Erbil police ban fireworks during New Year celebrations

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Erbil police have announced a comprehensive security plan for the New Year holidays, stressing that celebratory gunfire and the use of fireworks will not be tolerated.

Lieutenant Colonel Kifah Hassan, spokesperson for the Erbil police, told Rudaw on Thursday that a joint security committee has been formed to maintain order across the city. The committee includes the police, internal security forces (Asayish), and traffic police.

"Shooting and the use of fireworks are strictly prohibited in all forms," Hassan said, warning that violators will face legal consequences. "Legal action will be taken against anyone who causes public disturbance or chaos."

According to the police spokesperson, the security plan was drafted in coordination with all relevant authorities and will be enforced throughout the holiday period. He said security forces will be deployed extensively across the city to prevent any illegal or unusual activities.

"Our teams will be on full alert within the city to ensure public safety," Hassan stated. He added that the use of fireworks is completely banned, "with the exception of official displays organized and used by official parties."

As part of the plan, mobile patrols will be operating continuously in residential neighborhoods and alleyways, while joint security forces will be stationed at designated celebration venues to protect citizens and maintain public order.

The New Year holidays officially begin on the eve of December 25. The police security plan has already been implemented and will remain in effect until the end of the holiday season, authorities said.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has declared a nine-day New Year holiday, which starts on Thursday.

It has become a tradition in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region for the joy of important occasions in the country to be celebrated with fireworks and gunfire in the air. The unusual displays of jubilation often lead to injuries, fires, and in some cases, fatalities.

The decision to ban celebratory gunfire and fireworks comes amid recurring holiday casualties across the country. During the 2024 New Year celebrations alone, at least one person was killed, and 132 others were injured in incidents linked to gunfire and fireworks across Iraq, with the recorded injuries being relatively lower than the previous years, according to Iraqi officials.