Tribal leader thanks President Barzani for resolving dispute after deadly clashes

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A major land dispute that escalated into deadly clashes between a prominent tribe and security forces earlier this week was resolved after Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani intervened, and the tribal leader on Thursday thanked the president for his efforts. 

Khurshid Harki, a prominent figure from the Harki tribe, has been involved in a land dispute with the Goran tribe in Erbil’s Khabat district. The dispute led to deadly clashes on Tuesday when Kurdish security forces went to the district to confront Harki, sparking deadly confrontations with tribesmen. 

The clashes led to the deaths of one tribesman and a member of the security forces. 

“That incident was a major disaster, and so we appealed to His Excellency President Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, so that the disaster would not become greater,” Harki told Rudaw, adding that “the issue was resolved” after Barzani intervened and sent a team to Khabat to investigate. 

Harki confirmed that a committee has been formed to investigate the disputes. “Whatever decision is made, we will have no objection to it,” he said. 

“On behalf of the Harki tribe, I thank President Nechirvan Barzani for his role and concern, so that no more of our citizens’ blood would be shed,” Harki reiterated. 

The dispute in Khabat occurred due to disagreements between the Harki and Goran tribes over ownership of an overlapping strategic piece of land. 

[Source: Rudaw]