Man shoots dead his wife and daughter in Halabja, Iraqi Kurdistan

HALABJA, Iraqi Kurdistan,— A Kurdish mother and her teenage daughter were shot and killed Saturday in Halabja, local authorities said, with police suspecting the women’s husband and father as the perpetrator.

The killings occurred around 7:30 p.m. in the Baxi Miri neighborhood, according to a statement from the Halabja police directorate.

A reporter first alerted police to the presence of the two bodies inside their home. The victims were identified as a 54-year-old mother and her 17-year-old daughter.

A Halabja police officer told reporters that gunfire caused the deaths. Their bodies have been taken to the forensic medical department of Halabja, where authorities are conducting examinations.

Later on Saturday, the Kurdistan Region Security Agency reported the arrest of a suspect in connection with the killings. According to the agency, the suspect fled after the attack but was apprehended in less than two hours.

Security officials said the killings were linked to what they described as a “social dispute,” a term commonly used in the region to refer to domestic violence or honor-related motives.

The General Directorate of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region Security said Sharazur Security authorities took immediate action following a judicial order to investigate the case. They confirmed the suspect is facing charges for the murder of the mother and daughter.

Domestic violence and honor-related killings remain a serious issue in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Advocacy groups reported that 13,017 domestic violence cases were documented across the region in 2024. Many of these incidents involve so-called social disputes, which can escalate into fatal violence.

Despite repeated commitments from the Kurdistan Regional Government to address gender-based violence, activists say enforcement of the law remains weak. Support services for survivors are limited, and cultural norms often prevent effective intervention.

Women’s rights groups continue to call for stronger legal measures, tougher penalties for perpetrators, and increased resources for victims. They warn that without concrete actions, cases of domestic abuse and honor-related killings are unlikely to decline in the region.

(With files from Agencies)