By Muzafar Abdulla

mzafar_as@yahoo.com

The demonstrations of the masses of people in the Iraqi Kurdistan  which are mainly in the city of Suleimanyia and surrounding towns including Ranyia, Chwarqorna, Dokan, Qaladiza, Darbandighan, Said Sadiq, Alapcha, Khormal, Kalar, Kifri, Ghanaqeen, Chamchamal, Takyia, Peramagron, Koya, Taqtaq and Aghjlar and other towns have going on daily basis since 17th February 201.

 On the first day of these demonstration, 17th February 2011 three people were killed and over 40 people injured by the gunmen of the Kurdistan Democratic Party-KDP and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan-PUK.   Thousands participate in the demonstration at Freedom Square in the centre of Suleimanyia. The protests are against the regional government in Kurdistan and in particular the KDP and PUK who have been ruling for 20 years through their militia. This month the people of Kurdistan will celebrated the 20th anniversary of liberating the region form the forces of the Baath regime.

From day one the protesting people presented their demands to the authority in Kurdistan and also supported the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya and other countries. The protestors raise the slogan: Here is Altahrir Square and you Must Still Remember Mubarak. This while Jalal Talabani and Masoud Barazani were sending support letters to Mubarak and Qadafi.

It is reported that over 10,000 people demonstrated on first day of protest on 17th February 2011 at Freedom Square. The slogans were: End militia based authority, end all form of corruption and favoritism, unemployment benefit, better electricity and running water, subsides staple food, free health services and many other demands.

Later the demonstrators marched in front of the office of the 4th section of KDP led by Masoud Barzani and shouted slogans. The KDP’s gunmen were ordered to open fire on demonstrators killing a 12 year old child called Reshwan Ali and injurying over 40 people. Two wounded people died later. Later the protestors pelted the headquarter of the KDP and PUK with stones. This crime increased the anger against KDP and PUK and helped the protest spread to other towns. In other location, three more demonstrators were killed and scores injured. On 25th February another demonstrator was killed in Suleimanyia by police. On the same day the KDP forces in Chamchamal opened fire on demonstrators killing another 12 year child called Garmian. So far hundreds of people have been arrested.  On 25th February three of the leaders of the Worker-communist Party of Kurdistan who has had prominent role in leading the protests were arrested. These were Moyad Ahmad, Nawzad Baban, Shaghwan Nasih along with Khalid Majeed a leader of protests. They were released after few days under intense public pressure.

In the other cities of Kurdistan, people are very unhappy with these two parties that rule through militias and with the support of the USA. In Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan, the youth have formed scores of protesting groups and are striving to organize an uprising but they have face heavy hand oppression by the KDP’s oppressive apparatuses. So far 40 people have been arrested including Dr. Beshtiwan who is an Australian citizen.

The demonstrators in Sulimanyaia have formed a provisional council to lead and represent the demonstrations. This Provisional Council presented the demands of the demonstrators which include 40 political, economic and social demands. The Council has threatened to call for general protest. In addition to the intense oppression the rulers are trying their best to destroy the movement through making deals with Islamic and nationalist opposition within the movement. Many meetings have been held with the Goran (change movement) and an agreement between this movement and the government is likely. There are ongoing demonstration by the Kurds people living in Europe, North America and Australia in support of the protest movements in Kurdistan.