In recent days, protests characterized by clashes, violence, and riots have continued in various areas of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, particularly in Sulaymaniyah Governorate. The protests began following large demonstrations by university students demanding better conditions for their university dormitories and the reinstatement of monthly stipends from the Ministry of Higher Education of the regional government, which have been halted for years. However, observers believe that the violence displayed by security forces complicates the situation, amid claims about the presence of infiltrators among the students aiming to steer their demands towards political agendas of certain groups.
Over the past two days, protesters attacked several government and party headquarters as well as public properties, setting some of them ablaze, including the public library building in the town of Bera Makhron in Sulaymaniyah Governorate. In the latest developments, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi intervened in the crisis on Thursday through a tweet on his Twitter account, stating: "The recent painful events in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, especially in beloved Sulaymaniyah, call for a responsible stance from everyone to protect social peace and halt the deterioration. Peaceful demonstrations are a constitutionally guaranteed right, and any attack on demonstrators, as well as on public or private property, is unacceptable."
In comments regarding these developments, Kawa Jamal Rashid, Deputy President of the University of Sulaymaniyah, said in an interview with Sky News Arabia: "What has regrettably happened with violence is denounced by us, and we fully support the students' demands and their legitimate calls for securing their rights and improving their educational circumstances. From our side at the University of Sulaymaniyah, we have long addressed the regional government, demanding the resumption of monthly stipends for students, especially as the economic conditions are now improving. In our view, there must be a response to student calls and needs."
Rashid added: "However, at the same time, we condemn the violence and attacks on public facilities that accompanied some student protests, which we believe were caused by infiltrators from certain political parties or groups seeking to capitalize on the students' anger for their own benefit. We believe that those who committed acts of vandalism and violence are mostly not university students who should exemplify adherence to the values of peaceful civic protest, away from chaotic behaviors. What has occurred in recent days, and the infiltration of their protests, has harmed the reputation and image of our students. The acts of arson, looting, and destruction targeting public institutions and facilities are a form of chaos, irresponsibility, and recklessness unbefitting students expected to be role models for civilized behavior and rational engagement with problems and crises."
According to Rashid, matters are moving toward the resumption of regular monthly stipends for students, which will contribute to improving their conditions and alleviating their concerns, as these stipends have been halted since 2014.
