Anfal 2: A Descent into Horror
During the second phase of the Anfal Campaign, spanning from March 22 to April 2, 1988, the Qara Dagh region, including Bazian and Darbandikhan in the Suleimaniya governorate, became the next target of Saddam Hussein’s ruthless campaign. This phase saw a continuation of the Iraqi regime’s brutal tactics, with several villages subjected to poison gas attacks.
Vivid Visuals of the Scenes
The attacks began abruptly on March 22, immediately following the Newroz celebrations, catching the Peshmerga fighters off guard. The festive air that had marked the Kurdish New Year quickly turned to chaos and terror as the Iraqi military launched its offensive.
Villages such as Safaran, Sewsenan, Belekjar, Serko, and Meyoo became the sites of unimaginable horror as toxic gas clouds descended upon them. Imagine waking up to a normal morning, only to find the sky darkening with the approach of chemical-laden bombs. The serene valleys and rugged hillsides of Qara Dagh were engulfed in a deadly fog, suffocating the life out of everything it touched. The gas infiltrated homes, leaving families gasping for air and writhing in pain as the chemicals burned their lungs and skin. The once peaceful landscape transformed into a hellish vision of death and despair, with bodies of the fallen strewn across the streets and fields.
The Peshmerga, though seasoned in guerrilla warfare, found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity of this attack. Despite their valiant efforts, the surprise and the lethal nature of the chemical weapons inflicted severe casualties among the fighters. The sight of fallen comrades and the desperate attempts to shield civilians from the onslaught only added to the chaos and heartbreak of the situation.
Mass Displacement and Detention
As the poison gas wreaked havoc, the civilian population of the Qara Dagh region was plunged into panic. Entire villages emptied as families fled towards Suleimaniya, hoping to escape the lethal reach of the Iraqi forces. The exodus was a scene of utter desperation: families hastily gathering their belongings, children crying in confusion, and elderly villagers struggling to keep pace. The dusty roads and mountain paths became rivers of humanity, moving en masse away from the death that pursued them.
However, escape was not easy. Many fugitives were intercepted by Iraqi forces. The grim reality of the campaign became apparent as men were systematically separated from women and children. The scenes of separation were heart-wrenching: husbands and fathers pulled away, knowing they might never see their families again. The cries and protests of the women and children did nothing to sway the soldiers, whose orders were clear and unyielding. The men, taken away in military trucks, vanished into the unknown, their fates sealed by the cruelty of the regime. They were never seen again, likely executed and buried in mass graves; their lives extinguished in the name of state repression.
The women and children faced their own harrowing journey. Transported to internment camps, they were subjected to deplorable conditions. The camps were overcrowded, with inadequate food, water, and medical care. The psychological trauma of separation, compounded by the loss of their homes and loved ones, left deep scars on the survivors.
The Aftermath
Those who managed to escape the immediate grasp of the Iraqi forces fled to the Garmian region, seeking refuge and safety. The sight of these exhausted, traumatized families arriving in Garmian painted a stark picture of the human cost of the Anfal Campaign. Their stories of survival, filled with scenes of horror and acts of bravery, added to the growing narrative of Kurdish suffering and resilience.
Conclusion
Anfal Phase II, though of shorter duration, was marked by an intense and brutal use of chemical weapons that inflicted severe casualties and widespread displacement. The horrors experienced by the Kurdish population during this phase underscore the extreme lengths to which Saddam Hussein’s regime was willing to go to crush resistance and terrorize civilians. The vivid and tragic scenes of chemical attacks, mass detentions, and the desperate flight of villagers highlight the profound human cost of the Anfal Campaign, a cost that continues to shape Kurdish identity and their enduring quest for justice and autonomy.
Bron: Fragment uit het boek Crimes against the Kurds – Boek 1
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