Protests in parts of Kurdistan and Iraq, Erbil and Dohuk cities unaffected

Erbil, Kurdistan Region - Iraq (KDP.info) - Today in the Kurdistan Region, several demonstrations took place, some of which were peaceful and without incident while others saw some violence and deeply regrettable deaths and injuries among citizens and the police. The Kurdistan Democratic Party expresses its sorrow and condolences to the families of those who were killed and prays for the speedy recovery of anyone injured. It calls for each incident to be investigated and any wrongdoers to face justice. Today also saw a meeting between the leadership of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan with the Gorran Change movement. The meeting was held with the full knowledge and cooperation of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. The KDP and PUK are in coalition in the Kurdistan Regional Government while Gorran is the main opposition. In a recent statement, Masoud Barzani who is President of the Region and the KDP, said, “The Kurdistan Region has always and will remain unwavering in its commitment to the right to peaceful assembly and the flourishing of a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic society.” The KDP respects and recognises the legitimate demands of the demonstrators for a better life, however, it condemns any acts by those who exploit the demands of the public for their own political purposes. Today’s protests took place in Suleimaniah , Kirkuk, Ranya, Chamchamal, Sayid Sadiq and Kalar, among other places. In Chamchamal, Kalar and Sayid Sadiq, the KDP's offices were fired on but the police were able to push back those who were causing the violence. The demonstrations in the various towns and cities took different forms, for example, the demands of the protesters inside the Kurdistan Region included calls for reform and an end to corruption. While in Kirkuk, which is outside the KRG administered area, the demonstrations were by Arab groups against the Kurdish and Turkman population and authorities. Life went on as usual in both Erbil and Dohuk and most areas of Kurdistan remained calm. In Erbil a group of citizens gathered at the governor's office to show their support for the office after a television station mistakenly reported it had been attacked and burnt down by protesters. In fact there had been no protest or fire. The demonstrations in Kurdistan were on the same day as protests across Iraq in which citizens called for better services and an end to corruption. There were violent incidents in Baghdad and in Mosul. Yesterday in a protest in Halabja, some of the demonstrators opened fire on the police, killing one and wounding three.