Erbil shopkeepers to receive financial aid, tax relief after market fires

ERBIL — Shopkeepers in the Langa and Shekhalla markets of Erbil who suffered losses from recent fires will receive financial aid and tax relief, Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw announced on Monday.

During a ceremony held on Sept. 9, 2024, Khoshnaw confirmed that affected shopkeepers would be granted 2 million Iraqi dinars (about $1,342 USD) in financial assistance. Additionally, they will benefit from a 30% tax reduction for 2023 and a full tax exemption for 2024. This relief package also includes waivers for annual rent and garbage collection fees.

This year, two separate fires broke out in the Langa market, destroying a total of 114 shops. Another fire at the Shekhalla market resulted in the loss of 17 shops.

Khoshnaw noted that “two companies have been contracted for the reconstruction of the Langa market, with 600 million dinars [about $402,000 USD] allocated for this purpose.”

On Sunday, Sept. 8, shopkeepers affected by a fire in the Qaisari Market also received compensation ranging from 2 to 20 million dinars ($1,342 to $13,422 USD). They were granted a one-year exemption from fees for water, electricity, signage, and waste collection.

Erbil has seen at least ten significant market fires this year, all causing substantial financial losses for vendors. The most severe fire occurred on May 5 at the Qaysari Market, destroying 227 shops and seven warehouses, and injuring 132 people.

A major fire on Feb. 27 at the Langa Market destroyed 185 shops, with losses estimated at 6.75 billion dinars ($5.15 million). Additional fires followed in March and April, damaging shops and warehouses across Erbil. Most recently, on Aug. 13, a fire broke out at the historic Dalalkhan Market, causing significant damage to at least two shops.

On July 1, Iraqi and Kurdish authorities accused the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK,  of orchestrating a series of fires in three northern cities. They announced the arrest of three suspects, including two individuals allegedly linked to security forces in Sulaymaniyah.

The PKK also rejected the allegations, calling them “baseless.” The group emphasized its role in defending Kurdish and Iraqi cities during the fight against ISIS, stating it has no “hostility toward the Iraqi state and people.” The PKK urged authorities to find the true perpetrators and accused Turkish intelligence of being behind the fires.