In the border area between eastern and southern Kurdistan, a group of kolbars was targeted by the Iranian army on Friday night. According to initial information, at least eleven men were injured by the artillery fire. According to the report, the load carriers had attempted to cross the border into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) coming from the Hewraman region.

The attack occurred near the town of Nosûde, which is about 35 kilometers northwest of Pawe. Most of the kolbars are from the area, while others are from Ciwanro, according to reports. Information on the severity of their injuries was not initially available. According to sources in the region, it is still unclear to which hospitals the kolbars were taken.

At least 46 kolbars killed in 2021

Kolbars (also Kolber) are load carriers who bring trade goods across the state borders in Kurdistan. For many people, especially in Eastern Kurdistan, this difficult and dangerous work is the only way to earn money. Kolbars are systematically and arbitrarily attacked by both Turkish and Iranian security forces. The killing of border traders is not prosecuted.

According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), at least 46 Kurdish kolbars died in 2021. Another 122 kolbars were injured in the border area by gunfire from security forces or natural disasters. Of the 46 kolbars who lost their lives, 17 were killed by Iranian forces and four by Turkish forces. One minor kolbar committed suicide after border forces confiscated his mules.

In addition, five kolbars died from avalanches, three from frostbite, three from falls in the mountains, three from heart attacks while transporting goods, one from drowning in a river, and nine from traffic accidents.