SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Authorities in Sulaimani province extended a 24-hour curfew banning travel between cities and towns in Sulaimani, Halabja, Raparin and Garmian, amid anti-government protests.
High Security Committee in Sulaimani province said late on Wednesday that it had extended the curfew between the cities in the provinces of Sulaimani and Halabja as well as the administrations of Raparin and Garmian, where anti-government protests took place this week.
The curfew started at 12 a.m. on Thursday and will continue until 12 a.m. on Friday.
The curfew “aims at protecting security and providing a tranquil circumstance,” the committee added.
Hundreds of people protested in Sulaimani and Halabja provinces against delays in payment and lack of services in the Kurdistan Region. Eight people including a guard of a political party and a Peshmerga were killed and scores were wounded during the protests.
Anti-government demonstrations took place in Piramagroon, Ranya, Qaladiza, Chwarqurna, Takiya, Chamchamal, Arbat, Said Sadiq, Khurmal, Halabja, Darbandikhan, Kalar and Kifri.
Angry protesters set fire to headquarters of several political parties and government offices including the directorate of education in Sharazoor and the directorate of Asayish (security) in Takiya.
The committee said in a separate statement that it would no longer allow unauthorized gathering or protests in the province.
“From now on, all kinds of unauthorized gatherings, protests, damage to public and private institutions used to serve people are prohibited,” the committee said.
The committee further said the security forces would take legal measures and detain those who damaged the government’s institutions and those who are behind them.
On Wednesday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said violence occurred during the protests was a “plan” to attack the Kurdistan Region’s entity.
“We call on people to understand the danger of this situation in Kurdistan,” Barzani said in a press conference.
“We understand people’s concerns and we are part of them,” he added, expressing condolence to the people killed during the protests.
“The direction of the protests was changed, particularly by a group of people who took over the demonstrations and turned them to violence, looting and killing,” Barzani noted.
“All parties were attacked, including those in government and those who are opposition. So, this sabotage act was not against the government. It is a plan to attack the Kurdistan Region’s entity.”
