Unrest continues in South Kurdistan
Unrest continues in South Kurdistan
After violent crackdown of anti-government protests in Suleymaniyah which left one dead and 54 wounded unrest still continues in various South Kurdistan cities.
It's reported that in hundreds of people in Ranya, Qaladize, Kelar, Kifri and Seyd Sadiq towns of Soran province showed support to the protestors. In Koy Sanjak, hometown of Iraq's president Jalal Talabani shopkeepers closed down their shops in protest of violence against the demonstrators in Suleymaniyah.
While the unrest is still limited to Soran region of South Kurdistan the Kurdish opposition is preparing demonstrations in Chamchamal, Arbil, Halabja and Koy Sanjak.
Kurdish region was a scene of clashes between rival fractions in the past, especially in 1990s. Thousands of Kurdish fighters lost their lifes in the clashes between Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (YNK).
Some comments in Kurdish press says the protestors rose from the areas which suffered huge losses in their fight against the KDP and rooted in tribal rivalry.
While none of the YNK offices were targeted by the protestors, KDP's offices and related associations were targeted.
The opposition accuses Arbil government of corruption and not making necessary investments in Soran-Behdinan regions.
KDP is currently denying all the accusations and defending violent crackdown as a self defence.
The prominent opposition Goran Movement is making harsh statements against the Kurdish government although it choose to remain silent in the first three days following the protests in Suleymaniyah. Abdullah Melle Nori, a prominent figure in Goran Movement, attended the funeral of the teenager who was killed by Kurdish pasmargha during the protests. This was the first official show of support for protestors from the Goran Movement.
Other opposition parties like leftist Komala and Islamist Yekgirti is still remaining silent about the incidents. As most of the members of these two parties come from Arbil and nearby regions where KDP is effective, it's said that they are concerned to be a target of an attack by Barzani's supporters.
It's reported that in hundreds of people in Ranya, Qaladize, Kelar, Kifri and Seyd Sadiq towns of Soran province showed support to the protestors. In Koy Sanjak, hometown of Iraq's president Jalal Talabani shopkeepers closed down their shops in protest of violence against the demonstrators in Suleymaniyah.
While the unrest is still limited to Soran region of South Kurdistan the Kurdish opposition is preparing demonstrations in Chamchamal, Arbil, Halabja and Koy Sanjak.
Kurdish region was a scene of clashes between rival fractions in the past, especially in 1990s. Thousands of Kurdish fighters lost their lifes in the clashes between Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (YNK).
Some comments in Kurdish press says the protestors rose from the areas which suffered huge losses in their fight against the KDP and rooted in tribal rivalry.
While none of the YNK offices were targeted by the protestors, KDP's offices and related associations were targeted.
The opposition accuses Arbil government of corruption and not making necessary investments in Soran-Behdinan regions.
KDP is currently denying all the accusations and defending violent crackdown as a self defence.
The prominent opposition Goran Movement is making harsh statements against the Kurdish government although it choose to remain silent in the first three days following the protests in Suleymaniyah. Abdullah Melle Nori, a prominent figure in Goran Movement, attended the funeral of the teenager who was killed by Kurdish pasmargha during the protests. This was the first official show of support for protestors from the Goran Movement.
Other opposition parties like leftist Komala and Islamist Yekgirti is still remaining silent about the incidents. As most of the members of these two parties come from Arbil and nearby regions where KDP is effective, it's said that they are concerned to be a target of an attack by Barzani's supporters.
