27 years ago, this day 16th March will remain a bitter, excruciatingly painful day in the memories of thousands of Kurdish people who were annihilated and decimated with hundreds more injured in the poison gas Halabja massacre in the north of Iraq as part of the Al-Anfal campaign, a genocide driven move by the central government of Iraq against the Kurdish and non-Arab population.
That morning, witnesses had seen up to 20 aircrafts, including Iraqi Migs and Mirages dropping what chemical experts say may have included mustard gas, nerve agents sarin, tabun, XV and possibly cyanide.
It is estimated that 5,000 people had died and between 7,000 to 10,000 were injured, most civilians. Dead children were found hiding under beds, in barrels and pots and in cupboards thinking the poisonous gas wouldn’t get them there. Injured survivors seen by the hospital staffs showed classic symptoms of mustard gas poisoning displaying ugly skin lesions and breathing difficulties. The deceased had looks of excruciating pain and were contorted in agony.
75% of the victims were women and children.
This instruction to attack innocent civilians in Halabja was given by Saddam Hussein and his cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid also known as “Chemical Ali” and he did it in cold-blood against his own people.
In December 2005, a court in The Hague rules that the killing of thousands of Kurds in Iraq in the 1980s was indeed an act of genocide in accordance of Article 2 of the 1949 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Fast forward to Iraq 2015.
The once oppressed group in Iraq is now at the forefront defending their country from militant invasion. And in this case-ISIS. The biggest threat, now, raining hell on the militant group ISIS, protecting northern Iraq are the Kurdish peshmerga (Those who face death) who are local tribal fighters who know the terrains of the mountains like the back of their hand.
These Kurdish peshmergas took charge, evolving from being tribal defenders to nationalist fighters to protect their land from being infiltrated and wrecked by ISIS and/or ISIL. And these are the same men and women who were targeted to be wiped out by the Al-Anfal Campaign, meant to sterilize Iraq of the Kurds and other non-Arab populations.
Despite what has been handed to them over 50 years ago, Kurds today have their priorities in the right place. Today Kurds have taken charge of protecting the sovereignty of their land and not the government.
On the 9th of March the Kurdish Peshmargas forces have launched an offensive against IS militants in the oil-rich Kirkuk province and it is estimated that the size of the peshmarga forces are between 80,000 to 250,000. Although they lack arsenal and ammunition, they still use old arms to defend boundaries and as of January 2015, 12 out of 36 brigades are under the control of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Kurdish peshmergas stand with their heads held high, with courage and bravery in their hearts to protect the land they love, undeterred by the fact they were Public Enemy No. 1 in the 80s in Iraq by the Ba’ath regime.
Today the Kurds have taken charge of protecting the sovereignty of their land, not the government.
Malaysians have much to learn on being loyal to one’s country and being loyal to one’s government.
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty ~ John F Kennedy
Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/16/newsid_4304000/4304853.stm