KRG Interior Ministry says order restored in Gardarash after deadly clashes

ERBIL — Authorities in the Kurdistan Region said Thursday that order has been restored in Gardarash village, located in Erbil governorate’s Khabat district, following deadly clashes earlier this week between local security forces and armed members of the Herki tribe. The violence, rooted in a long-running land dispute, left two people dead and several others injured.

In a statement, the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Interior said the conflict stemmed from “a disagreement over agricultural land ownership,” and confirmed both casualties and property damage had occurred. “The situation has been brought under control and a formal investigation has begun,” the ministry said.

“With the efforts of the relevant governmental, political, and internal security parties, the conflict was quickly contained,” the statement added. “The area was stabilized with help from local residents, and legal measures are underway to hold those responsible accountable.”

The ministry urged residents to avoid inflammatory rhetoric or spreading unverified information. “We call on residents to remain committed to security directives and to help prevent any further tensions,” the statement said. “The peace and stability of the Kurdistan Region are paramount, and no individual or group will be allowed to disrupt it.”

The clashes began on the evening of July 8, when security forces entered the village to arrest Khurshid Herki, a prominent tribal leader, on charges of inciting disorder. Armed tribesmen resisted the operation, and gunfire broke out, continuing into the early hours of July 9.

Footage shared online showed two military Humvees set ablaze. The fatalities were identified as Falah Hassan, a Zeravani Peshmerga soldier affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party from Kifri, and Masoud Salih, a member of the Herki tribe. The number of injured individuals has not been officially confirmed.

The KDP—which governs Erbil and Duhok—dispatched a delegation to negotiate with tribal leaders. On Wednesday, a representative of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also visited Khurshid Herki and his group.

Following the meeting, Herki spoke to Rudaw TV, confirming a resolution had been reached. “Thanks to the role of the President of the Kurdistan Region, the conflict in Khabat has ended,” he said. “A committee has been formed to investigate the clashes, and we will accept any decision made collectively.”

“We thank God, the president of the region, and the prime minister for acting quickly. The issue has been resolved,” he added.