Halabja officially becomes Iraq’s 19th province after years of delays

Monument in Halabja commemorating victims of chemical attack, Halabja city, Iraqi Kurdistan. Photo: CC/FB

BAGHDAD,— Iraq’s parliament on Monday passed legislation formally designating Halabja as the country’s 19th province, ending years of political disputes and stalled efforts.

Halabja becomes the fourth province within the semi-autonomous Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

The bill was approved in a session attended by 178 lawmakers, according to parliamentary sources. The measure passed with cross-sectarian backing, including support from Kurdish, Sunni, and Shiite blocs.

Halabja, in the Kurdistan Region, has long awaited official recognition. A 2013 cabinet decision approved its separation from Sulaimani province, followed by regional acknowledgment in 2014.

The Iraqi Ministry of Interior recognized its administrative status in 2018, but legislative approval had remained pending.

The vote on Monday follows months of political maneuvering. Introduced in 2023, the bill had faced repeated postponements over quorum issues and disagreement among lawmakers.

Kurdish parties had at one point suspended participation in parliament to protest delays in scheduling the vote.

With the new status, Halabja will receive its own budget and administrative authority. Officials say this will pave the way for improved services and infrastructure, addressing years of underdevelopment.

Halabja holds significant historical weight as the site of the 1988 chemical weapons attack by Saddam Hussein’s regime, which killed an estimated 5,000 people. The city has since become a symbol of Kurdish resilience.

The Kurdistan Regional Government praised the decision and pledged full cooperation in implementing provincial governance. Celebrations erupted in Halabja following the announcement, with families of victims, local officials, and residents marking the occasion.