Injured security forces protest in Diyala over delays in receiving promised land plots

DIYALA — Dozens of injured members of the security forces protested on Tuesday in front of the local government building in Baqubah district, expressing frustration over delays in receiving promised housing plots. The demonstrators, many of whom have been waiting for years, voiced concerns about living in rented homes and accused officials of withholding their entitlements.

Yasser Khalil, one of the protesters, told 964media, “We are being extorted by influential individuals who want to sell our paperwork for 5 million dinars ($3,321), and we’ve been demanding land for years without any success.” He questioned why their rights were withheld, unlike their counterparts in other provinces.

Another protester, Mohammad Ali, pointed out that land plots and documentation were available, but expressed disbelief at how soldiers who had “sacrificed for the country” were being treated. “Those who have served should be honored, not left begging for their entitlements,” he added.

Ali directed a clear message to Governor Adnan Al-Shammari: “The land is available in the municipality, only awaiting his signature on the document.”

Khalil Ibrahim, another protester, noted that their names had been removed from previous documents without explanation. He mentioned that former Governor Muthanna Al-Tamimi had informed them of an alternative document, but governmental decisions have since halted land distribution.

The municipality has informed the governor of the availability of 814 land plots in the Al-Sheikh River area, pending the governor’s signature to allocate them to the injured soldiers.