Iraq Officially Recognizes Halabja as 19th Province

The Iraqi parliament has officially recognized Halabja as the country's 19th province, marking a significant milestone after years of political delays. This decision, which received support from various political factions, is seen as a long-overdue act of justice for a region that suffered immensely during the 1988 chemical attack by Saddam Hussein's regime, which killed approximately 5,000 people. Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid hailed the recognition as a historic step toward honoring the victims and achieving retribution for the atrocities committed during the Anfal campaign against the Kurds. The establishment of Halabja as a province has been in the works since 2013, with previous unilateral declarations from the Kurdistan Regional Government in 2014 and acknowledgment from the Interior Ministry in 2018. The new province will encompass Halabja district and neighboring towns, reinforcing its historical and symbolic significance for the Kurdish people. The decision has been welcomed by international representatives from the UK and Italy, emphasizing the importance of supporting Halabja's development and acknowledging its tragic past.