Crimes Against the Kurds (Book 2)
ISBN/EAN: 978-90-834526-2-3
Title: Crimes Against the Kurds (Book 2)
Subtitle: Genocide in Iraq: The Anfal Campaign Against the Kurds
Editor: Shanidar Publisher Group
Contributor: Kurdistan Chronicle
Publisher: Shanidar
NUR Code: 689
NUR Description: War and Peace
Series: The Anfal Campaign
Series Number: 2
Edition: 1
Illustrations: Kurdistan Chronicle
Pages: 220
Language: English
Format: Paperback / Softback
Publication Date: October 20, 2024
Crimes Against the Kurds
Genocide in Iraq: The Anfal Campaign against the Kurds (Book 2)
This series, to be published by Shanidar with the support of Kurdistan Chronicle, presents a harrowing, meticulously detailed account of the atrocities committed against the Kurdish population during the Anfal Campaign orchestrated by Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime in the late 1980s. This book provides a vivid portrayal of the genocide, emphasizing the systematic and brutal efforts to annihilate Kurdish identity and existence.
The Anfal Campaign, named after a Quranic term meaning “spoils of war,” saw the Iraqi military execute a coordinated and ruthless attack on Kurdish regions. Serene Kurdish villages, once filled with life and culture, were transformed into scenes of devastation. Military convoys, tanks, and soldiers invaded these villages, while helicopters and jets dropped bombs, setting homes ablaze and causing widespread panic and destruction. Chemical weapons, including mustard gas and nerve agents, were deployed, adding an insidious layer of horror to the genocide. Entire families were found lifeless, their bodies bearing the brutal marks of chemical attacks.
The collaboration of Jash forces, Kurdish collaborators armed and incentivized by the regime, exacerbated the tragedy. These forces guided Iraqi troops to hidden villages and mountain refuges, betraying their own people and leading to further chaos and death. The campaign resulted in the obliteration of approximately 5,200 Kurdish villages, leaving behind a landscape of charred rubble and scorched earth.
The book delves into the background and context of the Kurdish struggle for autonomy, highlighting the socio-political dynamics that led to the Anfal Campaign. It provides a vivid visualization of the scenes, describing the vibrant Kurdish regions before the campaign and the subsequent horrors inflicted upon them. The psychological and socio-economic impact on the Kurdish population is explored, revealing the deep scars left by the genocide.
Despite the initial muted international response, the book documents how global attention eventually turned towards the plight of the Kurds. Efforts to document and acknowledge the genocide gained momentum, leading to significant legal and symbolic victories. The recognition of the Anfal Campaign as genocide by a court in The Hague in 2005 and the conviction of key figures of Saddam Hussein’s regime, including Ali Hassan al-Majid, “Chemical Ali,” in 2007, are notable milestones in the pursuit of justice.
The book emphasizes the importance of remembrance and the enduring resilience of the Kurdish people. Memorials and commemorations serve as solemn tributes to the victims, ensuring that the atrocities are not forgotten. The Anfal Campaign stands as a critical reminder of the devastating impact of state-sponsored violence and the urgent need for international vigilance to prevent such genocides in the future.
Overall, “Crimes Against the Kurds: Genocide in Iraq – The Anfal Campaign against the Kurds” is a poignant and powerful testament to the suffering and resilience of the Kurdish people. It underscores the need for justice, recognition, and a collective moral stance against oppression and violence.
