The popular protests that started yesterday in Southern Kurdistan continue on the second day. The demonstrations are calling on the government to resign, facing attacks from asayish forces.

Kurdistan Regional Government parliamentarian Rabûn Mehrûf was detained in Suleymaniyah and several people got injured in the crackdown against demonstrators.

GERMİYAN

People have taken to the streets in Germiyan’s Kifrê town and closed Kifrê and Kelar roads for traffic. Citizens are protesting the government’s wrongful policies with the motto, “Reforms are not made through mafia or selling your lands”.

Protesters say, “We want our right, we want our jobs and our living. We will continue our demonstrations.”

Asayish (public security) forces opened fire on demonstrators that started to move towards the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) office.

Building of the Iraqi Turkmen Front was set on fire in Kifrê town, and the buildings of Governorate and KDP in Koyê. Three people got injured during the attack of asayish forces. Reports suggest that one person has died but the report is yet to be confirmed.

SULAYMANIYAH

Thousands took to the streets in Sulaymaniyah yesterday and protested the government policies. Today since the morning hours the security forces and the police have closed off many areas, including the Marketplace and the Mewlewi Avenue, to prevent demonstrations. Hundreds of police officers have surrounded the areas where demonstrations were held yesterday.

Asayish forces have intervened in the demonstrations and three people have reportedly been wounded.

PARLIAMENTARIAN DETAINED

Kurdistan Regional Government parliamentarian Rabûn Mehrûf was detained in Suleymaniyah. Independent MP Mehrûf is at the same time a member of the New Generation Movement. The parliamentarian is reportedly held in asayish center.

RANIA

People in Sulaymaniyah’s Rania district also took to the streets as of early morning hours demanding the resignation of the government in addition to a solution to major problems like salary, water and electricity issues. Demonstrations continue for the second day.

HEWLER

People have taken to the streets in Hewlêr’s Koyê district and Teqteq town from the morning hours as well.

There are reports that the district governorate building in Koyê has been set on fire. During the demonstrations in Koyê, three demonstrators got injured and buildings of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Kurdistan Islamic Unity Party (Yekgirtû) and Gorran (Change) Movement were also set on fire.

Security forces staged a crackdown on the mass gathered in front of the district governorate building and fired rubber bullets. 16 demonstrators got wounded as a result, three of them seriously. Tensions continue between demonstrators and security forces who continue opening fire on the mass in an effort to disperse them.

Reports suggest that people have taken control of the municipality building and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) office.

HALABJA

People taking to the streets in Halabja gathered in in front of the PUK office. Asayish forces are intervening the demonstrators as they head towards the party offices.

Masses are protesting the government and calling it to resign in Xurmal, Chamchamal and Akhceler as well.

While protesters have burned tires in Xurmal, two people were injured in asayish forces’ attack in Akhceler.

AKRÊ

The government of Southern Kurdistan is protested in Duhok’s Akre district as well. Security forces attacked the demonstrators and detained two of them.

SUPPORT FROM BEREYA GEL

Democratic Popular Front (Bereya Demokratik a Gel) released a written statement about the protest demonstrations calling for the Southern Kurdistan government to resign.

The statement said: “We support the popular protests that erupted as a result of people’s legitimate demands. People resorted to mass protests after the government turned a deaf ear to their demands.

We as the Democratic Popular Front support these fair demands of the people who are taking to the streets for a free and peaceful life, and we struggle in order for these rights to be attained. We state that we are a part of this popular resistance.

A violent suppression of protest demonstrations is unacceptable. We call on the government to develop a solution to these demands. Violence is perpetrated by the government forces, not the people. The incidents taking place during the demonstrations are occurring due to the violence committed by the government.”