By Muhammed Haroon –

Today, the 16th of March 2026, marks the 38th anniversary of the Halabja Massacre. This tragic attack was an act of ethnic cleansing of the Kurdish people under Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi regime.

Halabja was targeted by Iraqi military officer, Ali Hassan al-Majid, commonly known as “Chemical Ali”, who dropped chemical weapons against the Kurdish people.

Thousands Killed in Minutes

The Halabja massacre remains one of the biggest chemical weapon attacks on civilians, killing around 5,000 people, including children, with thousands more injured.

The attack devastated Halabja, with survivors describing the streets filled with bodies and families killed whilst trying to escape the deadly poisons in the air.

The chemical gases caused severe burns, internal damage, blindness and respiratory failure, causing life-changing injuries.

Some victims died immediately, while others suffered painful deaths in the weeks that followed.

The Long-Term Health and Psychological Impact on Survivors

Though the Halabja massacre took place in 1988, the consequences of the massacre did not end in 1988.

For many Kurdish families, the trauma continues across generations, with survivors experiencing higher rates of cancer, breathing difficulties, heart problems, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Reports have also shown that there has been a higher level of miscarriages, infertility and birth defects, showing the long-term impact of exposure to chemical weapons, which has impacted genetics. (https://reliefweb.int/node/202153)

Halabja and the Wider Anfal Genocide

This horrifying act is widely recognised as part of a broader genocide during the Anfal campaign, where thousands of villages were destroyed, and tens of thousands of Kurdish people were murdered.

The tragedy has become a symbol of powerful resilience for the Kurdish people, and the ongoing struggle for justice.

From Iraq to the UK: The Kurdish Diaspora’s Journey

The legacy of Halabja shaped Kurdish communities far beyond Iraq.

Many Kurdish people fled conflict and persecution in the Middle East and eventually built new lives in countries such as the United Kingdom, in places like Kirklees, in towns like Huddersfield.

Kurdish Communities in Kirklees Today

Today, Kurdish people in Kirklees contribute to the cultural diversity, economic life, and social fabric of the region.

Many are active in community organisations and campaigns for human rights, with their presence demonstrating how communities affected by genocide and displacement can rebuild their lives while keeping their history and identity alive.

Ultimately, the Halabja massacre is a reminder of the devastating consequences of chemical warfare and ethnic cleansing, but it also highlights the resilience of Kurdish people around the world.