What Happened On March 16th?

On March 16, 1988, a horrific massacre of the Kurdish people was deemed as one of the most inhumane ever. An estimated 5,000 civilians were lost due to a brutal chemical attack on the town of Halabja, situated in Iraqi Kurdistan. This act of barbarity, orchestrated by the regime of Saddam Hussein, scared people and nations all over the world.

The Halabja attack occurred during the brutal Anfal Campaign, a series of genocidal attacks launched by the Iraqi regime against the Kurdish population in the closing stages of the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). The Kurds, who had sided with Iran in the conflict, were viewed with suspicion and targeted for systematic repression.

In the days leading up to the chemical assault, the town endured conventional bombardments with rockets and napalm, inflicting heavy casualties and causing widespread panic. To put an end to the war, chemical weapons then became the weapon of choice, allowing for mass casualties with minimal Iraqi troop exposure.

While mustard gas is often associated with the Halabja attack, it wasn’t the only chemical weapon used. Reports suggest a nerve agent, possibly tabun or sarin, was also deployed, leading to a wider range of horrific symptoms among the victims.

The attack still extends far beyond the immediate death toll. Survivors continue to grapple with long-term health problems, including respiratory issues, birth defects, and various forms of cancer.

Adil Majeed, a survivor, recalled the event and reminisced on losing eight members of his family. “After 33 years I cannot forget them,” he sobbed. “I wish I could embrace their relics.”

Despite international condemnation, it took over two decades for justice to be served. Ali Hassan al-Majid, Saddam Hussein’s cousin nicknamed “Chemical Ali” for his role in chemical weapons attacks, was finally captured and sentenced to death in 2010.