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Iran
- After tens of thousands of coronavirus cases resulted in the death of thousands of Iranians across the country, the Iranian regime released a number of prisoners on “prison leave.” The released prisoners excluded those who have outstanding execution sentences and the political prisoners with long term sentences. Several Kurdish civilian activists were released from Marivan, Dehgolan, and Sanandaj. However, in Mehabad and Saqqaz riots in prisons resulted in the escape of tens of inmates after fears of the spread of coronavirus. In Mehabad city the security forces and members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) killed two and wounded three more of the escapees from the prison break. Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Human Rights Association (KMMK) reported the escape of 80 prisoners from Saqqez prison on Friday. The coronavirus deaths in the Kurdish region reached 315 according to the Hengaw organization for Human Rights, while thousands of Iranian Kurds suffer a lack of medical attention, especially in Mehabad city.
Iraq
- After the withdrwal from several airbases in the south and west of Iraq, the US-led coalition handed over more airfields to the Iraqi forces. The withdrawal of the bases included the K1 in Kirkuk and Qayara in Mosul. The US troops have been transferred to Iraqi Kurdistan’s capital Erbil and Ain Assad Air Base on the border of Iraq and Syria. “This planned movement came a long time ago due to the successes of the Iraqi security forces against ISIS and in coordination with the Iraqi government,” said Spokesperson for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) Col. Myles Caggins. Previously, several media reports leaked US plans to face the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq as they have increased attacks on the US forces.
- The number of coronavirus cases reached 161 in the Kurdistan region with two deaths, while the lockdown of the cities and provinces continued in order to stop the spread of the pandemic. New arrivals to the region faced quarantine for 14 days amid the limitation of travels to the region. While many Kurds have been unable to return to the region, the security forces have detained tens of smugglers involved in bringing people back illegally from Iran. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials continue to advise people to stay home while the curfew has been extended to April 11, 2020.
Syria
- On Sunday, hundreds of ISIS (Da’esh) prisoners in Al Hasakah prison successfully broke out their prison cell after controlling the ground floor. “ISIS terrorists took over the ground floor completely in Al-Hasakah prison, they demolished the internal walls and destroyed the doors. Some of them managed to escape and [authorities] are searching for them,“ said Mustafa Bali, the head of the media department of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). On Monday the SDF spokesperson Kino Gabriel announced that the situation is “fully under control” and no Da’esh members were able to run away. The prison holds about 5,000 terrorists with 50 different nationalities.
- After calls by the United Nations (UN) Representative to Syria Geir Pedersen for “a complete and immediate nationwide ceasefire throughout Syria,” the SDF announced its support for the ceasefire. On Thursday Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General welcomed the SDF’s support. Dujarric renewed the UN’s calls for a ceasefire across Syria. On Monday, the Turkish-backed Jihadists launched a new bombardment on the villages near Ain Essa under SDF control near the strategic M4 highway. A video by pro-Kurdish media showed the SDF’s repelling a vehicle attempting to advance.
- The coronavirus precautionary measures in the Kurdish region continued while no cases have been reported yet. In the areas under the Syrian regime, nine cases have been reported according to the Ministry of Health.
Turkey
- Confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Turkey reached 10,827 with 168 deaths. Several spots in the Kurdish region’s Kars and Van province are in quarantine after the pandemic has affected residents. Previously the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) called on the Turkish government to release the prisoners on bail, especially thousands of HDP members who remain imprisoned by the government on political charges. The HDP also launched social media campaigns urging people to stay home. Turkish schools remain closed till April 30.