues, Nasih has called on the KRG to take action and provide the services and projects requested for Halabja to aid its reconstruction efforts.