Kolbarnews released the balance sheet regarding the continued killing of kolbars in 2022.

According to the annual balance sheet, 215 kolbars suffered injuries and 43 others lost their lives during the year.

Of the slain kolbars, 29 were killed by fire from Iranian Pasdaran (Revolutionary Guard) forces, and one other by Turkish soldiers.

Other deaths were caused by challenging weather conditions, fall from high, traffic accidents and heart conditions.

Kolbars and kasibkars are targeted systematically by Iranian and Turkish security forces. Each year, dozens of them are killed with no punitive measures being taken. Apart from systematic attacks, kolbars are struggling to make a living under harsh weather conditions, dangerous geographical locations and mines.

Kolber or “kolbar” is derived from the Kurdish words “kol” and “bar”. Kol means “back”, bar means “load”. Kolbars make their living by carrying goods on their backs across dangerous borders. The goods they carry include cigarettes, mobile phones, blankets, household items, tea and rarely alcoholic beverages. They have to pass through dangerous roads between South Kurdistan and East Kurdistan. The goods brought are sold at relatively high prices in commercial centres such as Tehran. However, kolbars who carry out the transportation of goods at the expense of their lives receive a very small amount of wages.

Kasibkar refers to those people who receive the goods kolbars carry to South Kurdistan and find buyers in towns.