Sulaymaniyah Security: Legal Measures Taken to Contain Tensions Between Teachers and Truck Drivers

Peregraf

The Sulaymaniyah Security Agency (Asayish) announced that it has taken legal steps to control 'tensions between protesting teachers and truck drivers' in Arbat, stating that no arrests have been made and that the injured individuals are in stable condition.

In a statement, the security forces explained that truck drivers attempted to break through a roadblock, preventing teachers and citizens from passing for two days. This led to confrontations, resulting in injuries among both truck drivers and demonstrators.

“As a law enforcement agency, we immediately arrived at the scene and took legal measures to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of all present. No arrests have been made, and the injured individuals have been discharged from the hospital in good health,” the statement read.

Security forces were deployed to the Sulaymaniyah-Arbat road, where teachers and public employees had been demonstrating. Authorities intervened to clear the road, allowing the passage of oil tankers traveling from Kurdistan to Iran. Reports indicate that several teachers sustained injuries during the clashes with security personnel.

Protesting educators and public sector workers have alleged that individuals throwing stones at oil tankers were not genuine demonstrators but security personnel disguised in civilian clothing. Additionally, numerous journalists covering the protest had their personal belongings confiscated by security forces.

The Metro Center for the Protection of Journalists’ Rights condemned the actions of the security forces, stating: “The recent perceived openness of civic space over the last fortnight is a significant falsehood. The assaults on teachers at the Arbat encampment, the harassment of journalists, and the destruction of their equipment reveal the true nature of the authorities’ approach to peaceful dissent. This mirrors the Degalla incident, exposing the security forces’ disgraceful treatment of protests and press freedom.”