A demonstration for Kurdish national unity was planned for today in the region of Zînî Wertê on the edge of the Qandil Mountains. People from Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, Raperin and Binarê Qendîl made their way to Zînî Wertê but were stopped by security forces. Among the activists are well-known intellectuals, members of parliament and Peshmerga veterans.

The demonstrators wanted to gather in Serkepkan town of Ranya at 1 pm local time. Many of them had been on the road since the early morning hours. However, several of them were stopped at the entrance of Ranya and talks with the security forces in order to be allowed into the city yielded no result.

The crowd then made a statement to the press at Qemteran checkpoint.

Speaking here, activist Dilşad Mîranî protested the obstruction and said; “We have covered hundreds of kilometers to convey our message for peace and the demands of the Kurdistan people but we were stopped at Raperîn checkpoint. The forces have stopped us, mothers and families of martyrs who have experienced the pain of losing their children in conflict. All we and families of martyrs want is the withdrawal of the forces stationed in Zînî Wertê. We also call upon the government of Iraq to not let the Turkish state enter the Iraqi soil.”

Former parliamentarian Geşe Dara read out the press release in the name of the demonstrators, saying the following;

“We came here at the request of our people who demand peace, unity of Kurdish people, frustration of occupation plans, ending of the threat of internal conflict and protection of the lands of Kurdistan. This occupation and the threat of a conflict in Kurdistan pose a threat for the unity of the Kurdish people and all people of Kurdistan. This plan belongs to those who have occupied Kurdistan and we must definitely oppose it. We call upon all forces to retreat to their former positions in order to avoid a conflict.”