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A weekly brief of events that occurred in the Kurdish regions of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
Iran
- Last week the Iranian regime’s security forces launched an intense crackdown against the border porters (Kolbars) in several neighboring villages in the Kurdish region. On October 25 the border guards shot and killed one Kolbar and injured another near Shapiran district in Salmasa city. On October 27 in Sardasht city, Qandul district, the Iranian revolutionary guards (IRGC) shot two Kolbars, severely wounding them, while another Kolbar died due to freezing temperatures. On October 28, the IRGC shot and killed one Kolbar near Piranshar-Sardasht and ambushed tens of others as they were preparing to cross to Iraqi Kurdistan. Meanwhile the Revolutionary Court in Sardasht city sentenced 15 Kolbars to prison for periods of one month to eight months. The Revolutionary Court also fined the 15 Kurdish Kolbars for “illegally bringing goods.” In some cases, the fines reached US$1,800.
- In a Kurdish village near Mehabad city, 30 elementary students were poisoned due to water pollution. The Kurdistan Human Rights Association (KMMK) reported that some of the students remain under medical care. The drinking water is supplied to the village via water tankers similar to those used in many other villages is the Kurdish region, which have caused illness due to water contamination.
- The Iranian regime’s security forces detained five Kurdish activists after they protested waste burning by the regime next to a village near Marrivan city. The KMMK reported that tens of Kurds protested the arrest of the environmental activists in front of the Marivan mayor’s office. The gathering defended the activists as they tried to raise awareness of pollution caused by burning waste.
Iraq
- After the official announcement of the parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan region, the official talks between the major parties have not yet started. The Change party (Gorran 12 seats) remains undecided about joining the government. Meanwhile, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK 21 seats) demands a coalition with the Democratic Party of Kurdistan (KDP) based on partnership in order to join the new Kurdistan Regional Government. Both the Islamic Union (6 seats) and the New Generation (8 seats) parties announced their participation in the parliament as an opposition power. The KDP (45 seats) is pushing for the new parliament to hold its first session next Tuesday.
- In a step to comply with the U.S. sanctions against Iran, the Iraqi government announced ceasing the oil exports from Kirkuk’s fields. After the Iranian-backed militias with Iraqi forces took control of Kirkuk province on October 16, 2017 the Iraq government started exporting Kirkuk oil via tankers to Iran. The appointed governor to Kirkuk has banned the Kurdish farmers to farm in their lands in Sargaran sub-district after sending an official memorandum via the agricultural department. Tens of villages in Sargaran and Dibis district have suffered Arabization by Saddam’s regime in Iraq, however, since October 2017, Kirkuk’s administration encouraged the Arabs to return to the Kurdish areas after they left it in 2003. In Kirkuk city, the Iraqi Counterterrorism Units (CTU) conducted raids in the Kurdish neighborhood of Shorja. Meanwhile, the outskirts of Kirkuk (Hawija district) faced several terror acts by ISIS against security forces including IED explosions.
- On October 28, the Italian Defense Minister Elisabetta Trenta led a delegation to the Kurdistan region. Trenta held a meeting with the KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani. According to a statement by the KRG, Trenta “vowed continuation of her country to provide humanitarian and military assistance to the Kurdistan Region.” Italy is a member of the U.S. led coalition to counter ISIS.
- Due to heavy rainfall in the Kurdistan region, tens of homes were destroyed across the region especially east of the capital Erbil. In Sidakan district the flooding damaged three bridges as residents of the villages had to flee the area.
Syria
- On October 26, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened the Syrian Kurds with more attacks on the bordering town with Turkey. Speaking before the provincial chairpersons of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Ankara, Erdogan stressed that his threats should be considered a “final warning.” Following Erdogan’s remarks, the Turkish military bombarded the Kurdish town in Syria near the borders of Turkey, especially in Kobani region. According to the Kurdish forces of People’s Defense Units (YPG) Kobani villages of Ormikhar, Charikhli, Siftek, and Ashme, have been targeted by Turkish tanks, mortars, and machine guns. Hakki Kobani, a leader of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said: “Turkey’s attacks on Kobani countryside and Tel Ebyid villages is considered as giving ISIS a hand to organize its ranks.” Kobani’s statement is in reference to SDF’s current fight against ISIS terrorists in Deir Ez Zor and how the Turkish attacks attempt to distract the defeat of ISIS. The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) also released a statement calling upon the United Nations and the U.S. led coalition to stop the Turkish aggression against the SDF, intervene, and “carry on their responsibilities towards the Turkish provocation for Syrian democratic forces.”
- The SDF backed by U.S. air power continued to push against ISIS in the last stronghold in Eastern Syria – Hajin city and its outskirts. On October 26, while the region faced a sandstorm, ISIS terrorists counter attacked the SDF from seven fronts near Hajin city and al Sousah village. The SDF repelled ISIS attacks but also withdrew from some areas for reinforcement. More than a month ago the SDF launched “the battle to defeat terrorism” to end ISIS occupation in eastern Euphrates towns.
- The SDF spokesperson Keno Gabriel called for the establishment of an international court specialized in terrorism in Northern Syria to bring to justice the 700-800 ISIS detainees by the SDF. Most of the ISIS detainees are foreigners, while their states refuse to take them back. Recently the Northern Syrian Administration announced that they need either to recognize the courts in northern Syria or take the ISIS members back including high profiles members from France, Britain, and Belgium.
Turkey
- A new wave of arrests took place by the Turkish police against members of the Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). On October 27, Ankara police raided the homes of 8 HDP members including a former lawmaker (Ibrahim Binici). In Kars province, the police detained several HDP members including a former lawmaker, Safak Ozanli. In Mezitli district of Mersin province, a racist attack against HDP office occured by Turkish nationalists. The attackers set the HDP main sign on fire moments after HDP members left the building. The HDP accused the Turkish ruling party of Justice and Development (AKP) of targeting their members before the local elections in Turkey in March 2019.