Street vendors in Samawah protest on Monday outside the governorate building after the removal of their stalls. (Photo: 964media)
Muthanna
Street vendors protest crackdown in Samawah, demand alternative locations
MUTHANNA — Dozens of street vendors gathered Monday outside the Muthanna governorate building to protest the municipality’s recent crackdown on unlicensed stalls in central Samawah. The vendors called for either a return to their previous locations or the provision of new spaces.
“We protested today to demand our return after the removal campaign. We are small-scale vendors who do not obstruct pedestrian or vehicle movement, while larger shop owners are the real encroachers on sidewalks and roads,” said vendor Ahmed Aja, speaking to 964media. “We call for either a suitable alternative location or the right to resume work where we were, instead of simply being evicted and losing our livelihoods.”
Samawah district administrator Uday Al-Araji told 964media that the campaign was aimed at regulating markets and easing congestion. “Last week, we organized a campaign to remove encroachments, regulate market and pedestrian movement, and eliminate informal structures and congestion,” he said, noting that the removal was conducted by the municipality.
Al-Araji confirmed that local authorities will hold a meeting in the coming days to identify alternative locations for the vendors.
