15 human smugglers arrested on border with Iran: security forces

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region  – Iraqi citizens who found themselves in Iran during the coronavirus crisis are paying to be smuggled across the border back to the Kurdistan Region to avoid quarantine.

Sulaimani’s security forces (Asayesh) have announced the arrest of 15 alleged smugglers in recent days. Local authorities consider those who have returned from Iran and evaded quarantine as posing grave danger to society.

Border villages residents have urged the KRG to impose harsher measures against smugglers and those they transport. Villagers fear if the trend is not controlled, they will bear the brunt of the virus outbreak.

The KRG has also authorized border guards to fire upon anyone caught crossing borders illegally.

“Unfortunately, in addition to the border crossings, some people return illegally. I hope this is no longer the case. They harm their own families, those in close proximity to them, and society as a whole,” said Azad Mohammed Amin, head of Sulaimani’s Provincial Council.

“We hope no more people have chosen to be smuggled back in. Those who cross legally  are subject to all administrative and health measures so they and their families do not contract the coronavirus,” added Amin. 

The Kurdistan Region has a 625 kilometer shared border with Iran.

Other than a total of six confirmed cases of corona in Sulaimani, no other cases have been reported in the Kurdistan Region.

Reporting by Hunar Ahmed