Nomadic farmers blocked from prime grazing areas due to local tensions

BALAKAYATI, Kurdistan Region — Tens of nomadic families are trapped between Choman and Haji Omaran prevented from going to prime grazing areas by the government due to local tensions. 

“We are not allowed to go to the area because the government claims there are [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] PKK members there. We have remained here,” said Mahmood Mohammed, a livestock farmer, who travelled to the area from the Erbil plains with his 500 sheep. “I ask the government to find a solution and allow us to pass. Otherwise, we will have to return to the Garmen [plains] where there is no water and pasture areas.”

During summers, the nomadic families move their flock of sheep to the province’s mountainous areas of Balakayati and Bradost for more water sources and places to graze. They are Erbil’s largest summer grazing areas, feeding more than half a million sheep each year.

“The Peshmerga ministry has set up checkpoints on the main roads to the mountainous areas,” added Mohammed. According to them, nomads face danger from local tensions should they enter.

“If this keeps up, we'll have to sell our sheep and take them to the livestock market, where no one will buy them,” said Jangi Ali, another livestock farmer.

Swara Akram, mayor of Choman, says local authorities are in contact with the Erbil governor and the Agriculture Ministry to make accommodations for the livestock owners and farmers.

Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed