Varied responses among locals
Residents in Erbil react to Chamber of Commerce’s call for boycott of Iranian goods
ERBIL, January 22 — In the aftermath of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce’s appeal for a boycott of Iranian goods following a recent missile attack on Erbil, 964media conducted interviews in the Qaysariyah and Sheikh Allah markets to gauge public opinion.
Responses varied, ranging from strong support for a boycott to concerns about its impact on the less fortunate. Some individuals suggested extending the boycott to Turkish goods due to recurrent airstrikes.
One vendor highlighted the dominance of Iranian goods in markets across the Kurdistan Region and the rest of Iraq, expressing concerns about potential price increases if the boycott were to take place.
An Erbil resident stated, “If Iran is sincere, let it engage in conflicts in Gaza instead of killing innocent people in Erbil. We support the call for boycotting Iranian goods, and we would rather face hunger than contribute to their financial gains.”
Expressing concerns about potential consequences, another seller remarked, “Boycotting Iranian goods may lead to higher prices for other commodities. While we, as citizens, will bear the brunt of increased costs, we do not want Iran or Turkey to benefit politically or financially.”
Another resident emphasized that boycotting Iranian goods could disproportionately affect citizens and the economically disadvantaged, suggesting a need to sever political ties rather than punish the population. They pointed out that both Iran and Turkey have been involved in attacks on Iraq.
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