Halabja

Quick Facts

• Region: Kurdistan Region of Iraq
• Governorate/Province: Halabja Governorate
• Elevation: 900 m
• Population (year): 98,081 (2022)

Overview

Halabja is the capital of Halabja Governorate in northeastern Iraq, near the Iranian border. The city has become a symbol of Kurdish suffering and resilience because of the 1988 chemical attack.

Today, Halabja serves as a regional center and a place of remembrance for one of the most tragic episodes of the Iran-Iraq War.

History and Culture

On March 16, 1988, Halabja was subjected to a large-scale chemical attack that killed thousands of civilians and injured many more. The event remains central to the city’s identity and memory.

Sites and Landmarks

The Halabja Memorial Monument, also known as the Halabja Monument and Peace Museum, commemorates the victims of the 1988 chemical attack.

Notable People

Kurdish politician and academic Akram Hamid Begzadeh Jaff was born in Halabja.

Population

Population (2022 est.): 98,081.