At a motorbike and car fair in the southern Kurdish metropolis of Sulaymaniyah, almost a hundred men attacked a woman. The young woman wanted to participate in the annual event in the Hiwan district and was almost lynched because of it.

Videos circulated on digital networks show the woman being chased and beaten by dozens of men. The sexist violence is celebrated and filmed by those present.

The parliamentary speaker of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), Rêwas Faeq, condemned the lynching attempt on Twitter.

"These 'men' brutally attack a young woman who, like all of them, is visiting a car and motorbike show. They are the product of barbaric behaviour that is displayed in this region every day in a planned and organised manner towards women. A society and government that cannot break this aggressive mentality are doomed to a quick death,” Faeq wrote.

Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, whose husband is Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid (PUK) also reacted via Twitter: "I strongly condemn the attack on the young woman. Violence against women is unacceptable. The perpetrators must be brought to justice."

According to police, seven people have been arrested in connection with the attack and investigations are ongoing.