'Every kind of item is sold here'

Residents of Sulaymaniyah turn to flea market as finance woes deepen for many families

2024-09-20 | 14:41

SULAYMANIYAH — Mazadkhana, the local flea market in Sulaymaniyah, has become a gathering point for residents facing economic challenges. Many come to sell household items to make ends meet, while others search for affordable goods.

As the day progresses, the market fills with vendors hoping to make a sale. The stories behind the items sold reflect both the hardships and resilience of the community. According to traders, a significant number of people now visit the market due to unemployment, delayed public salaries, and a lack of stable income.

“Each item has a story,” said Taha Hama Amin, a long-time vendor at Mazadkhana. “For some, it’s about survival. One young man told me he couldn’t even afford milk and diapers for his children.”

Many buyers from central and southern Iraq also frequent the market, looking for bargains. “You can find everything here, from carpets and refrigerators to furniture and plates,” Amin added.

For vendors like Dilshad Omer, who has been in the business for over 15 years, the market’s atmosphere reflects the broader financial struggles families are facing. “Some people sell their belongings after a divorce, others before migrating to Europe. Many are selling because of poverty and salary delays,” Omer explained.

The financial struggles in the Kurdistan Region stem from ongoing salary delays, a persistent issue caused by disputes between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Baghdad. These budget disagreements, along with declining oil prices, the fight against ISIS, and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have placed considerable strain on the region. Public sector employees, in particular, have faced months-long delays in their pay, with some experiencing delays of up to 50 days. This has led many to the market to sell their belongings just to cover basic living expenses.

However, not everyone is selling out of necessity. “Some people just want to change their furniture,” Omer noted. “There have been cases where someone buys something, uses it for a week, and then sells it because they didn’t like the design.”

Tensions can also arise within families. “Sometimes the husband sells items without the wife knowing, or vice versa,” Omer said. Vendors, when aware of such situations, often try to avoid completing the sale to prevent disputes.