MESOP MIDEAST WATCH: PKK Turning Sulaymaniyah Camp into Its Organizational Center (NORDIRAK)

10.8.22 ERBIL — The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is turning Arbat refugee camp in Sulaymaniyah province into one of its organizational centers, similarly to what the armed group did in the Makhmour Refugee Camp, according to the information BasNews has obtained.

On July 29, 2022, Khadija Hazar, a senior PKK leader, was killed in a special operation carried out by the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MiT) in Sulaymaniyah, the news of which was not reported by official organizations. On the same day, Jamil Hawrami, a senior member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), told BasNews: “The woman visited Arbat camp and she was targeted after leaving the camp.”

Arbat camp is only 15 kilometers far from Sulaymaniyah

After the start of the civil war in Syria and the Arab Spring, some Kurds from Syria and Rojava were displaced and they took refuge in the camp, which is recognized as a civilian shelter by the United Nations and other human rights organizations.

According to the information BasNews has obtained, the PKK has been working on Arbat camp and created several organizational cells inside it. The PKK is also considering the establishment of a special armed group under the pretext of protecting the camp, in an apparent attempt to take control of the site. Subsequently, other than using the refugees as a “human shield”, the armed group might also attempt to recruit children from the camp to increase the number of its fighters and use them when needed.

A PUK lawmaker warns

PKK activities in Sulaymaniyah have spread to all other areas. According to Ata Mamahaji, the father of a deceased PKK fighter in Said Sadiq, whose son was killed late last month, the PKK has 50 centers for recruiting children in Said Sadiq alone. It has become a considerable concern among the people and there is a risk that the PKK will turn the Arbat camp into an organizational center like it did to Makhmour camp.

Speaking to BasNews, Ballanbo Mohammed, a member of Kurdistan Region parliament, noted that armed groups cannot be taken to civilian areas but that this issue cannot be resolved “politically”, noting “this issue is not in the power of individuals. The parties must resolve it. There must be an agreement and understanding so that Arbat camp does not suffer like Makhmur camp.”

Sulaymaniyah Provincial Council calls for prevention of political activities inside the camp

Sewa Hama Khidir, a member of the Sulaymaniyah Provincial Council, told BasNews that Arbat camp should remain a civilian center. “A camp should not be turned into a party headquarters, armed forces or armed cells. A camp should not be turned into a place for armed forces and party organizational work. This is very dangerous,” she said.

Srwa also noted that they will launch an investigation into the issue, pointing out the management of the camp could be improved through joint work between the provincial council and relevant authorities.

Moreover, Barzan Hamid, a member of the security and internal affairs committee in the provincial council, told BasNews that the security agencies and the governor should take the necessary measures to prevent any party organizational work in the camp.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) institutions, which are the executive branch, should monitor the situation and ensure the lives of the refugees, he said.