Once again I was privileged to be asked to speak at the Halabja memorial service for the thousands of Kurds that were massacred by Saddam Hussein in 1988 by chemical attacks. This was following a period of sustained attacks on the Kurds known as Operation Anfal from 1986. Not only did around 8000 people die immediately in the attack, it had long term consequences for the health of the civilians. We have a number of Kurdish refugees in Portsmouth who are really enjoying contributing to the community here and some of them are becoming British citizens.  The memorial is behind the D Day museum and there is a tree growing in remembrance.