Protests against the KDP’s policies and practices towards the people of Lacan village in the Xebat district of Hewlêr (Erbil) are growing. People took to the streets in the district center on Monday, lighting fires in many areas and setting fire to the KDP headquarters as well as some KDP-owned buildings in the district.
Images circulated on social media show protesters setting fire to some buildings. Meanwhile, reports say that the KDP has deployed a large military force to the area.
The protesters claim that crimes have been committed against the residents of Lacan village, alleging that the villagers have been sent to the Anfal border by KDP forces. Protests in the district are reported to be continuing.
Background
In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), the village of Lacan (also known as Lajan), not far from an oil refinery, is reportedly being forcibly evacuated. The Roj News agency published a video showing residents fleeing the village. They blamed security forces of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) for the forced evacuation.
The repression follows a protest last Saturday (November 29), during which residents of the village, located about 20 kilometers west of the city center of Hewlêr (Erbil), briefly blocked access to the nearby Lanaz refinery. They demanded that young people from the village be employed by the company.
To end the protest, armed security forces from the KDP-affiliated company fired live ammunition at the demonstrators. Irfan Bahadîn Berzencî, 26, was fatally shot in the head. Three other people also suffered gunshot wounds.
According to Roj News, the military presence in and around the village has since been massively expanded. Sources speak of heavily armed units that took up positions and put pressure on the population. Ultimately, most families left Lacan. It is currently unknown where the displaced residents have gone and what condition they are in.
Video: Roj News