As protests against corruption continue, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) made a statement arguing that Iraqi Kurdistan security forces consider Kurds from North East Syria to be criminals.
Regarding ongoing protests in Iraqi Kurdistan, PYD representatives said protesters were demanding improvements in life conditions and the payment of civil servants’ salaries. “Several headquarters and public place were set on fire. Violence was used Syrian Kurds were accused. Many Kurdish people from North East Syria (Rojava) have been arrested on that pretext”.
According to ANHA, the PYD also stated that the people of Iraqi Kurdistan demands to end the economic crisis was legitimate and pointed out that the issue was a subject that concerns everyone. “We call for meeting the demands of people. The violence carried out by some sides is harming public associations. We do not approve of that situation. The use of violence by Asayish forces [Iraqi Kurdistan forces] will deepen current crisis. Kurds from Rojava should not be considered as the criminals. It is the task of everyone who lives in Iraqi Kurdistan. For that reason, they should avoid violence. We call all sides to overcome the crisis while being conscious common responsibility”.
Protests in Iraqi Kurdistan
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (YNK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party (PDK) headquarters was set aflame in the Piramagrun district in the Sulaymaniyah province of Iraqi Kurdistan on Sunday 6 December.
Protesters took to the streets of Piramagrun in the Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî) province and set fire to the headquarters of both the PUK and PDK, as the protests still continue. Protests then spread across several districts and provinces. Takya, Darbandikhan, Kifry, Chamchamal, Penjwin, Ranyia, Garmian and Kalar are the main protest centres.
According to Savan Abdalrahman’s latest report, during the protests seven young protestors and a Peshmerga were shot dead. Inside Sulaymaniyah the protests were stopped by the widespread physical presence of security forces in the main public gathering areas of the city, mostly in front of Sarai Azadi and the Public Park where the main protests usually take place. Security forces also drove through the city in convoys preventing any gatherings from forming.
The protestors do not belong to any party and do not have a specific ideology. They are civilians who are exhausted as a result of the corruption that has been going on for years.
