|
Barzani's KDP strengthens embargo on
Syrian Kurdistan, opens fire on protesters
10.4.2014
|
|
|
|
|
The Semalka Border Crossing between Syrian Kurdistan
and Iraqi Kurdistan,
KDP raised its party’s flag.
Photo: ANF/Ekurd.net
•
See Related Articles
April 10, 2014
DERIK, Syrian Kurdistan,— The Kurdistan
Democratic Party KDP led by Massoud Barzani, the
ruling party in Iraqi Kurdistan, has removed the the
flag of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) from
the Sêmalka border crossing with Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava)
and raised its party’s flag in its place.
KDP officials have also dismantled the bridge across
the Tigris River which had connected Rojava with the
KRG, according to a report from ANHA and carried by
ANF. The KDP had been limiting access to the Sêmalka
(Peşabir) border crossing since May of last year.
In another piece carried by ANF it is reported that
at least one Kurdish youth from Rojava was injured
earlier Wednesday when Iraqi Kurdistan's Peshmerga
units attached to the KDP opened fire on protesters
near the village of Sihela in the district of Derik.
Protesters were angry about the construction of a
new border ditch which the KDP began last week.
The protests had been organized by the revolutionary
youth (Ciwanên Şoreşger) and had attracted hundreds
who came from as far away as Derik and Qamişlo. KDP
Peshmergawww.Ekurd.net
pointed heavy machine-guns at the protesters before
opening fire, while the protesters responded with
rocks. After the KDP opened fire local women
intervened to ease tensions and the protesters moved
on to Girê Sor. The condition of the wounded youth
remains uncertain.
The protesters had been called to voice opposition
to the KDP’s recent decision to dig a deep trench
along the border between Rojava and the KRG, as well
as to denounce the mistreatment of Rojava refugees
in the KRG.
Refugees living in camps in the KRG have
complained of harsh, prison-like conditions in which
basic necessities are lacking and violence –
including sexual violence directed against women –
from local KDP officials and their allies against
camp residents is commonplace. A report from
February claimed that women from the camps were
being sold to local elites as well as wealthy Arabs
from Iraq and the Gulf.
Just last week it was reported that a coalition of
the largest opposition political parties in the KRG
– including the YNK, the Goran movement, and
Yekgirtu İslami – joined with the Kurdish National
Congress (KNK) in likewise denouncing the KDP’s
policies toward Rojava and demanding the
border-crossing at Sêmalka be opened and that the
KRG recognize the Autonomous Canton Governments of
Rojava.
A delegation of 31 women sent by a number of parties
such as the YNK and Yekgirtu Islami to investigate
conditions in Rojava were denied permission to cross
at Sêmalka on March 23 by KDP officials.
Copyright ©, respective author or news agency,
rojavareport.wordpress.com | firatnews.com
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the
content of news information on this page
|
