Medya News
Subscribe
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • Ecology
  • Economy
  • Culture & Art
  • Daily Show
  • More
    • Audio Articles
    • Newsletter
Videos
PODCAST
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • Ecology
  • Economy
  • Culture & Art
  • Daily Show
  • More
    • Audio Articles
    • Newsletter
Videos
PODCAST
No Result
View All Result
Medya News

Remembering the thousands who died in the Halabja Massacre

3:55 pm 16/03/2021
A A
Share this
FacebookTwitterRedditEmailLinkedInWhatsApp

The first chemical attack in the Middle East, known as the Halabja Massacre, was the last in a chain of massacres by the Iraqi regime, ruled then by Saddam Hussain. The massacres began in 1983 in the Barzan region, and eventually caused the deaths of more than 100,000 Kurds.

On 16 March 1988, Iran and Iraq were still at war and planes could be observed in the skies over Halabja, a Kurdish town in Iraq that was controlled by the Peshmerga forces.

While some people rushed into shelters, others continued their daily routine.

In a matter of seconds, Halabja was shelled. Falling bombs broke all the windows, but the second round of bombing was different. Eight MIG-23 war planes shelled Halabja with chemical weapons filled with poisoned gas.

Later, survivors shared their memories of those horrifying moments. They said that “Halabja smelled like apples”. The smell of apples filled the homes and the shops and the streets of Halabja. But this was actually the smell of death.

More than 5,000 Kurds, including babies, children, women, and the elderly, are estimated to have been killed when Saddam Hussein’s forces dropped mustard and sarin gases on Halabja.

Known as biggest chemical weapons attack ever directed against a civilian-populated area, the Halabja Massacre targeted Kurds who were opposed to Saddam Hussein’s regime.

The attack left 7,000 people wounded, while many residents of Halabja still suffer the after effects of the chemical gas. Their physical health is compromised, but there is also the traumatising effects of what they saw, images that are still vivid 33 years after the massacre.

Ramazan Öztürk was among the first journalists who reached Halabja after the bombing.

In one of his photographs, Ömer Xaver is seen dead on some stairs, holding his son, whom he was trying to save.

This striking photograph, titled “Silent Witness”, is considered a frightening but permanent symbol of the Halabja Massacre.

Share this
FacebookTwitterRedditEmailLinkedInWhatsApp

Related Posts

UK union ASLEF repeats call for Öcalan’s freedom

UK union ASLEF repeats call for Öcalan’s freedom

May 19, 2022
NATO supporters’ silence on Erdoğan is pitiful: Swedish politician

NATO supporters’ silence on Erdoğan is pitiful: Swedish politician

May 19, 2022
Medya News Daily Review: 19 May 2022

Medya News Daily Review: 19 May 2022

May 19, 2022
Advocacy group protest against state-affiliated femicide

Advocacy group protest against state-affiliated femicide

May 19, 2022
Turkey vetoes NATO early talks with Sweden and Finland

Turkey vetoes NATO early talks with Sweden and Finland

May 19, 2022
Chemical weapons in Turkey’s invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan – an interview with Steve Sweeney

Chemical weapons in Turkey’s invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan – an interview with Steve Sweeney

May 19, 2022

Videos

UK union ASLEF repeats call for Öcalan’s freedom
POLITICS

UK union ASLEF repeats call for Öcalan’s freedom

May 19, 2022

All News

UK union ASLEF repeats call for Öcalan’s freedom

NATO supporters’ silence on Erdoğan is pitiful: Swedish politician

Medya News Daily Review: 19 May 2022

Advocacy group protest against state-affiliated femicide

Turkey vetoes NATO early talks with Sweden and Finland

Chemical weapons in Turkey’s invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan – an interview with Steve Sweeney

Medya News

Impressum

About us

Privacy Policy

Subscribe
Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • World
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • Ecology
  • Economy
  • Culture & Art
  • Daily Show
  • Newsletter
  • Authors
  • Podcast

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Loading
Contact