The Kurdistan Regional Government continues efforts to excavate mass graves, identify the remains of Anfal victims, and return them to Kurdistan, Interior Minister Reber Ahmed said during a ceremony marking the 43rd anniversary of the Barzani Anfal genocide.
Speaking at the commemoration, held under the title “Dying for the Survival of the Homeland,” Ahmed said the Anfal campaign was an attempt to erase the identity of the Kurdish people but ultimately failed.
He honored the approximately 8,000 Barzani victims and stressed that the sacrifices of Anfal victims and other martyrs contributed to the establishment and protection of the Kurdistan Region.
Ahmed reaffirmed the KRG’s commitment to working with the Iraqi federal government and international organizations to locate mass graves, identify victims, and return their remains to their families and homeland. He said the remains of more than 700 victims have so far been returned to Kurdistan.
The minister also praised the role of President Masoud Barzani in bringing the Anfal issue to international attention and seeking legal recognition of the genocide. He urged younger generations to preserve the memory of the victims while promoting unity and reconciliation rather than hatred and revenge.
Ahmed also addressed recent drone and missile attacks on the Kurdistan Region, saying that a report documenting the damage had been submitted to the federal government but that compensation had not yet been provided.
He called for stronger security guarantees to protect citizens and energy infrastructure and said discussions are underway to acquire air-defense and anti-drone systems in coordination with Iraqi military officials and specialized companies.
Regarding the planned conclusion of the international coalition’s military mission against ISIS, Ahmed said Iraq’s future relations with the United States and European countries would increasingly focus on bilateral partnerships, while the stability of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region remains a priority.
