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| Iraq |
| About Halabja, the PKK/PJAK’s latest fortifications in Halabja and the surrounding areas |
| 2026-07-28 |
Text: Halabja, the PKK/PJAK’s latest fortifications in Halabja and the surrounding areas, Iran’s possible plans, and the current situation. To understand the PKK/PJAK’s recent actions, Halabja itself must first be studied in detail. HALABJA AND ITS STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT 1) Construction of tunnel networks is not new; it has been going on since early spring. However, the earlier tunnels were located north of Penjwen, whereas the new ones now appear to be concentrated around Halabja. 2) Halabja is a highly sensitive area, apart from its strategic importance. Although the Islamic Movement of Kurdistan received more than 50% of the vote there in 2001, the political environment later normalized, yet Islamist parties still receive roughly 20% of the vote, where it is one of the few pluralistic political area in KRG. Halabja was not always a particularly religious or conservative city. In the 1970s, there were rock bands, female musical groups, an active intellectual environment, and a relatively liberal social life. However, the 1988 chemical attack created an enormous collective trauma that contributed to growing conservatism while simultaneously cementing a strong Kurdish identity. At the same time, the people of Halabja do not want their city to become the victim of another confrontation between regional powers. This is one reason the area has remained relatively quiet and cautious, trying to survive without strongly aligning itself with any single political party. Its economy has relied considerably on agriculture and both legal and informal cross-border trade, while Halabja has maintained a delicate balance between Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, and Iran. Bearing all this in mind, the PKK has historically been unable to develop the same level of popular, ideological, or logistical support in Halabja that it enjoys in parts of Sulaymaniyah, yet it was able to establish minor camps in surrounding areas of Halabja, both inside Iraq and Iran. More at the link Related: Halabja: 2026-07-26 As the PKK Makes Peace with Turkey, It Is Quietly Building Up Along Iran’s Border Halabja: 2026-06-28 Wheat harvest to approach 5 million tons as yield tops 4 million: Iraqi trade Halabja: 2026-06-14 Iraq arrests 15 over alleged Ba’athist plot to assassinate senior security officials |
| Posted by:badanov |