Kurdistan security disperse anti-government protesters in Sulaimaniya
Halabja (IraqiNews.com) Kurdish security forces dispersed on Tuesday anti-government protests in the center of the Kurdistan Region city of Sulaimaniya as demonstrations continue for a second day to decry delay in the disbursement of employees’ salaries and poor services.
Baghdad Today reported that security dispersed demonstrators at Falakat Sarai in central Sulaimaniya with tear gas.
Alghad Press quoted Mohamed Rasoul, a member of Sulaimaniya council, saying that the council convened to discuss the turmoil, adding that attendants urged the government to listen to protesters’ demands.
Earlier, Russia Today published photos purportedly showing demonstrators storming the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s office in Halabja. Others tore the Iraqi flag in Kafri region, according to the channel.
n a related development, Kurdish NRTTV network reported three injuries among protesters as they demonstrated in front of the Koi Sanjaq mayoral building before torching it.
Thousands of Iraqi Kurds staged protests on Monday to decry delay of salaries and lack of services in parts of the region.
Demonstrators reportedly torched the offices of ruling and opposition political parties, while police responded with tear gas.
The Kurdistan government released a statement defending the right to protest but warned against destruction of property. Its security council, meanwhile, expressed concerns of military activity by the central government near one of the region’s areas.
Eight IS militants killed in Peshmerga attack on Makhmour hideout
Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) Eight Islamic State militants were killed in an attack by Peshmerga fighters on a mountainous area in Makhmour city, field sources told Basnews on Tuesday.
“A Peshmerga force stormed a hideout of Islamic State remnants near Qarachogh Mountain in Makhmur town, south west of Erbil, killing eight IS militants,” the sources said.
“The four-hour attack was launched at 1:30 pm (local time),” the sources said, adding that the IS terrorists were hiding inside a cave in the mountain.
Earlier in the day, a Kurdish commander told Rudaw that a fighting had erupted between Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and an IS group near Makhmour.
The Iraqi forces and the Iranian-backed al-Hashd al-Shaabi took control of Makhmour in mid-October following a military incursion into the disputed Kurdish areas claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad.
Three Kurdish policemen injured in clashes with angry protesters in Erbil
Erbil (Iraqinews.com) Three Kurdish policemen were injured on Tuesday while dispersing a rally in Erbil over delayed payments of salaries and poor services.
“Fierce clashes erupted between Kurdish police and demonstrators at Koysinjaq town in Erbil, leaving three policemen injured,” according to a reporter of Mawazin News.
Security forces have forcibly dispersed the protesters by firing shots in the air, the reporter said, adding that similar demonstrations have been staged in other Kurdish towns.
11 Kurdish guards killed, injured as protesters storm PUK premises in Erbil
Erbil (Iraqinews.com) Four guards of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) were killed as Kurdish protesters stormed the union’s headquarters in Erbil in protest at late salary payments and poor services.
“Angry demonstrators broke into the premises of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan at Koysinjaq town in Erbil, protesting at poor services in the autonomous Kurdistan region,” a source told Sputnik on Tuesday.
The clashes left four of the PUK guards dead and seven others injured, the source added.
Iraqi military command “ready to defend Kurdish people” amid protests
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraq’s military command has expressed readiness to defend people in the autonomous Kurdistan Region as it was ravaged by anti-government protests.
Brig. Gen. Yahia Rasoul, front man of the Joint Operations Command, was quoted by Almaalomah website saying a televised interview that the command "is ready to protect our people in Kurdistan if directives from the general commander of the armed forces, Haider al-Abadi, are given in that regard".
"Security forces are anxious to protect Iraqi bloods, and the Prime Minister continues to manage the crisis with wisdom," Rasoul
Thousands of Iraqi Kurds staged protests on Monday to decry delay of salaries and lack of services in parts of the region.
Demonstrators reportedly torched the offices of ruling and opposition political parties, while police responded with tear gas.
The Kurdistan government released a statement defending the right to protest but warned against destruction of property. Its security council, meanwhile, expressed concerns of military activity by the central government near one of the region’s areas.