Published by Shanidar in collaboration with Kurdistan Chronicle, this series presents a profound and compelling exploration of the suffering and resilience of the Kurdish people. It sheds light on the relentless persecution they have endured for decades, transcending borders and political regimes. Each book serves as a powerful testament to their unwavering spirit, enduring strength, and the unyielding determination to preserve their identity, culture, and humanity in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Book 1: Crimes Against the Kurds: Genocide in Iraq – The Anfal Campaign Against the Kurds
From 1980 to 1988, Iran and Iraq waged the longest conventional war of the 20th century, a brutal conflict that reshaped the region through relentless violence and widespread destruction. Cities and villages were obliterated, chemical weapons poisoned the air, and countless lives were forever scarred. While the war remains a defining chapter for those who endured it, it is a conflict that is often misunderstood or overlooked in much of the world, especially in the West.
Of all the victims of this devastating war, the Kurds suffered among the most. Their lands, situated along the contested border between Iraq and Iran, became a deadly battleground. For centuries, the Kurds have been viewed with suspicion and hostility by neighboring powers, regarded as perpetual enemies. During the war, this historical mistrust culminated in unimaginable atrocities.
Over a thousand Kurdish villages were reduced to rubble, and more than half a million Kurds lost their lives. Fertile plains and rolling hills, once the lifeblood of Kurdish communities, were scarred by craters and stained with blood. The air, which once carried the melodies of Kurdish songs and the whispers of nature, now reverberated with the sounds of explosions, the screams of the wounded, and the cries of those mourning their loved ones.
Idyllic villages were transformed into dystopian nightmares as chemical weapons cast a toxic shadow over the landscape. Clouds of poison drifted silently, leaving behind trails of death and unspeakable suffering. Men, women, and children, their skin blistered and eyes burning, collapsed in convulsions, gasping for breath. Survivors of these attacks, marked by both physical scars and psychological torment, will carry the weight of these horrors for the rest of their lives.
Yet even amid such devastation, the Kurdish spirit remained unbroken. Families sought refuge in makeshift shelters, clinging to unity as their only solace. Elders, the keepers of Kurdish culture and memory, recounted tales of a life before the war, nurturing resilience and identity in the younger generation. Despite centuries of oppression, the Kurds persevered, their fight for survival and recognition undeterred by the atrocities they faced.
The Iran–Iraq War, with its unprecedented destruction and staggering human cost, stands as a powerful testament to the horrors of conflict. For the Kurds, it represents a chapter of profound suffering, yet also of unyielding resilience and hope. Their story, deeply intertwined with the history of the region, is one that demands recognition beyond its borders – a reminder of the enduring impact of war on those who are too often forgotten.
Through the lens of Kurdish suffering, this narrative serves not only as a record of loss, but also as a call for justice, understanding, and an end to the cycles of violence that have defined the region for far too long.
Book 2: Crimes Against the Kurds: Genocide in Iraq – The Anfal Campaign Against the Kurds
This second volume in the series offers a harrowing and meticulously detailed account of the atrocities inflicted upon the Kurdish population during the Anfal Campaign, orchestrated by Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime in the late 1980s. Through vivid storytelling and comprehensive documentation, this book sheds light on the systematic and brutal efforts to eradicate Kurdish identity and existence.
The Anfal Campaign: A genocide in the making
Named after a Quranic term meaning “spoils of war,” the Anfal Campaign was a coordinated and ruthless military operation targeting Kurdish regions. Once serene villages, brimming with culture and life, were turned into desolate landscapes of devastation.
Military convoys, tanks, and troops invaded these areas, supported by helicopters and jets dropping bombs that razed homes and sent waves of terror through the population. The use of chemical weapons, including mustard gas and nerve agents, added an unspeakable layer of horror to the genocide. Entire families were found lifeless, their bodies bearing the cruel evidence of chemical attacks.
The betrayal by Jash forces – Kurdish collaborators armed and incentivized by the regime –worsened the tragedy. These collaborators revealed the locations of hidden villages and mountain refuges, leading to the deaths of countless innocents. By the end of the campaign, approximately 5,200 Kurdish villages had been obliterated, leaving behind nothing but charred rubble and scorched earth.
Context and impact
The book explores the historical and socio-political dynamics that led to the Kurdish struggle for autonomy and, ultimately, to the Anfal Campaign. It contrasts the vibrant, flourishing Kurdish regions before the genocide with the horrors inflicted upon them during this dark chapter.
The psychological and socioeconomic toll of the genocide is examined in depth, revealing the profound scars left on the Kurdish population. Survivors faced enduring trauma, loss of loved ones, and the destruction of their cultural and economic foundations.
Global response and justice
Initially, the international community’s response to the Anfal Campaign was muted. However, the book traces the eventual shift in global attention toward the Kurdish plight. Efforts to document and acknowledge the genocide gained momentum, culminating in significant legal and symbolic victories.
Notable milestones include:
These legal proceedings marked pivotal steps in the pursuit of justice for the Kurdish people, offering a measure of accountability for the atrocities committed.
Resilience and remembrance
Despite immense suffering, the Kurdish people have demonstrated extraordinary resilience. Memorials and commemorative events now serve as solemn tributes to the victims, ensuring that the atrocities of the Anfal Campaign are never forgotten.
The book emphasizes the critical importance of remembrance as a tool for healing and as a deterrent against future genocides. It stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of state-sponsored violence and the urgent need for international vigilance and action to prevent such atrocities.
Book 3: Crimes Against the Kurds: Legal Qualifications of Operation al-Anfal of Actions Taken against the Yezidis
By Professor Dr. Ireneusz C. Kaminski
This volume offers a comprehensive legal analysis of the systematic crimes committed against the Kurdish people, focusing on the Anfal Campaign and the 2014 Yezidi Genocide perpetrated by ISIS. Through meticulous legal expertise, the book aims to solidify the classification of these atrocities as genocide under international law.
Part 1: Legal qualification of operation al-Anfal
The Anfal Campaign was a series of brutal military campaigns conducted by the Iraqi Ba’ath regime from 1988, targeting Kurdish civilians. The legal analysis details:
The book explores how the international community, despite evidence and recognition in some countries, has yet to universally acknowledge these acts as genocide.
Part 2: Legal qualification of the actions taken against the Yezidis
This section examines the genocide committed against the Yezidi community during the ISIS invasion of Sinjar:
The book also highlights efforts by the Kurdistan Regional Government and international actors to seek justice for the Yezidi people, including the European Parliament’s recognition of the genocide.
Key themes:
The Kurdish struggle for recognition: Both historical and contemporary crimes against Kurds reflect broader issues of marginalization, statelessness, and the fight for identity.
Miran Abraham is a well-known Kurdish novelist and director of Shanidar Publishing House.
