Iraqi Army Bans Kurdistan24's Reporting Amid Farmer Protests
Protests erupted over the Iraqi army’s intervention against Kurdish farmers reclaiming land, sparking widespread reactions across the Kurdistan Region and beyond.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Iraqi army has imposed a reporting ban on Kurdistan24 following the network’s extensive coverage of ongoing farmer protests in Shanagha village, located in Kirkuk’s Garmiyan border area.
The protests, which erupted in response to the Iraqi army’s intervention against Kurdish farmers reclaiming their land, have ignited widespread public and political reactions across the Kurdistan Region and beyond.
Shanagha Incident and Kurdistan24’s Coverage
Kurdistan24’s correspondents Hemin Delo and Soran Kamaran, along with their cameramen, were the first to provide in-depth coverage of the escalating tensions in Shanagha on Monday.
Read More: Kurdish farmers stand firm amid tensions with Iraqi army in Kirkuk
Their reporting captured Iraqi army forces confronting Kurdish farmers attempting to plow their lands, despite a legal framework that nullifies Baath-era policies used to justify land seizures.
A video widely circulated on social media and picked up by numerous media outlets showed a dramatic moment in which an Iraqi soldier aggressively pulled on a farmer’s scarf in an attempt to force him off his tractor.
The farmer, resisting the soldier’s pressure, defiantly declared, “Even if I die, I will not get down from the tractor!” This moment quickly became emblematic of the farmers’ determination and resistance against military intimidation.
“Even if I die, I will not get down from the tractor!”
The Kurdistan24 team’s visual documentation of the protest and the military’s heavy-handed tactics led to immediate reactions from various stakeholders, further intensifying scrutiny of Baghdad’s approach to handling Kurdish land rights in Kirkuk.
Iraqi Army Bans Kurdistan24’s Coverage
By the morning of Tuesday, the situation in Shanagha had escalated further.
Kurdistan24 correspondent Hemin Delo, who had remained in the village overnight to continue coverage, reported that the Iraqi army had dramatically increased its presence, surrounding Shanagha with heavily armed forces on high alert.
Additional reinforcements were deployed at checkpoints leading into the village, restricting movement in and out of the area.
Delo further reported that an Iraqi military unit directly confronted the Kurdistan24 team, ordering them to cease their coverage.
“This morning, an Iraqi army force approached us and informed us that, due to Kurdistan24’s extensive coverage and the viral sharing of photos and videos on social media, they have been instructed to ban our channel’s reporting,” he stated.
However, Kurdistan24 remained resolute in its commitment to journalistic integrity.
“We rejected this and told the Iraqi army that we do not take orders from them,” Delo asserted. “Kurdistan24 will continue to be the voice of Kirkuk’s Kurdish farmers as they fight for their rights and dignity.”
Farmers Issue 48-Hour Ultimatum to Iraqi Army
Amid the escalating confrontation, local farmers have responded with bold defiance.
A Shanagha farmer, speaking to Kurdistan24, condemned the military’s actions, stating, “The Iraqi army is a chauvinistic force that does not abide by any laws or agreements. We have given the army a 48-hour ultimatum to leave our village. If they continue to obstruct us until Thursday, February 20, 2025, we will plow our lands even if we have to sacrifice our lives for it.”
The ultimatum underscores the deep-seated frustration among Kurdish farmers, who have long faced bureaucratic and military obstacles in reclaiming their agricultural lands.
Symbolic Support from ‘Mam Sabir’
The resistance movement in Shanagha has also drawn the emotional support of prominent Kurdish figures. Mam (A term of endearment) Sabir, a well-respected farmer and symbol of agricultural resilience in Kirkuk’s Pelkana village, expressed his solidarity with the protesting farmers in a heartfelt statement.
With tears in his eyes, Mam Sabir told Kurdistan24 correspondent Soran Kamaran, “I am very ill, but I was aware of yesterday’s incident in Shanagha. My heart longed to be there, but my health would not allow it. When I saw the farmers standing against the army, I said from my heart: May I be sacrificed for you. Long live.”
A Shanagha farmer condemned the military’s actions, stating, “The Iraqi army is a chauvinistic force that does not abide by any laws."
— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) February 18, 2025
Mam Sabir: "Due to my illness, I couldn’t be there. In my heart, I kept saying, "I am always ready to sacrifice myself for you." pic.twitter.com/cTS6lPjNNN
President Barzani: Scenes of Kurdish farmers being harassed remind us of Anfal and chemical attacks
President Barzani announced in a message on Monday that "The scenes of Kurdish farmers being harassed and the improper behavior preventing Kurdish farmers from accessing their lands remind us of the Anfal, chemical attacks, and genocide committed against our people in the previous century."
Read More: President Masoud Barzani stands firm against violations on Kurdish farmers' land
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President Barzani also stated that "Chauvinistic and unconscionable actions are being taken against innocent Kurdish farmers in Kirkuk province, whose only crime is being Kurdish and the original owners of their lands."
He also made a request to the Iraqi Prime Minister, saying: "Prevent the recurrence of this injustice and arrest and legally punish those who committed these crimes."
Kurdistan Region Presidency: Iraqi Army's behavior is unacceptable
Dilshad Shahab, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Presidency, issued a statement regarding the Shanagha village incident, declaring: "This behavior is completely rejected and unacceptable. The Kurdistan Region Presidency is closely following the matter and has requested relevant parties to take necessary measures against those responsible for these actions and prevent their recurrence."
Read More: Iraq’s Military Restrictions on Kurdish Farmers Are 'Unacceptable,' Says Kurdistan Region Presidency
The Kurdistan Region Presidency spokesperson added: "These behaviors harm coexistence and social peace, and all parties must reject such treatment and behaviors, condemn those responsible, and subject them to legal punishment."
Masrour Barzani: These actions by the Iraqi army are unconstitutional
The office of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stated regarding the incident that "These actions by the Iraqi army contradict the constitution and the principles upon which the new Iraq was built, as using the army for these purposes is against the law and constitution. These behaviors must be stopped as soon as possible before they lead to undesired consequences."
The statement noted that "This incident comes at a time when progress has been made in eliminating the effects of the former regime's decisions regarding demographic changes in Kurdish areas outside the region's administration and the seizure of land and property belonging to the area's indigenous people. The Iraqi Parliament also approved a special bill last month regarding the return of lands to their original owners."
Wider Implications and Ongoing Struggle
The Shanagha protests and the Iraqi army’s attempt to silence independent reporting highlight the broader and ongoing struggle over land rights in disputed areas, particularly in Kirkuk.
The repeal of former Baathist land seizure policies has not translated into full security or access for Kurdish farmers, who continue to face barriers imposed by military and governmental authorities.
The suppression of Kurdistan24’s coverage raises significant concerns about press freedom in Iraq, especially in politically sensitive regions.
The network has vowed to persist in delivering truthful and independent journalism despite attempts to curb its operations.
As the 48-hour ultimatum deadline approaches, tensions remain high in Shanagha, with both farmers and security forces standing their ground.
Kurdistan24 will continue to report on these developments as they unfold, ensuring that the voices of the affected Kurdish communities are heard.