Iran Calls for Acknowledgment of Western Role in Halabja Chemical Attack

Iran’s Foreign Ministry commemorates the Halabja chemical attack’s anniversary, urging acknowledgment of foreign involvement. It highlights Saddam Hussein’s regime’s brutality and European complicity, while also addressing the ongoing suffering of victims. The attack, which killed approximately 5,000 civilians, remains a significant historical atrocity.

TEHRAN – On the 37th anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has called upon the international community to recognize the gravity of the event and its enduring consequences. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei underscored that time does not diminish the severity of the attack, executed by Saddam Hussein’s regime against the Kurdish town of Halabja, Iraq.

Baqaei further emphasized that the U.S. and specific European nations played a complicit role by providing technical support during the assault. He drew attention to the shared trauma felt by Iranians, notably those in Sardasht, alongside numerous Iranian military and civilian casualties who suffered from Saddam Hussein’s use of chemical weapons during the prolonged Iran-Iraq War.

The spokesperson also criticized European countries for their involvement in bolstering Iraq’s weapons program, remarking, “Europe’s unwillingness to acknowledge the truth and take responsibility undermines their credibility in matters of human rights and the rule of law.”

The Halabja attack occurred on March 16, 1988, amidst the latter phases of the Iran-Iraq War. The Iraqi air force, under Saddam Hussein’s order, unleashed a deadly arsenal of chemical agents, including mustard gas, sarin, tabun, and VX upon Halabja, a city that had allied with Iran.

This brutal attack resulted in the immediate deaths of approximately 5,000 individuals, predominantly civilians, inclusive of women and children, with thousands more suffering from chronic health issues due to the chemical exposure. The event stands as a grim reminder of the brutality faced by the population of Halabja for their perceived betrayal of Saddam’s regime.

In summary, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has utilized the anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack to urge the international community to acknowledge the involvement of foreign powers in the atrocity. The statement emphasizes the continuous suffering endured by the victims and critiques European nations for their lack of accountability. The attack itself remains a tragic event, marking a somber chapter in the history of chemical warfare and human rights violations.

Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com