Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union issues statement on 37th anniversary of Anfal massacres

ANKAWA, Iraq — On the 37th anniversary of the Anfal Genocide, the Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union (Huyodo d’Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) released a statement commemorating the unspeakable tragedy that devastated the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian, Yezidi, and Kurdish communities in northern Iraq. The statement emphasized remembrance of the victims and the importance of justice and recognition for those affected.

The Anfal campaign, a series of military operations in the late 1980s, resulted in significant loss of life, destruction of villages, and displacement of communities. According to the HBA, more than 200 villages associated with the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people were destroyed, alongside widespread suffering endured by other communities.

The HBA expressed concerns regarding the lack of recognition of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community’s experiences in official accounts of the Anfal campaign. The organization highlighted the need for acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by all affected groups, urging for a more inclusive historical narrative.

In its statement, the HBA called on federal and regional authorities to address issues of exclusion and inequity. It proposed actions such as recognizing the scope of the massacres, restoring destroyed villages, and providing reparations to the affected communities. The organization also urged greater efforts to ensure justice and reconciliation among Iraq’s diverse populations.

The statement concluded by paying tribute to the resilience of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community and their contributions to Iraq’s cultural and historical fabric. The HBA reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights and recognition of all communities and called for international support in safeguarding their heritage and future.