Site of chemical attack
Iraqi environment minstry team conducts soil, water testing in Halabja
HALABJA — A team from the Iraqi Ministry of Environment has deployed to Halabja to conduct soil and water tests, aiming to ensure the city remains free from the lingering effects of the 1988 chemical weapons attack.
The attack employed mustard gas and nerve agents, such as sarin, causing immediate fatalities and long-term environmental concerns. Though scientific studies suggest certain chemicals can degrade over time, the potential for residual contamination remains a concern.
Sarheng Abdulrahman, director of Halabja’s Environmental Department, told 964media the team arrived Wednesday to gather soil and water samples.
“While prior tests showed minimal chemical weapons impact on Halabja, this visit seeks to offer further reassurance,” Abdulrahman said.
He added that the team also delivered 30,000 saplings to Halabja as part of their visit.
The director mentioned the team completed their work Wednesday, and the samples are now undergoing analysis. The results will be announced in due time, with a follow-up visit by the team scheduled after Ramadan for additional testing.Now a governorate recognized by the Kurdish Regional Government, Halabja is located near the Iran border, about 83 kilometers southeast of Sulaymaniyah.
The chemical attack on March 16, 1988, part of the Anfal campaign against the Kurds, caused well over 5,000 deaths and left more than 10,000 injured.
This brutal assault has left a lasting scar on the community, highlighting the devastating human and environmental impact of chemical warfare.