Iraqi President Signs Halabja Provincialisation Law

Iraq 12:09 PM - 2025-04-29

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid.

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid signed the Halabja Provincialisation Law on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, marking a historic milestone in Iraq’s administrative and political landscape. The law, which will be officially published in the Iraqi Gazette, formalises Halabja’s status as Iraq’s 19th province and the fourth province within the Kurdistan Region.

President Rashid signed the law at precisely 11:35 A.M. local time, a moment of profound significance as it coincides with the exact time Halabja was subjected to a devastating chemical weapons attack by the former Ba'ath regime in 1988-a tragedy that claimed over 5,000 lives and left thousands more injured, many of whom continue to endure the consequences to this day.

Nukhsha Nasih, the Acting Governor of Halabja, expressed her gratitude and appreciation following the signing of the Halabja Provincialisation Law by the President of Iraq.

“We extend our sincere thanks to the President of the Republic for his steadfast support of the Halabja Provincialisation Law and for signing it into effect today,” she stated.

Following the signing ceremony, President Rashid presented the pen used to sign the law to Acting Governor Nasih. She announced that the pen would be preserved at the Halabja Monument as a symbol of this historic occasion.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) had previously recognised Halabja as its fourth province on 13 March 2014, but federal recognition was delayed for more than a decade due to political disagreements and legislative postponements. The Halabja Provincialisation Law, which had been under parliamentary consideration for over a year, was finally approved after overcoming disputes among lawmakers and was subsequently submitted to the presidency on 27 April 2025.

Halabja province comprises one district and four sub-districts-Sirwan, Khurmal, Biara, and Bamo-encompassing a total of 166 villages. The elevation of Halabja to provincial status is widely regarded as a step toward addressing the sacrifices and suffering endured by its residents and is expected to facilitate greater access to federal resources, development initiatives, and public services.

The passage of this law is seen as a long-awaited act of justice and recognition for Halabja’s victims and their families. Iraqi and Kurdish leaders have hailed the decision as a pivotal moment, expressing hope that it will lead to meaningful compensation, reconstruction, and sustained development for the province and its people.

The law consists of four articles

Based on the first paragraph of Article (61) of the Constitution of the Republic of Iraq, the Iraqi Council of Representatives passed the following law:

Halabja Provinsialisation Law of  the Republic of Iraq:

Article One:
A governorate shall be established under the name of Halabja Governorate within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, making it the nineteenth governorate in the Republic of Iraq, with Halabja District as its administrative centre.

Article Two:
The Council of Ministers of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq shall determine the governorate’s boundaries and administrative divisions.

Article Three:
The relevant authorities shall implement the provisions of this law.

Article Four:
This law shall come into effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette (Iraqi Gazette).

Rationale for the Law:

In the interest of public welfare and in recognition of Halabja’s significant urban and population growth, as well as the immense sacrifices made by its people, this law has been enacted. The city suffered severe human, material, and environmental damage due to its bombing with banned chemical weapons by the former regime in March 1988. This legislation also aims to honour the international recognition Halabja has received as a result of these sacrifices.

Administrative boundaries of Halabja province

According to the map approved by Iraq’s Ministry of Planning Halabja town is the provincial capital and includes the sub-districts of Sirwan, Khurmal, Biara, and Bamo within the province’s jurisdiction.

The province’s external border is shared with the Islamic Republic of Iran, while its internal borders adjoin Sulaymaniyah and Diyala provinces. Khurmal remains classified as a sub-district in the official documentation, despite its elevation to district status by the Kurdistan Regional Government.

Halabja’s elevation to provincial status grants it administrative independence, budgetary authority, and a dedicated governance structure, marking a significant milestone after years of political negotiation and delays. The province, which was previously part of Sulaymaniyah, now becomes the fourth province within the Kurdistan Region and the nineteenth province of Iraq.



PUKMEDIA