Protests erupt in Sulaymaniyah against ban on unregistered vehicles

SULAYMANIYAH – Protesters gathered in front of the Sulaymaniyah Governorate building on Monday to voice anger over a recent decision to ban unregistered vehicles. Demonstrators blocked the main Sulaymaniyah-Kirkuk road, leading to a tense standoff with security forces and eventual clashes.

Authorities say they attempted to negotiate with the protesters, urging them to clear the road voluntarily. Security forces to deployed tear gas and fire warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd when they refused. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, with protesters throwing stones and confronting police.

One protester told 964media: “We demand the governor intervene directly and resolve this issue before it escalates further.”

Another vehicle owner expressed frustration, saying: “We bought these cars here legally; they were not smuggled. Why are they now restricting us from using them?”

In a heated exchange, another protester declared: “If security forces try to confiscate my car, I’ll burn it before I let them take it away.”

Unregistered vehicles, have become a widespread issue in the Kurdistan Region, with estimates suggesting around 70,000 such vehicles are concentrated in Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, Garmiyan, and Raparin.

These cars are often smuggled into the region or imported as scrap vehicles, before being repaired and sold without proper registration. They frequently bypass official inspections, raising concerns about safety and roadworthiness.

The Supreme Security Committee of Sulaymaniyah announced on Dec. 2, 2024, a citywide ban on unregistered vehicles, stating: “No unregistered vehicle is allowed to operate within Sulaymaniyah city limits.”

While the government insists the ban is necessary for safety and regulatory compliance, vehicle owners argue they purchased these cars legally and in good faith.

The committee emphasized: “There will be no changes or reversals in the decision to ban unregistered vehicles. Our goal is to restore legal order, ensure public safety, and uphold the rule of law on the streets.”

The Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government previously commented on these risks, stating: “These vehicles are unsafe and pose significant risks. If they’re involved in accidents, the consequences can be catastrophic.”

Earlier reports suggested that, starting in early 2025, unregistered vehicles could be legalized for a fee of 1.5 million Iraqi dinars (approximately $1,000), but the Supreme Security Committee dismissed these claims as “false and baseless.”

While authorities emphasize the importance of enforcing the ban, demonstrators claim that the government has failed to deliver on promises made during election campaigns to address the issue.

“Why did they promise to fix this during the elections if they had no intention of following through?”

One protester pointed to the candidates’ earlier promise to address the registration issue, questioning the lack of action on their commitment.

The authorities in Erbil and Duhok had previously banned unregistered vehicles from entering their territories. On Nov. 24, 2024, the Erbil Traffic Directorate officially prohibited the movement of these vehicles on city streets, stating: “Any driver violating this order will have their vehicle confiscated immediately.”

Under KRG regulations, vehicles older than two years are not allowed into the region. In September 2024, Director General of Trade Nawzad Sheikh Kamil announced a ban on importing 2022 model cars starting December 1, 2024, while imports of 2023 and 2024 models would continue without restrictions.

In 2024, the Kurdistan Region imported 171,952 vehicles, marking a significant rise from the 122,000 vehicles imported in 2023 and highlighting a substantial year-over-year growth in vehicle imports.