Sulaimani protesting teachers blocked from entering Erbil

Barzani Security Forces Block Sulaimani Teachers Protesting Unpaid Wages from Entering Erbil

ERBIL/SULAIMANI,—Iraqi Kurdistan’s Erbil security forces affiliated with the Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) blocked teachers from Sulaimani and surrounding areas from entering Erbil on Monday, as they sought to protest unpaid wages that have gone unresolved for months.

The protest, organized by educators from Sulaimani and Koya, was aimed at demanding the payment of overdue salaries, with many teachers having gone without pay since December 2024. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) had repeatedly promised to address the issue, but teachers say their wages remain withheld, contributing to widespread dissatisfaction in the region.

The Erbil Teachers Union confirmed that Mamosta Nawzad Omar, Deputy Head of the union, was reportedly arrested early on Sunday morning by Erbil security forces as he and other teachers prepared to protest.

Dozens of teachers in Sulaimani have gone on hunger strike for over 10 days to protest the non-payment of their salaries. Some of the teachers have reportedly started to experience health complications due to the prolonged strike, but they remain resolute in their demand for overdue wages.

While teachers and other public sector employees in Iraqi Kurdistan Region have been facing delayed payments for several months, Barzani’s government has only paid civil servants in Erbil and Duhok, which fall under his control, while withholding wages in Sulaimani province.

This unequal distribution of resources has led to widespread frustration, particularly in areas governed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), including Sulaimani, where protests are more common.

In an attempt to prevent the protest, security forces stationed at the Pedaka border crossing, which lies between Erbil and the Koya and Sulaimani regions, stopped the demonstrators from entering the city. Despite the blockade, a group of teachers and other protesters from areas like Germiyan remained resolute, determined to press forward with their demands.

Erbil’s Governor, Omed Xoshnaw, addressed the situation in a press briefing, stating that while the city is usually open to visitors, it would not host the protest. Xoshnaw claimed that the demonstration had not been authorized, and insisted that protesters should follow the proper legal procedures if they wished to hold gatherings in the city.

“Erbil has always welcomed visitors, but today, we do not have the capacity to host such a gathering,” Xoshnaw said. He also pointed out that the protestors had not sought permission to enter the city, stressing that legal procedures must be followed.

Protests are strictly prohibited in Erbil and Duhok, regions controlled by the Barzani family. Public demonstrations are routinely blocked, and participants are often arrested. However, protests are allowed in areas controlled by the Talabani’s PUK, including Sulaimani, where teachers and other public sector workers have staged regular demonstrations in recent weeks.

Erbil security forces, affiliated with Barzani’s KDP party, fired tear gas at striking Sulaimani teachers attempting to enter Erbil for a protest, the Degala checkpoint, Iraqi Kurdistan, February 9, 2025. Photo: Channel8 TV

This stark contrast between the two political factions has fueled tensions, with protests occurring freely in PUK-controlled territories but facing harsh suppression in Barzani-controlled areas.

The ongoing salary crisis and the government’s heavy-handed response to protests have deepened the divide between the two parties, further polarizing the region’s political landscape.

The standoff continues, with teachers and public sector workers in Sulaimani and surrounding areas determined to voice their grievances while facing strong opposition from the Barzani-led security forces.

The financial control of the KRG remains in the hands of the Barzani family, who have been paying civil servants in Erbil and Duhok while withholding wages in Sulaimani.

This unequal distribution of resources has fueled further discontent and unrest, particularly among teachers and public employees in Sulaimani province.

(With files from NRT TV | Rojnews | Agencies)