People march in Sulaymaniyah against Turkish occupation

Civil society in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) is currently mobilizing for a mass protest against the Turkish invasion of the autonomous region. Since April 23, the Turkish army, with the help of jihadist mercenaries, has been attacking Kurdish territory on Iraqi national territory. In the Behdinan region alone, more than 20 villages have already been depopulated, and thousands of hectares of agricultural land and forest areas, and thus the livelihood of the ancestral civilian population, have been destroyed. The first looting campaigns have already been reported from villages in Zakho.

In order to protest against the occupation of South Kurdistan and the accompanying exploitation of nature and resources, ten NGOs and political parties united under the umbrella of the “Center for National Activities” (Navenda Kar a Nîştimanî) have organized a mass demonstration in the metropolis of Sulaymaniyah today.

Thousands of people are attending the march which kicked off in the afternoon with the participation of several parties and organizations including Hîzbî Suî, Hîzbî Zehmetkêşanî Kurdistan, Communist Union, Freedom Movement, Heng Group, Kurdistan Green Organization, Asoyê Nû.

The march will end at the Azadi Park where a press statement will be made.