Demonstrations sparked in a village of Erbil, capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraqi KRI, have now spread to neighboring areas. As the protests grew, additional military units equipped with heavy weapons were deployed by the Kurdistan Regional Government KRG, and residents say security forces have used indiscriminate gunfire to disperse the crowds, endangering the lives of demonstrators.
After nearly two days under military siege, with home searches and the arrest of protest organizers, many residents of in the village of Lajan, in the Khabat district, have fled.
One protester was killed and eight others were injured during Saturday night’s clashes. The unrest has since spread beyond Lajan.
How the protests began
The demonstrations started on Saturday, November 29, when a group of Lajan villagers gathered in front of the Lanaz refinery.
Witnesses say villagers wanted their own trucks to be used to transport refinery fuel, arguing that the refinery sits on their land and its pollution directly affects them. Others called for improved local services.
The Lanaz refinery, opened in 2022 by KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, processes 75,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Built on 620 acres, it produces gasoline, bitumen, and several types of fuel.
According to KirkukNow, the refinery landowners were compensated and some locals were hired, in line with existing regulations.
However, a local witness anonymously stated, “People are demanding more jobs and services because the refinery pollutes the area and not everyone has benefited equally from job opportunities.”
Escalation and casualties
The protests turned violent on Saturday, November 29, when more security forces arrived to protect the refinery. Clashes resulted in the death of Irfan Bahadin, 25, a truck driver, and injuries to eight others—one critically.
“Irfan was shot by security forces when they opened fire on the crowd,” his uncle told reporters.
Shamsaddin Harki, whose brother was wounded, confirmed that his brother remains hospitalized in unstable condition. He declined to further comment about the current situation in the village.
Government response
The KRG’s Ministry of Interior accused the protesters of “rioting” and being influenced by “outside elements.”
Their statement also claimed that demonstrators blocked tanker routes in Gwer and opened fire on vehicles, killing one person and wounding several others. The ministry warned it would act firmly against “destructive behaviors.”
Military siege of Lajan
Following the Ministry’s statement, forces carrying both heavy and light weapons surrounded Lajan. Access in and out of the village was restricted, media were blocked, and internet service was periodically cut.
Units deployed included the Peshmerga Special Brigade of the 80th Unit and the Zeravani forces. The Special Brigade is commanded by Mansour Barzani, son of Kurdistan Democratic Party KDP leader Masoud Barzani.
The siege intensified on the night of November 30, with more troops and checkpoints appearing and extensive searches conducted.
Call to evacuate
Frustration grew as five protest organizers were detained. In response, a local resident used the mosque loudspeaker during noon prayers to call on villagers to evacuate Lajan.
A witness said the detainees were mostly individuals who posted videos and live coverage of confrontations with security forces, including supporters of the late Harki tribal leader Mohiuddin Harki.
Phone lines were reportedly unstable, making communication outside the village difficult.
Protests spread to Khabat
Residents of Khabat district—primarily from the Harki tribe—set tires ablaze and blocked the Mosul–Erbil highway in solidarity with Lajan residents.
Khabat lies 37 km from Lajan and is largely inhabited by the Harki tribe, one of the largest tribes in Iraq, mainly spread in the Nineveh Plain, west and southwest of Erbil. The conflict between the Harki tribe and the Barzani family has its roots in history and resurfaces from time to time
In September, tribal figure Khurshid Harki also clashed with security forces but later reaffirmed his support for the Barzani family and the KDP during the election campaign.
Meeting with the Minister of Interior
On Monday evening, Lajan village head Maqsood Harki and several village elders met with KRG Interior Minister Rebar Ahmad. In a press conference afterward, they again emphasized the alleged presence of “foreign interference” in the events.
They urged villagers to return home, claiming the situation in Lajan had calmed.
However, many—especially younger residents—refused to go back, staying about a kilometer outside the village as protests continued in Khabat.
