Halabja (,
The city lies at the base of what is often called the greater Hewraman region, stretching across the Iran-Iraq border. Halabja is surrounded by Hawraman and the Shnrwe range in the northeast, the Balambo range in the south and the Sirwan River in the west. Kurds in the city of Halabja mostly speak the Sorani dialect of Kurdish language, but the residents of the villages to the east of the city speak the Gorani language dialect.
History
Ancient history
The history of Halabja is believed to have started during the
Akkadian Empire period (24th century BC). The ancient city-kingdom of
Lullubi from that period is thought to be located in the Halabja area. The excavations at nearby archaeological sites like
Bakr Awa revealed a long history. In August 2009, three 17th century tombs were discovered in the Ababile district of the town.
Modern history
19th century and early 20th century
The cemetery there includes the tombs of several historical figures, such as Ahmed Mukhtar Jaff, Tayar Bag Jaff and
Lady Adela. Some sources, which claim that it was built by the
Ottoman Empire at about 1850. However, modern developments date from the early 20th century. The post office opened in 1924 and the first school opened the following year. The Qaysari Pasha and Hamid Beg bazaars were built in 1932. Electricity did not reach the city until 1940.
At the beginning of the 20th century, many United Kingdom soldiers were stationed in Halabja. During World War I, Adela Khanum saved the lives of several British soldiers, resulting in the British honoring her with the title Khan Bahadur, Princess of the Brave. She also oversaw the construction of a prison, a court of justice (of which she was the president) and a bazaar.
late 20th century
During the
Anfal genocide of the Iraqi government, which took place between March 1987 and May 1989, the neighborhoods Kani Ashqan and Mordana were erased as a reprisal for their support of the Kurdish
Peshmerga rebels.
But Halabja suffered much more during the campaign, in which
Saddam Hussein violently suppressed Kurdish revolts during the Iran–Iraq War.
Attack on Halabja (16 March 1988)
On 16 March 1988, during the final phase of the Iran–Iraq War, Iraqi government forces carried out a large-scale chemical-weapons assault on the Kurdish town of Halabja in northern Iraq.
In the immediate lead-up, the town had been briefly captured by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, supported by Iranian units, prompting a rapid Iraqi counter-attack.
Iraqi forces used artillery and aerial bombardment, followed by the deployment of chemical agents, which proved the most devastating element of the attack.
After-effects and legacy
Studies of survivors document serious long-term health, psychological and social consequences, including elevated rates of respiratory illness, cancer, disabilities and reduced quality of life.
In March 2010, the Iraqi courts officially recognized the Halabja attack as genocide against the Kurdish people.
The event remains a powerful symbol in the global campaign against chemical-weapons use and for Kurdish rights and recognition of past atrocities.
Kurdish autonomy
In the mountains to the east of Halabja, a militant Kurdish
Islamism group, Ansar al-Islam, occupied a small enclave in the period of 2000–2003. The area was overrun by
Peshmerga forces from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), with
United States air support, at the beginning of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. The town has remained a center of
Islamism in the
Kurdistan Region, however.
Just before Kurds gained some autonomy over the Iraqi Kurdistan region in 1991, which included Halabja, a new town was set up where some former Kurdish refugees later relocated. The new town called Halabja Taza (or New Halabja) today has an estimated 9,000 homes.[ Dagher, Sam. Uprooted for Decades, Iraqi Kurds Long for Home. Halabja Taza Journal. NY Times, 3 September 2009]
The Kurdistan Regional Government made some concentrated reconstruction efforts after 2003 in the old town and began rebuilding some of the bombed-out homes in Halabja and paving new roads. A memorial was also constructed for the victims of the chemical attacks. However, residents of Halabja have complained about the continued lack of basic services and necessities.
On the 2006 anniversary of the gas attack, violent demonstrations erupted in Halabja. An estimated 7,000 demonstrators protested against priorities in reconstruction, claiming that officials were not sincerely addressing the problems of the gas attack victims. Roadblocks were set up and the gas attack memorial museum was set afire. Police fired at protesters killing one 14-year-old boy and wounding many others.
Modern times
In 2008, plans were announced to construct an international
airport for the city.
On 12 November 2017 at 21:18 local time, an earthquake struck approximately south-southwest of Halabja.
On 14 April 2025, the Iraqi Parliament named Halabja the 19th province of Iraq.
Climate
Halabja has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (
Csa) with very hot summers and cool wet winters.
Topography
Halabja is located in the
Shahrizor plain, a fertile valley nestled in the foothills of the
Zagros Mountains in the
Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The city's elevation is around 700 meters above sea level. The surrounding area is characterized by mountainous terrain, with the
Hawraman Mountain range to the east, which plays a significant role in the city's climate and geography. The region's
topography includes rolling hills and valleys, making it ideal for agriculture, particularly in the fertile plains.
Twin Towns-Sister Cities
See also
-
Dujail
-
Human rights in Saddam Hussein's Iraq
-
Operation Red Dawn
-
Trial of Saddam Hussein
-
Anfal Campaign
External links
