Tribal gunfight: Water dispute turns deadly in Erbil

Shafaq News – Erbil

A tribal dispute over irrigation rights escalated into deadly clashes on Tuesday in Erbil’s Khabat district, where Kurdish security forces confronted armed members of the Herki tribe resisting arrest.

According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), tensions flared after the course of a tributary of the Great Zab River was altered, disrupting water access to local farmland and sparking a confrontation between Herki tribesmen and rival landowners.

Security forces deployed to Qarahanjir village to apprehend individuals accused of involvement in prior armed altercations. A local source told Shafaq News that Herki tribesmen resisted the arrests with stones and gunfire.

Supporters of tribal figure Khurshid Harki reportedly blocked roads with burning tires and opened fire, prompting security reinforcements to engage. The clashes left one Herki tribesman dead and at least five others wounded, including members of the Zeravani paramilitary forces.