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Iran
- In response to a general strike orchestrated by teachers across the country, the Iranian regime began investigations against a number of Kurdish teachers who helped organize the strike in the Kurdish areas of the country. The Kurdistan Human Rights Association (KMMK) released the names of six Kurdish teachers in Saqqez who were questioned by the Iranian intelligence office (Ettela’at). The general strike took place on October 15 to protest living conditions and the regime’s economic policies. The Ettela’at also arrested six Kurdish men on charges of “membership of Kurdish parties” and have transferred the detainees from Marivan city to Sanandaj for the trail.
- In Marivan and Sanadaj cities, the Iranian regime launched a security campaign to raid homes and remove the satellite dishes that many uses in Iran to receive non-regime television stations.
- The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) held a 40-day memorial ceremony in Koysinjaq-Iraqi Kurdistan for the victims of the Iranian missile attack on September 8, 2018. During the ceremony, the general secretary of the KDP, Mustafa Mamelodi, criticized the Iraqi government for their “weak position” against the missile attacks which breached Iraqi sovereignty. On the same day, the Iranian Kurdish parties released a joint statement calling on the United Nations (UN) and human rights organizations to do what they can to “stop Iran’s violations” which result in the death of many Kurdish youth. Meanwhile, a senior member of the KDP accused the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) of launching attacks against and monitoring the Kurdish opposition parties in Iraqi Kurdistan from Kirkuk.
- On October 16, Iranian border guards shot three border porters (Kolbars) near Baneh and Piranshahr cities. The attacks on the Kolbars left one dead near a bordering village near Baneh city and two severely injured near Piranshahr. The Kurdish Human Rights Organization Hengaw reported that, to date, 88 Kolbars have been killed by Iranian border guards.
Iraq
- The Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission (IHERC) announced the final results of the Parliamentary election of the Kurdistan region held on September 30, 2018. The Democratic Party of Kurdistan (KDP) won the majority of the votes with 45 seats followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in second place with 21 seats. However, four of the nine executive members of the IHERC — these four are all from the opposition parties — released a statement rejecting the announcement of the final results. According to their statement, “the results of the election are not final and complete because they are full of shortcomings.” On Monday, the Islamic Union Party (Yakgrtu) announced its refusal to join the upcoming government formation and remain as an opposition power. However, the leader of the opposition group also complained about the low turnout in the election which resulted in the victory of the ruling parties. The final results of the 111 seats were:
1- KDP: 45 seats
2-PUK: 21 seats
3- Change movement (Gorran): 12 seats
4- the New Generation: 8 seats
5- Islamic Group (Komal): 7 seats
6- Islamic Union (Yakgrtu): 5 seats
7- Socialist Party (Sardam list): 1 seat
8-Communist party: 1 seat
9- Quota seats for minorities of Kurdistan: 5 Turkmen, 5 Christians, and 1 Armenian.
- As the designated-Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi nears his efforts to form a new Iraqi government, unconfirmed reports suggest that the Kurdish parties will participate within three ministries: the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Migration. Last week, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s delegation, headed by Nechirvan Barzani, held a meeting with al Mahdi to discuss outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil. On Wednesday, the Iraqi Parliament will hold a session to vote on the new cabinet.
- Kurdish families in Daquq district are facing displacement after some Arab tribes have started to return to Kurdish lands, after having left during the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime. The Arab tribes were given Kurdish lands by the former regime; however, after Iranian backed militias and Iraqi Federal took control of Kirkuk and other disputed territories on October 16, 2017, the Kurds have been facing forced demographic change once again in these areas. Outside of Kirkuk City, between Hawija and Daquq, in two separate incidents, ISIS terrorists killed members of Shiite militias in these areas. On October 22, the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) warned of the increase of terrorist attacks in Kirkuk and Mosul. The KRSC said that “during September, unrest increased in Kirkuk and Mosul, among other areas,” adding that “ISIS attacks increased, sometimes targeting multiple villages at once; IEDs continued on a regular basis and hits on ISF/PMF homes and figures, and electricity infrastructure has become a feature.”
Syria
- The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continued its “Battle to Defeat Terrorism,” amid an increase in air raids by the U.S.-led coalition in the east side of the country against ISIS positions. On October 16, the SDF foiled an ISIS attack northeast of the Al-Baguz front, as ISIS militants used heavy weapons and missiles on SDF positions. On October 22, the SDF cleared a part of As Sosah town after intense clashes that went on for weeks. According to a statement by the SDF, the clashes are still ongoing between the two sides as ISIS militant are defeating the last pockets of ISIS resistance in the town. The SDF advances continued as the U.S. led coalition announced a strike against a mosque that killed a dozen ISIS terrorists in al Sousa town. A statement from Operation Inherent Resolve read: “On Oct. 22 a Coalition strike destroyed several buildings used by Daesh to launch attacks against Syrian Democratic Force partners in As Susah, Syria. One of those facilities used by Daesh was a mosque that was being used as a defensive fighting position and command center.”
- SDF spokesperson Kino Gabrial denied reports that the SDF reached an agreement with ISIS on exchanging prisoners for abducted families in As-Suwayda. Although Gabriel did stress the SDF’s readiness for any swap in exchange for the liberation of children and women in Swaida province from ISIS terrorists. On July 30, ISIS terrorists abducted tens of civilians including women and children from al Swaida province where the Syrian regime is in active war against ISIS.
Turkey
- After a wave of arrests against members of the Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), the HDP started preparation for the March 2019 local elections. After the removal of the Kurdish mayor and local administrator by the Turkish government, the HDP aims to take the posts back in 2019. The HDP suffered huge disruption and oppression last month as Turkish police arrested hundreds of party members and supporters.
- On October 20, Turkish warplanes targeted the Bradost region in Iraqi Kurdistan in attempts to hit the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) elements in the area. The Turkish government launched a military operation inside Iraqi Kurdistan against the PKK last year. Turkish jets also targeted the Amidi region in Iraqi Kurdistan on October 17. The Turkish military claimed that they have “neutralized” 12 PKK fighters.