The tension between two parties that emerged after Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) arrested Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) administrators in the Behdinan region continues.

PUK Amadia administration issued a statement and said two administrators were arrested by KDP security forces on May 28 with the excuse that they were “involved in smuggling” and that this is “a scenario enacted to pressure [their] members.”

PUK Amadia administration said all checkpoints in the region are under KDP control and added: “Duhok security forces accuse our party administrator Hogir Selîm of smuggling. We reject this claim. KDP wants to cover up their policies of pressure with this allegation.”

PUK Amadia administration stated that all of the Behdinan region is under KDP control and that some KDP members endowed with authority are in fact in the smuggling business and continued: “KDP has been pressuring all who want freedom in Amadia and the Behdinan region as a whole for some time now. They arrested several of our cadres in Amediyê, Akrê, Berdereş and Diyanertê under similar scenarios.

On May 28, two PUK members had been arrested by the KDP. They were released one day later, and said they were accused with things they had nothing to do with and were mistreated.

Duhok security forces issued a statement after PUK's protests and said the people in question were “arrested for engaging in smuggling activities.”