The villages of Akri district in Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan have turned into scenes of protest recently as Assyrian villagers voice their frustration at restrictions of movement, in effect from 8pm to morning, imposed by security forces using Peshmerga checkpoints, Erbil/Hewlêr-based Kurdistan Watch reported.
Video footage of the protests has emerged, showing determined villagers gathering in the streets, holding up placards and chanting slogans demanding an end to the restrictive measures. According to the protesters, the restrictions have disrupted their daily lives, making it difficult to access basic necessities and exacerbating the already existing distress in the region.
One of the key grievances highlighted by the demonstrators is the denial of timely passage through checkpoints for individuals in need of urgent medical attention. The protesters allege that a sick individual was prevented from crossing a checkpoint promptly, leading to concerns about the well-being of those requiring immediate medical care.
The situation is particularly challenging for the villagers given the restricted hours of movement and the area’s proximity to frequent conflict zones between the Turkish forces and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). With delays caused by numerous checkpoints, the residents of Akri district find themselves more often caught in the crossfire of the ongoing clashes.
