11-12-2020
23:32
Three universities in Sulaimani, Halabja close campuses due to protests
The universities of Garmyan, Halabja, and Koya announced they are closing their classrooms because of ongoing protests in Sulaimani and Halabja provinces.
Koya University had previously shut its campus on Wednesday and Thursday. In a statement late Friday, it announced the extension of that decision further notice, "taking into consideration the situation."
Garmyan University announced a week-long closure of classrooms, starting Sunday, "due to the unsafe situation and safety of students." Postgraduate studies will continue.
The University of Halabja announced a one week closure of classrooms for first year students, starting Sunday.
Online courses will continue at all three universities.
Koya University had previously shut its campus on Wednesday and Thursday. In a statement late Friday, it announced the extension of that decision further notice, "taking into consideration the situation."
Garmyan University announced a week-long closure of classrooms, starting Sunday, "due to the unsafe situation and safety of students." Postgraduate studies will continue.
The University of Halabja announced a one week closure of classrooms for first year students, starting Sunday.
Online courses will continue at all three universities.
23:22
PM Kadhimi says understands protestor anger, pledges to ‘work hard’
In a tweet expressing sympathy with Sulaimani, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said his government will “work hard to respond to the rights of our people” in the Kurdistan Region and all Iraqi cities.
Deeply touched by the suffering of our people in the KRI, especially in Sulaymaniyah. Anger is understood as it results from previous years and decades. We will work hard to respond to the rights of our people in KR and all Iraqi cities.
— Mustafa Al-Kadhimi مصطفى الكاظمي (@MAKadhimi) December 11, 2020
22:14
Sulaimani security forces say have ‘new measures’ to end 'unlicensed protests'
Protestors block the route on Sulaimani’s 60 metre road on December 11, 2020. Photo: Mujda Salah/Rudaw
Sulaimani’s High Security Committee said in a statement that they will continue cracking down on unlicensed protests and they have “new measures” to achieve this.
"Security forces have been given a plan, new measures, and new instructions to restore tranquility as soon as possible," read the statement, adding harming the security of Sulaimani is a "red line."
"The arrest operation will continue for all those who violated the law and played a role in the continuation of unlicensed protests as well as those who harm public property,” read the statement. "Preventing people's daily life and continuing unlicensed protests will have a heavy price and strong legal punishment."
Security forces have used several tactics to try and quell the protests, including tear gas, water cannons, live and rubber bullets. Ten people have died, eight protestors and two security force members, and at least 60 people have been injured.
Earlier, Dindar Zebari, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s coordinator for international advocacy, said the government “continues to support the right to protest for all citizens in the region as long as a local government entity is notified of the event. Security forces are deployed to ensure the safety of all citizens and activists.”
"Security forces have been given a plan, new measures, and new instructions to restore tranquility as soon as possible," read the statement, adding harming the security of Sulaimani is a "red line."
"The arrest operation will continue for all those who violated the law and played a role in the continuation of unlicensed protests as well as those who harm public property,” read the statement. "Preventing people's daily life and continuing unlicensed protests will have a heavy price and strong legal punishment."
Security forces have used several tactics to try and quell the protests, including tear gas, water cannons, live and rubber bullets. Ten people have died, eight protestors and two security force members, and at least 60 people have been injured.
Earlier, Dindar Zebari, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s coordinator for international advocacy, said the government “continues to support the right to protest for all citizens in the region as long as a local government entity is notified of the event. Security forces are deployed to ensure the safety of all citizens and activists.”
20:42
Amnesty condemns KRG response to protests
Protesters block the route on Sulaimani’s 60 metre road on December 11, 2020. Photo: Mujda Salah/Rudaw
Amnesty International has condemned the Kurdistan Region authorities’ use of “excessive force” and reports that journalists have been arrested while covering anti-government protests.
“This must end now,” said the rights monitor.
Ten people – eight protesters and two members of the security forces – have died in days of protests in cities and towns in Sulaimani and Halabja provinces.
Shakhawan Rauf head of Kurdistan Region parliament's security committee told Rudaw, "Today protests were held in some areas but no one died."
Some people were injured when authorities used tear gas to try and break up demonstrations, he added.
“This must end now,” said the rights monitor.
Ten people – eight protesters and two members of the security forces – have died in days of protests in cities and towns in Sulaimani and Halabja provinces.
Shakhawan Rauf head of Kurdistan Region parliament's security committee told Rudaw, "Today protests were held in some areas but no one died."
Some people were injured when authorities used tear gas to try and break up demonstrations, he added.
16:59
Two Iraqi journalists detained in Sulaimani, Rudaw equipment confiscated in Ranya
Two journalists with Iraq’s state broadcaster were detained on Friday while covering in protests in Sulaimani and Rudaw’s team in Ranya had some equipment confiscated by security forces.
Security forces in Sulaimani arrested two reporters from Iraq’s state media Al-Iraqia TV, Amin Ahmed and Sirwan Barzan, according a statement from the broadcaster.
In Ranya, Rudaw’s Bakhtyar Qadir said a member of the Peshmerga 70 Unit, allied with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), “attacked us and confiscated our microphone in addition to breaking and setting alight the Rudaw logo” on his microphone.
Qadir said civilians in the area defended him and his team who were filming protests at the time.
Security forces in Sulaimani arrested two reporters from Iraq’s state media Al-Iraqia TV, Amin Ahmed and Sirwan Barzan, according a statement from the broadcaster.
In Ranya, Rudaw’s Bakhtyar Qadir said a member of the Peshmerga 70 Unit, allied with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), “attacked us and confiscated our microphone in addition to breaking and setting alight the Rudaw logo” on his microphone.
Qadir said civilians in the area defended him and his team who were filming protests at the time.
15:57
MP's daughter confirms Gorran arrests
MP's daughter confirms Gorran arrests
Former Gorran MPs Abdulla Mullah Noori, Sherko Hama Amin, and Payman Izadin were arrested earlier during the protests in front of Sulaimani's governorate building, Izadin's daughter confirmed on social media.
15:01
Protesters block main Sulaimani road as security forces use tear gas, rubber bullets
Protesters have blocked Malik Mahmood street - the city's main road - according to live footage shared to social media.
Live footage also appears to show tear gas and rubber bullets used against protesters in the city.
14:26
NRT journalist arrested while attempting to cover protests
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NRT reporter Karzan Tariq has been arrested by security forces in Sulaimani while trying to cover protests in the city, the opposition outlet tweeted.
NRT's Sulamani headquarters were shut by security forces in the early hours of Monday morning after the Kurdistan Regional Government Ministry of Culture ordered the outlet to stop broadcasting on Sunday.
Iraqi President Barham Salih called on security forces on Tuesday to "ease the way for media outlets to do their job without complications and attacks."
14:05
Gorran MPs barred from entering Sulaimani
Gorran (Change Movement) MPs were reportedly barred from entering Sulaimani to participate in the protests, Gorran MP Ali Hama Saleh said in a Facebook live video on Friday afternoon.
Saleh said himself and MPs Daban Muhammad, Jalal Muhammad and Shirin Amin were turned away at the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) checkpoint in Smaquli.
Rudaw's Arkan Ali has also reported that security forces in front of Sulaimani city's governorate building have prevented people from protesting.
Saleh said himself and MPs Daban Muhammad, Jalal Muhammad and Shirin Amin were turned away at the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) checkpoint in Smaquli.
Rudaw's Arkan Ali has also reported that security forces in front of Sulaimani city's governorate building have prevented people from protesting.
12:44
Security forces deployed across Sulaimani city
Security forces been deployed across Sulaimani city ahead of anticipated protests this afternoon, Rudaw reporters in Sulaimani have confirmed.
Protests are expected to begin in the early afternoon. Demonstrations initially began in Sulaimani city on December 2, but ended several days later after crowds were met with tear gas and rubber bullets from security forces.
11:23
Kurdistan Region protests
A photo reportedly shows protesters gathered in Saidsadiq, Sulaimani on December 9, 2020. Photo: BKirkuk/Facebook
Follow Rudaw's live updates on protests taking place across the Kurdistan Region
Demonstrations over unpaid civil servant salaries began in Sulaimani city on December 2, and have since spread to other towns in the province, as well as in Halabja province and the Garmiyan administration.
Security forces have used live ammunition, rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas against protesters, who have set alight political party offices in several towns.
As of Friday morning, nine protesters and one Peshmerga have been killed since demonstrations began, and 65 people have been injured.