The event was attended by Iraqi Health Minister Salih al-Hasnawi and Iraq’s first lady Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, along with families of Anfal survivors and relatives of the victims.

Saif al-Badr, spokesperson for the health ministry, emphasized the significance of the matter, stating, "This matter is a priority for the agenda of the ministry. Thankfully, 172 remains were identified." He noted that the ministry continues its efforts to identify genocide victims as new mass graves are discovered.

While the identification process has faced criticism for its slow pace, al-Badr explained that the challenges arise from the complicated nature of testing and the associated high costs. "The DNA tests are not slow, they are difficult, complicated, and costly. Tens of years pass after the incidents, and the remains decompose. The more time passes, identifying becomes more difficult and complicated," he explained.

The Anfal campaign, which began in 1986, resulted in the killing of over 182,000 Kurds in a two-year span and the destruction of around 4,500 villages in the Kurdistan Region. Iraq’s Supreme Court officially recognized Anfal as a crime against humanity in 2008. Despite this acknowledgment, survivors and families of victims have seen limited progress in addressing their needs or providing justice.

The recent ceremony in Baghdad marks a symbolic step in the ongoing efforts to acknowledge and commemorate the victims of Anfal. (ILKHA)