Tensions between the Herkî tribe and forces affiliated with the KDP continue in the vicinity of the Lanaz Refinery in the Gwer district of Hewlêr (Erbil). The escalation follows a protest last Saturday (November 29), during which residents of the village, located about 20 kilometers west of the city center of Hewlêr, 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 reports from the ground, 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.
A number of people have been reported detained during the ongoing tensions in the area. Despite assurances that security forces would withdraw, military activity in the region continues.
According to Channel8, security forces equipped with armored vehicles and Humvees have set up checkpoints in the village. In Xebat, KDP soldiers in civilian clothing are still on duty and are detaining individuals deemed suspicious.
Meanwhile, the Channel8 team covering the protests was attacked twice by security forces and had their equipment confiscated. The team from Sulaymaniyah-based NRT television was detained in Xebat and released after their equipment was confiscated.
On the other hand, many people who were forcibly evicted from their homes in Lacan yesterday have set up tents around the village and are now sheltering there.