Iraqi army arrests Kurdish farmer in Sargaran, bans agriculture

Nov. 10, 2024

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Iraqi army has imposed a siege on villages in the Sargaran sub-district of Kirkuk and arrested a Kurdish farmer, following a recent ban on agricultural activities in the area by the Kirkuk Operations Command.

Since Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, Talaat Kanabi Abdullah, a farmer from Shanagha village in Sargaran sub-district, has been detained by Iraqi forces and remains in custody.

"My brother has been detained for four days, and they intend to prosecute him for working on our own land," Ahmed Kanabi, the detained farmer's brother, told Kurdistan24 reporter Hemn Delo on Sunday. 

"The Iraqi army has surrounded Shanagha village and other nearby villages for several days, arresting any farmer who attempts to access their agricultural lands," he added.

Through Kurdistan24, Kanabi appealed for urgent intervention to resolve the farmers' situation and stop what he described as harassment by the Iraqi army and Arab settlers.

"Otherwise, there will be dire consequences, as we Kurdish farmers will not abandon our lands. Whatever happens, we will continue our work regardless of any orders," he warned.

The Sargaran area, located in the Kurdistani territories between the Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq, has historically been a predominantly Kurdish agricultural region. 

Recent tensions reflect ongoing disputes over land ownership and agricultural rights in territories covered by Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution. 

The area has witnessed various demographic changes over the decades, with Kurdish farmers facing challenges to their traditional land rights. This latest incident adds to a pattern of tensions between local Kurdish farmers and federal security forces in disputed territories, particularly regarding land use and agricultural activities.

Further reporting for this article was done by Kurdistan24's reporter Hemn Delo.