Halabja and Hawraman bid farewell to drowned Karbala girl after nine-day search

HALABJA — Residents across Halabja and the Hawraman area gathered Thursday to bid farewell to a 12-year-old girl from Karbala whose body was recovered from the Zalm stream, with communities lining streets and markets to honor her before she was returned to her family in southern Iraq.

Ruqaya Rafid disappeared on June 9 while visiting the Ahmad Awa Waterfall area with her family. Her mother said the girl approached the water around 5 p.m. to take photographs and did not return. Civil defense teams recovered her body Wednesday nearly 300 meters downstream from where she entered the water, ending an extensive search involving rescue crews and volunteers from across the Kurdistan Region.

Although the body was scheduled to travel directly from Halabja to Karbala on Thursday morning, residents of Khurmal asked that the convoy first pass through their town so they could bid farewell to what many called their departed guest. Men, women and children lined the streets and markets carrying flowers as the procession moved through Khurmal, and the scene was repeated in Said Sadiq, where residents stood along both sides of the road to pay their respects.

Volunteer ambulance crews from Sulaymaniyah transported the body to Karbala free of charge, while another team of volunteers accompanied the convoy south to support the family and attend condolence ceremonies. The girl’s father, overwhelmed by the response from residents of Sharazur and Hawraman, expressed his gratitude during the procession. “I ask God to make this effort and hardship a reward for you on the Day of Judgment,” he said.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani offered condolences and praised residents of Halabja and Hawraman for their role in the search. “I extend my condolences to the family and relatives of Ruqaya Rafid, whose body was recovered yesterday from the waters of the Zalm stream,” he said. “I have great appreciation and gratitude for the beloved, generous and humanitarian people of Halabja governorate and Hawraman, who over the past several days made tireless and extraordinary efforts to recover the body of the young tourist from Karbala.” He also thanked Halabja Governor Nukhsha Nasih, security forces, civil defense teams and volunteers.

Referring to a series of recent drownings, Barzani called for stronger safety measures at tourist sites. “The relevant government authorities must strengthen the necessary safety measures and guidance at tourist locations, especially near rivers, dams and water springs,” he said, urging residents and visitors to follow safety instructions.