ERBIL,— A man was shot and killed by a security officer affiliated with Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region late Sunday during protests over electricity outages, according to residents and a medical source who spoke to AFP.
The incident took place in Warte town in Rawandz, a region northeast of Kurdistan’s capital, Erbil, where residents said demonstrators blocked a major highway leading to the Iranian border crossing. Local witnesses said security forces moved in to reopen the road, sparking clashes with protesters.
A medical official at Ashti hospital in the area confirmed the arrival of a man who died from gunshot wounds. Residents identified the victim as Hassan Abdul Rhaman, a 45-year-old father of ten, who was reportedly participating in the protests.
It remains unclear how exactly the man was shot, but a protester told AFP that security forces were responsible for the fatal shooting.
KDP Regional officials have yet to issue any comment regarding the protests or the incident.
Kurdistan, known for its relative stability in the otherwise volatile Iraqi landscape, recently announced improvements in electricity access.
Authorities said more than 30 percent of the region now receives 24-hour state-provided electricity.
Despite this, large parts of the region still suffer from extended power cuts, forcing many families to rely on private generators.
Although Iraq has substantial oil and gas reserves, corruption and poor management have hindered the development of adequate power infrastructure.
The national electricity grid struggles to meet demand, and much of Kurdistan’s power supply depends on imports from neighboring Iran, leading to frequent outages—especially during the hot summer months.
On Monday, the New Generation faction in the Iraqi Parliament said it plans to call for an official investigation into the deaths linked to recent protests. The faction accused the ruling PUK and KDP parties of bearing responsibility, according to NRT TV.
Sarwa Abdulwahid, the faction leader, accused the two parties of injustice, theft, and repression against the people of Kurdistan. “We will not accept that the PUK and KDP continue treating citizens like this while looting public wealth,” Abdulwahid said.
She emphasized that the failure of these ruling parties over the past 33 years has deprived citizens of basic rights, including reliable electricity and services.
She noted that the protests are not against the new electricity project itself but against its high costs and the corruption involved.
Abdulwahid also urged the the de facto Kurdish administration, which refers to itself as the Kurdistan Regional Government KRG, to negotiate a fair and lawful agreement with Baghdad to address ongoing problems.
Abdulwahid addressed her party and allies, stating, “They oppress, torture, and kill you, but regardless of their tenure, the people will hold them accountable daily.”
She further highlighted that the protester killed in Warte was affiliated with Barzani’s KDP party’s armed wing, condemning the violence and calling for justice in this world and the next.
(With files from AFP | NRT TV | Agencies)
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Full-day electricity reaches 30% of Iraqi Kurdistan, officials say
