Sulaymaniyah police arrest five for illegal logging in Penjwen

SULAYMANIYAH — Environmental and forestry police in Sulaymaniyah governorate arrested five individuals in the Penjwen district for illegally transporting cut-down trees, authorities said. Four vehicles loaded with the harvested wood were also confiscated.

In a statement, the Sulaymaniyah Forest and Environment Police said, “In coordination with the Sulaymaniyah governorate’s forestry and environmental police and the Penjwen security forces, five individuals were arrested in Penjwen for carrying large quantities of illegally cut wood. Four vehicles used to transport the wood were also confiscated.”

All detainees have been handed over to the Penjwen Forestry Police for further investigation.

“We always work together to confront violators and protect the nature and environment of Kurdistan,” the force added, expressing gratitude for the cooperation of the security forces.

In a separate incident the previous day, Aghjalar police arrested two individuals caught illegally cutting down trees. The trees were returned to the environment, and the suspects were detained along with their vehicle.

Illegal logging remains a key driver of deforestation in the Kurdistan Region, where traders and individuals often ignore environmental regulations to produce charcoal or firewood. According to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Board of Environmental Protection and Improvement, offenders face a fine of 500,000 dinars (about $330). Failure to pay can result in up to three months in prison.

Nearly half of Kurdistan’s forests have been lost over the past 70 years due to factors including water scarcity, higher temperatures, reduced rainfall, forest fires, illegal logging, and military operations.