Khanaqin residents close markets over Jalawla district decision

KHANAQIN — Residents and shopkeepers in Khanaqin district, Diyala, closed markets and stores on Wednesday in protest of a decision by Iraq’s Ministry of Planning to elevate Jalawla, also known as Gulala, to district status.

Protesters said the decision leaves Khanaqin as “the only district left alone.”

In addition to traders and shop owners, government offices in Khanaqin announced a general strike.

Earlier this week, Ministry of Planning upgraded the administrative status of Jalawla, formally designating it as a district and placing Saadiyah subdistrict under its administration.

Administratively, Jalawla had been a subdistrict belonging to Khanaqin district. The area is among those covered by Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, and its status between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region remains unresolved.

Khanaqin District Commissioner Jawad Fayzulla told 964media that they disagree with the decision.

“We have requested the Diyala Provincial Council and the Iraqi Ministry of Planning to suspend the decision to turn Jalawla into a district,” he said.