SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday warned angry protesters against “destructive efforts” that could lead to instability in the Region, amid ongoing protests in several cities and towns in Sulaimani province.
Hundreds of people took to the streets in Said Sadiq, Ranya, Chwarqurna, Piramagroon, Chamchamal, Garmian, Halabja, Kalar, Kifri, Darbandikhan on Monday, setting fire to headquarters of several political parties.
Angry protesters in Said Sadiq also torched mayor’s building and house as well as a police station in the town.
One protester was killed in Chamchamal and several others were wounded in Said Sadiq, Chamchamal, Darbandikhan and Kalar, according to medical sources.
In a statement, Barzani said the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) feels the “burden and hardships” of its citizens’ livings due to the economic crisis in the Region.
“This is a difficult situation, and not wanted or desired by the KRG, so I call on the dear citizens not to be influenced by destructive efforts and messages aimed at complicating and destabilizing the Kurdistan Region,” Barzani added.
“The KRG feels the burden and hardships of the lives of its citizens … It considers peaceful and civil demonstration as a legitimate right of citizens,” he stated. “But destructive and chaotic attempts are different from people’s legitimate demands.”
The KRG prime minister also called on the security forces to protect lives of people, including protesters, and prevent violence and burning of public and private places as well as offices of political parties.
“Perpetrators should be brought to justice,” he said.
