Security Forces Crack Down on Protests in Sulaymaniyah; Halwest Movement Leader Arrested

Peregraf

Security forces affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Sulaymaniyah have launched a widespread crackdown to prevent planned demonstrations by teachers and civil servants demanding unpaid salaries and other rights. Heavily armed units were deployed across the city since last night, particularly in front of education department buildings, blocking all protest activity and banning media coverage.

Ali Hama Saleh, leader of The National Stance Movement (Rewti Halwest), was arrested along with two other senior members of the movement’s leadership—Dr. Ghalib Mohammed and Dr. Rebwar Karim. The three were detained by security forces inside the movement’s headquarters in Sulaymaniyah.

Despite the security clampdown, protesters insist on moving forward with a demonstration planned for this evening. Over the past 48 hours, more than ten representatives of the protesting teachers and employees have been arrested, with none released so far.

Local broadcaster Payam TV reported that its crew was also detained by security forces while attempting to cover the demonstrations, highlighting a broader effort to restrict press freedom.

In a statement, the Sulaymaniyah High Security Committee justified the crackdown, citing what it called the “sensitivity and inappropriateness” of the current situation for public demonstrations. However, rights advocates and civil society groups have condemned the arrests and restrictions as a serious threat to freedom of expression and assembly in the Kurdistan Region.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has a history of using arbitrary arrests and anti-protest laws to suppress dissent. Teachers and civil servants have protested for months over unpaid salaries and worsening living conditions, with no government response.