Suli protesters distance themselves from violence

SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — Discontent remains in Sulaimani after a weekend of violence, but protesters say resorting to violence will not fix Kurdistan's problems.

Hundreds of riot police are deployed along Salem Street in Sulaimani to protect Kurdistan Democratic Party offices after protests last week led to the torching of KDP offices in Qaladze, Kalar and other towns in Sulaimani province, as well as the stoning of Rudaw offices in Sulaimani.

The governor subsequently announced the closure of government offices for three days and calm has since returned. Striking civil servants have been able to peacefully continue a daily protest on Salem Street.

The ongoing financial strain on families meant that discontent continued to mount though, according to Salman Mustafa, a 26-year-old student and civil society activist.

“For more than a year we have been suffering from a lack of salary and other services,” he said. “We are saying to the five major political parties—enough, please end your meetings.”

The KDP, Gorran Movement and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan parties have been deadlocked over the extension of Kurdistan region President Masoud Barzani's presidential term, which expired on August 20. After protests turned violent over the weekend, which the KDP accused Gorran of inciting, four Gorran ministers and the speaker of parliament were unilaterally sacked by the KDP.

Peaceful demonstrations are necessary to avoid an uprising and allow citizens to express their discontent, Mustafa argued. “Of course there is anger, but people don't want aggressive demonstrations,” he insisted.

In the Sulaimani bazaar on Tuesday, shopkeepers and shoppers were largely supportive of the protests but insisted they must remain peaceful.

Faraidan Aziz, a 30-year-old assistant teacher at Sulaimani polytechnic, and his wife Wazha, a translator, said they understood the frustration of the protesters. As newlyweds they were struggling with bills.

“We can't pay on time,” Aziz said, as they drank juice outside a juice stall. “People have the right to protest, they're asking for basic rights. It's not something the government can't afford.”

Bookseller Sirwan Hamijar Rashid, 31, said the protests were a “good idea”, though he conceded they had kept shoppers away and harmed his business. “But the protests should not happen in this way with bloodshedding and people getting killed,” he added.

Sulaimani-based independent political analyst Ali Kurdistani said he hoped that people's memories of the armed conflict which divided Iraqi Kurdistan into rival KDP and PUK administrations would prevent tensions from escalating further.

“People still regret the civil war,” he said. “They say it was the worst thing we ever did in our lives.”

People realise that ongoing instability would harm their interests, he added. “They know that violence is not the solution. If the government doesn't function, this will only make the financial situation worse.”