In the Kurdish refugee camp Maxmur, the situation has calmed down for the time being after temporary tensions with Iraqi security forces. During an escalation meeting between a delegation from the camp near the town of the same name southwest of Hewlêr and Iraqi military officials, the threatening conflict could be settled, stated Hacı Kaçan, co-chairman of the Maxmur People's Council.

The background to the tensions in Maxmur was the unannounced attempt by Iraqi security forces on Monday morning to fence off the camp with barbed wire. As a result, angry residents gathered at a checkpoint and protested vehemently against the action.

"The action should probably be carried out by the security forces stationed in Maxmur on their own and not at the instigation of the central government in Baghdad," Kaçan said following the conversation with Iraqi commander Said Abdullah. "We pointed out to the Iraqi side that none of our actions are against the laws of the country and we have always respected them. There is no justification for fencing the camp with barbed wire and guarding us like felons," Kaçan continued.

The People's Council of Maxmur sees the intention to fence in the camp as an "attack on the autonomy of the camp". They do not want to allow this under any circumstances. The council is currently seeking a meeting with the Iraqi central government. "We want to know the background of this plan," said Kaçan.

The Maxmur refugee camp is repeatedly the target of attacks. While on the one hand it is under military attack by the Turkish state, on the other hand it is subject to a comprehensive embargo imposed by the KDP-led regional government in Hewlêr. The actions of the Iraqi security forces against the camp are also considered in this context.