| Sulaymaniyah protests | |||||||||||
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| Part of 2011 Iraqi protests | |||||||||||
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| Parties to the civil conflict | |||||||||||
| Kurdistan Regional Government | Demonstrators Opposition |
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The 2011 Sulaymaniyah protests refers to a series of protests and demonstrations that started in the city of Sulaymaniyah on 17th February 2011. The demonstrations started peacefully but escalated to clashes between security forces and demonstrations several times until an eventual crackdown by authorities.
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Inspired by the 2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests the Movement for Change, a mayor opposition party, called for the resignation of the Cabinet and the disbanding of the Kurdistan Regional Government. The movement was criticized by ruling and opposition parties for causing unnecessary unrest[1]. Qubad Talabani was quoted saying there was no need for the disbanding because "unlike Tunisia & Egypt, there is an open political process with a viable opposition in Kurdistan[2]". Despite the criticism the Movement for Change pushed for demonstrations.
On the 17th of February 2011 a crowd of 3000 protested against corruption and lack of jobs and services. The demonstrations turned violent when a group of protesters tried to storm the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and threw rocks at the building. The security guards responded by shooting into the crowd several times to disperse them during which two people died and 47 were wounded[3][4]. The Movement for Change took responsibility for the demonstrations but said it had nothing to do with the storming of the building and condemned the attack on the headquarters.
In the following weeks the demonstration expanded and reached a height of 7000 protesters. A sit-in demonstration was held and demonstrators occupied the Freedom Square in Sulaymaniyah[5]. Religious leaders and other opposition parties joined the protestors[6]Security forces clashed with protesters several times and both sides took casualties resulting in the dead of ten people[7]
The opposition called for a motion of no confidence against the cabinet of prime minister Barham Salih. The motion was rejected with 67 to 28. The opposition said it didn't expect the motion to pass but that it wanted to give a symbolic gesture[8]. Barham Salih responded by saying that the debate "offered opportunity to present achievements, challenges& agenda for expanding reforms. [We] Must listen to voices of people[9].
On the 19th of April security forces stormed the main square that was occupied by protesters and dispersed the crowds[10]. Security forced were deployed all around the province making for an uneasy peace between authorities and civilians[11].