The law establishing Halabja as an independent province officially came into effect on Monday, following its publication in the latest issue of the Iraqi Gazette, marking Halabja as Iraq’s 19th province and the fourth within the Kurdistan Region.

According to the Iraqi Gazette issue released on May 5, 2025, the publication of the Halabja Province Establishment Law means the legislation has now entered into force.

The gazette confirmed that the law will be resent to the three presidencies and relevant authorities in both the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government in preparation for the issuance of a presidential decree, expected to be published next week.

Experts explained that, based on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani’s directives, the implementation instructions for organizing the province’s administrative and legal establishment must be issued within 60 days.

The Iraqi Parliament had voted on April 14, 2025, to approve the Halabja Province Establishment Bill, which was later ratified by President Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid. The official presidential decree was issued during a formal ceremony on April 29 at Baghdad Palace, attended by lawmakers, officials, and representatives of the families of victims of the Halabja chemical attack.

With this official announcement, the long-awaited recognition for Halabja's residents has finally materialized, opening new administrative and service opportunities. This move is widely seen as a symbolic and historic victory for a city that has endured a heavy toll in Iraq’s tragic history.