Iraqi border guard fatally shoots Kurdish kolbar in Halabja

HALABJA — A young Kurdish kolbar was fatally shot by the Iraqi Border Guard in Halabja province’s Hawraman area last night, leading to a tense standoff when local residents tried to set fire to a nearby border post.

Aram Khalil, 27, was attempting to cross the border illegally near the villages of Haneidan and Sargat when he was shot. Khalil was rushed to Khurmal Hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.

Residents from Khalil’s village, Sargast, where he lived, confronted the border post in retaliation. Security forces, aided by religious leaders, managed to prevent any damage to the facility.

Kolbars, often from the Kurdish regions of Iran, Iraq, and Turkey, transport goods across borders to sustain their livelihood. These individuals navigate mountainous terrains, carrying items like food and electronics despite the inherent risks.

The Iraqi Border Guard, tasked with securing the nation’s 3,719-kilometer border, also combats smuggling and illegal crossings through measures like electronic surveillance and collaborations with neighboring nations.

The first half of 2024 has seen a significant spike in kolbar casualties, with 100s of reported incidents of death or injury.

Khalil, an orphan, supported his two younger sisters and a brother through his work as a kolbar.