Iraqi Leadership Takes Steps to Restore Fayli Kurds’ Rights

Reports 06:53 PM - 2025-04-02

Faylis’ Monument.

The President of the Republic of Iraq, Dr Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, reaffirmed that the Fayli Kurds are a genuine and integral part of Iraq, stressing the need to ensure their rights.

In a post on his X account marking Fayli Martyrs’ Day, President Rashid stated: “On Fayli Martyrs’ Day, we solemnly remember those who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s freedom. We reflect on the historical role of the Fayli Kurds, their resistance against tyranny, and the immense sacrifices they endured, particularly during the forced displacement operations.”

His Excellency continued: “The Fayli Kurds are an authentic and fundamental part of Iraq, and it is essential to guarantee their legitimate rights and ensure their participation in political life in a manner that contributes to Iraq’s progress and prevents the return of dictatorship.”

Iraqi PM Declares 2nd April as Fayli Martyrs’ Day

In a related development, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has directed that 2nd April be officially recognised as Iraqi Fayli Martyrs’ Day. He also announced plans for the reconstruction of historical residential areas along the border in Diyala and Wasit governorates.

The PM’s media office issued a statement confirming that al-Sudani met on Wednesday with a delegation of families of Fayli Kurd martyrs to mark the occasion. He stated: “Through the presence of an advisor for Fayli Kurd affairs, we have decided to officially designate 2nd April as Fayli Martyrs’ Day and have allocated a plot of land for a dedicated Fayli Martyrs’ Cemetery to honour their memory.”

Al-Sudani further noted that “a coordinator has been appointed to cooperate with the Ministry of Interior to address issues related to citizenship and legal documentation, ensuring the implementation of the decisions of the Diwan Order Committee No. 33 of 2019.”

He also instructed “coordination with the relevant courts to follow up on cases concerning the Fayli Kurds and urged the families of martyrs to pursue legal action against those responsible for the atrocities committed against this Iraqi community during the former regime.”

Additionally, the PM directed the Diyala and Wasit governorates to restore historical residential areas along the border and to allocate job opportunities for the Fayli community.

The Forced Displacement of the Fayli Kurds

The expulsion and displacement of the Fayli Kurds from their homeland began in the mid-1970s and continued until the late 1980s. This crime started with the revocation of their Iraqi citizenship, stripping them of their right to reside in Iraq. Thousands of Fayli families from the Garmaser, Kamandali, Qarlus, Qazaniya, Badra, and Jassan regions were forcibly displaced to Iran. Additionally, hundreds of young Fayli men were separated from their families and subjected to an uncertain fate.

In 2014, the Iraqi Supreme Criminal Court sentenced former Ba’ath regime officials to imprisonment and execution for their role in the killing, displacement, and denationalisation of the Fayli Kurds.

Among the most serious convictions were crimes related to their forced displacement, revocation of citizenship, confiscation of property, and their use as human shields on the front lines during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). There were also cases of Fayli Kurds being subjected to chemical weapons testing.

According to estimates, the Fayli population in Iraq exceeds three million people, comprising 15 tribes.



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