Walls blocking Baghdad homes erected overnight as investor claims longtime green space

BAGHDAD — Residents of the Yarmouk district say they woke up to a startling sight: brick walls erected in front of their doors and windows, emblazoned with the phrase “Demolition Prohibited.” The barriers stand on land the neighborhood has long viewed as a public park, but an investor claiming ownership plans to develop residential units — and is urging homeowners to sell before construction begins.

Locals insist the property belongs to the Baghdad Municipality and is designated for community use. Many say their families have lived there for generations, enjoying open green space that is now walled off. The investor, however, contends he legally purchased the plot and warns that neighboring homes “will have no value” once building starts.

Reem, whose home borders the disputed area, told 964media, “We have lived here since the 1960s. This land has always been a park for the community, a green space for people to enjoy.” She added that after 2003, various groups began visiting the site, but official involvement was minimal until recently. “Recently, a group came with government officials and claimed the land was private property,” she said.

Reem said she and her neighbors appealed to the Baghdad Municipality. “They told us the land was restricted, that no construction should be allowed because it contains essential services like water, sewage, and electricity,” she said. Despite that, she said powerful groups arrived soon after and built walls around her home. “I pleaded with everyone because my house has no other entrance, but they gave me just 10 days to find another solution.”

“They tell us to sell our homes, saying they will become worthless because they will be next to new housing units,” she added.

Abu Abdulrahman, another resident, called on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani to intervene. “We are being wronged, and we ask the prime minister to restore justice and save us from this injustice,” he said.

He claimed the Baghdad Municipality has owned the land for 60 years. “A man suddenly shows up claiming he bought the land, presents a court ruling, and brings police officers to shut our doors and windows, calling us trespassers,” he said, adding that the investor offered to buy their homes at a low price and cut off their water supply. “They forced us to use hoses, taking us back to 1971,” he said. “We also call on the religious authorities to intervene because they stand for justice and do not accept wrongdoing.”

Baghdad Municipality spokesperson Uday Al-Jandil denied the residents’ allegations, saying “misleading information” was circulating.

“This plot of land is privately owned, and the Mansour municipal office received a request to build new houses on it,” Al-Jandil told 964media, explaining that the matter went to court. “The judiciary reviewed the case and issued a binding ruling affirming the investor’s right to build, as it is private property. The construction is not illegal, nor does it violate any regulations enforced by the Baghdad Municipality.”

He also accused residents of making unauthorized changes. “The people appearing in the videos and filing complaints were the ones who made unauthorized openings and encroached on private property,” he said.