Video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
GARMIYAN, Kurdistan Region — Anfal survivors have told Rudaw of their personal experiences of displacement and loss, 33 years since the genocide ended.
“Two of my uncles returned to the village in the hope of rescuing people. One of my uncles had lost all his children. They were arrested. I remained alone with one of my aunts. I was working in a restaurant by day, and would spend many of my nights crying,” said Sabah Najmadi, who lost 10 members of his family.
Anfal - the eighth chapter in the Quran - was the codename used by Baathists for the slaughter of Kurds. Ceremonies are usually held each year on April 14 to mark its anniversary. Wednesday marks 33 years since the conclusion of the genocide.
“When the Anfal happened and we left the village, my father said goodbye to Glalkawa, he looked back at the village and said, ‘Glalkawa, I will not see you again,’” said Salih Rostam, who lost eight relatives.
The Anfal campaign took place over eight phases, beginning in 1986. More than 182,000 people fell victim to the genocide and more than 4,500 villages were destroyed, according to a Kurdistan Parliament report obtained by Rudaw English.
The army never entered the village, but it was bombed. The army entered other villages near us, and took the people to Qalaqochali and Mla Sura, and from there to Quratu, and then to Nugra Salman and Dubz. They took them to their deaths,” said Sabah.
Although the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) does provide assistance to families of the victims, some, including Salih, still believe that not enough has been done.
“If we die, no one will know that Anfal happened. There are no Anfal stories, there is no documentation.”
The Iraqi parliament recognized Anfal as a genocide on April 14, 2008. Military commanders were handed the death sentence, with Ali Hassan Majeed hanged in 2011.
Translation by Dilan Sirwan
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