The Supreme Criminal Court held on Thursday (May 7, 2026) the first session of the trial of Ajaj Ahmed Hardan Al-Tikriti, one of the prominent defendants in the Anfal crimes committed during the era of the former regime.

The source stated that the Supreme Criminal Court is holding its first session to try Ajaj Ahmed Hardan Al-Tikriti, one of the prominent defendants in the Anfal crimes committed during the era of the former regime.

He added that the court began examining the charges against the defendant related to participation in the Anfal operations and violations against civilians during that period, amid tight security measures.

The Anfal cases are among the most prominent files still present before the Iraqi judiciary, given the widespread violations and mass displacement and killing operations witnessed during the era of the former regime.

The Anfal campaign operations refer to a series of military and security operations carried out in the late 1980s against vast areas in northern Iraq, resulting in the killing and disappearance of thousands of civilians, along with village destruction and mass displacement operations.