Diplomatic Missions Congratulate Halabja on Recognition as New Governorate

Several Western diplomatic missions welcomed the Iraqi parliament’s recognition of Halabja as a separate governorate on Monday. Read More: Iraqi Parliament Recognizes Halabja as

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Diplomatic Missions Congratulate Halabja on Recognition as New Governorate
Wladimir van Wilgenburg
April 15, 2025

Several Western diplomatic missions welcomed the Iraqi parliament’s recognition of Halabja as a separate governorate on Monday.

Read More: Iraqi Parliament Recognizes Halabja as Separate Governorate

In a post on X, the Netherlands’ Consulate General in Erbil on X congratulated “the people and government of Halabja.”

Moreover, Dutch Ambassador to Iraq Janet Alberda visited Acting Halabja Governor Nuxsha Nasih one day after the historic recognition of Halabja as the 19th Iraqi governorate.

The UK Consulate General also welcomed the Iraqi Parliament’s decision to recognize Halabja as “an important and positive step.”

The U.S. Consulate General said they were encouraged “by the Iraqi parliament’s vote on the bill to recognize Halabja as a province and we look forward to continued discussions on U.S. educational and economic engagement in Halabja.”

The Czech Consulate General also heralded the establishment of the new Governorate of Halabja, and wished the first female Governor, Nuxsha Nasih, “continuous enthusiasm and success in her new role.”

Italy’s Consulate General in Erbil also welcomed the establishment of Halabja Governorate, calling it “A historic step that honors the memory and the future of the city. We wish for relief and prosperity, and hope it will never happen again anywhere in the world,” Italy’s Consulate General said, referring to the 1988 chemical attack on Halabja.

On March 16, the 37th anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack – in which 5,000 civilians were killed with chemical weapons by the former Ba’ath regime – was commemorated.

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also welcomed the decision.

“This decision is the least that can be done to acknowledge the suffering and pain endured by the patriotic and devoted people of Halabja,” Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stated.

Senior Kurdish politician Hoshyar Zebari said in a post on X on Monday that the proposal to make Halabja a separate governorate was first presented in 2013 by then-Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani to the Council of Ministers, chaired by Hussein Shahristani, and received initial approval during former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s term.

However, the decision was never implemented. In March 2023, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani announced the government’s approval of a draft law to establish Halabja as a governorate. However, the Iraqi Parliament only recognized this law today after several delayed sessions.


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