Iraqi army arrests two Kurdish farmers in Sargaran area
Speaking to Kurdistan24, Dashti Agha, one of the detained farmers, reported that "Iraqi army forces with military vehicles raided my home in Palkana and arrested me under the pretext of plowing my land."
Nov. 24, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Two Kurdish farmers were arrested by Iraqi military forces in the villages of Palkana and Shnagha within the Sargaran border area, according to local sources.
Speaking to Kurdistan24, Dashti Agha, one of the detained farmers, reported that "Iraqi army forces with military vehicles raided my home in Palkana and arrested me under the pretext of plowing my land."
"Currently, I am being questioned at the Sargaran police station along with another farmer from Shnagha named Farman," Agha added.
He emphasized that "our arrest is unjust and illegal, as all my lands have official deeds." Agha appealed to Kurdish officials to intervene and "end the oppression against Kurdish farmers, especially during the crucial planting season when our livelihood depends on agricultural work."
Land disputes in Kurdistani territories outside the KRG administration have been an ongoing source of tension. These areas, particularly in regions like Sargaran, have witnessed recurring incidents involving local farmers and federal security forces.
The issue is complicated by overlapping jurisdictions and competing claims to land ownership, often affecting Kurdish farmers' ability to cultivate their traditionally owned lands. These tensions are particularly acute during farming seasons when agricultural activities are essential for local livelihoods.
