ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Leaders of the Kurdistan Region on Thursday commemorated the 42^nd anniversary of the Barzani Genocide, stressing the necessity of confronting attempts to revive “chauvinistic” ideologies in Iraq.

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader and Former Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani honored the victims of the genocide and all of Kurdistan’s martyrs in a message on Thursday.

“Throughout the year, there are few days that do not carry the memory of a catastrophe, crime, or injustice inflicted upon the people of Kurdistan by the successive governments of Iraq,” wrote the Kurdish leader.

“The mindset behind these crimes was one of chauvinism and denial, which has brought nothing but misery and downfall to all of Iraq. Regrettably, there are still those who have not learned from history and continue to pursue politics rooted in that same mentality. It must be recognized by all that unless such a mindset is eradicated, Iraq will never find peace or stability,” he added.

On July 31, 1983, Iraqi regime forces, by orders of fallen dictator Saddam Hussein, abducted an estimated 8,000 members of the Barzani tribe from their homes in the Zagros mountains, before executing them in the deserts of southern Iraq and burying them in mass graves.

The massacre was part of the Baath regime’s wider genocidal campaign against the Kurdish population called Anfal, during which over 182,000 Kurds were killed and thousands of Kurdish villages were wiped out and destroyed.

“On this day of remembrance, we send thousands of salutes to the pure souls of the Anfal-ed Barzanis, to all the martyrs of the Anfal campaigns, and to all who gave their lives for the freedom of Kurdistan,” President Barzani concluded.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also marked the anniversary in a message, honoring all those who paid the ultimate price for Kurdistan’s rights and freedom.

“The patriotic people of Kurdistan will never forget these crimes, and generation after generation must understand that all components of the Kurdish nation have made great sacrifices to defend their national identity and fundamental rights, which they will never give up. They will continue to confront anyone who carries out attempts at occupation and attempts to revive chauvinistic ideologies or repeat the crimes of the past,” wrote the Kurdish premier.

Prime Minister Barzani reiterated calls on the Iraqi federal government to fulfill its legal and constitutional obligations toward the victims of the Baath regime’s oppressive and genocidal campaigns against the Kurdish people, stating that Baghdad must no longer ignore their rights.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani described the Barzani Genocide as “the continuation of a chain of crimes aimed at breaking the will of the Kurdish people and erasing their existence.”

“But in the face of Kurdish resilience and determination, that campaign ultimately failed and became a dark stain in the record of its perpetrators,” wrote Nechirvan Barzani.

“It is the responsibility of the Iraqi government to do whatever is necessary to deliver justice and offer redress to the families of the victims,” he added.