Bloody clashes erupt between football fans in Sulaimani
President Barzani welcomes new UK ambassador to Iraq, discusses bilateral ties
Kurdistan Region leaders commemorate Kurdish Journalism Day
DEM Party urges Kurdish support for Turkey-PKK peace process
Soran police arrest couple on suspicion of invalid marriage
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Several people were injured after clashes broke out between fans of Sulaimani's Newroz Sports Club and Zakho Sports Club from Duhok, following a match held at Newroz's home stadium in Sulaimani, in the east of the Kurdistan Region, on Tuesday.
The two teams were facing off as part of the Iraq Stars League, and with the match nearing its final moments and still goalless, tensions escalated. Fans stormed the pitch, leading to violent confrontations among supporters and even with some players.
Footage obtained by Rudaw showed plastic seats being thrown from the stands, and at least one fan appearing to suffer a serious head injury that left him unconscious. Two other bloodied fans were also seen being rushed off the field by medics, who transferred the injured to nearby hospitals.
While the exact cause of the clashes remains unclear, an injured Zakho SC fan told Rudaw that his eight-month-old daughter went missing during the chaos, but was found shortly afterward.
He claimed the violence erupted after the referee awarded a penalty against one of the players. 'My daughter is eight months old, she went missing in the crowd. My leg is injured, and my whole body is in pain,' he said.
Another fan told Rudaw that the clashes erupted after Zakho scored a goal that was believed to be offside.
'The root of the problem was that Zakho SC scored a goal that was offside, and the referee raised his flag. After that, Zakho fans began throwing bottles at the linesman to express their frustration.'
In Matchweek 29 of the league, Newroz SC had aimed to break its streak of two consecutive draws and bring joy to its team and fans, especially given the dissatisfaction of the coaching staff.
For its part, Zakho SC, having lost its last two matches, entered Tuesday's game under pressure. Frustrated and angry fans were hoping for a much-improved performance from their team after the disappointing results of the previous two matches.
This is a developing story.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rudaw Net
8 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Two 'dangerous terrorists' arrested in Sulaimani
Also in Kurdistan Iran's surprise release of water into Kurdistan Region shocks locals KRG opens child protection center in Halabja province: Official Kurdistan Region rolls out projects to fight chronic water shortages Sulaimani villagers suffer from severe water shortage A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi and Kurdish forces on Monday announced the arrest of two "dangerous terrorists" in Sulaimani province during a joint operation. Sulaimani-based Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG) and the Directorate General of Intelligence and Security (DGIS), which is affiliated with the federal defence ministry, carried out the joint operation, according to separate statements from both forces. "Arrest warrants had been issued against them according to the provisions of Article (4) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. Legal procedures were taken against them, and they were referred to the competent investigative authorities," the DGIS said. The identities and nationalities of the suspects were not revealed, and it remains unclear which group they are affiliated with. Sulaimani-based security forces and Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS) said late last month that they killed three "terrorists,' including a senior commander, during a joint operation in Kirkuk province. Federal and Kurdish security forces, especially those based in Sulaimani, often carry out joint operations against terrorists. They have recently increased joint efforts to close security gaps between their territories, which have been exploited by extremist groups, including Islamic State (ISIS) militants.
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Rudaw Net
Iraq arrests 40 over alleged baathist plots, sectarian incitement
Also in Iraq Iraq cannot control militias attacking Kurdistan Region, says MP Iraq records 16 new cases of Crimean-Congo fever Iraqi parliament to convene on Kurdistan Region drone attacks PM Barzani says Baghdad added new condition to finance agreement A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Forty people suspected of spreading Ba'athist ideologies of former dictator Saddam Hussein's regime and planning sabotage attacks have been arrested, Iraqi security forces announced on Sunday. 'Security detachments carried out qualitative operations that resulted in the arrest of 40 suspects involved in managing and financing sectarian content and seeking to carry out sabotage operations,' the Iraqi National Security Agency (INSS) said in a statement. The law criminalizing the promotion of the Baath Party in Iraq was activated on July 30, 2016. It criminalized membership in, and promotion of, the dissolved Ba'ath party in Iraq, as well as any similar groups or ideologies 'These misguided elements resorted to false rhetoric that promoted the banned Ba'athist regime as a cover for marketing their dead dreams and inciting against the state,' the security agency added. A clandestine cyber group called 'Brigade 66' which is managed from outside the country and spreads Ba'athist ideologies was also monitored. 'Some of them [the suspects] confessed to receiving guidance and support from fugitive elements outside the country,' the INSS said. The Arab Socialist Baath Party ruled Iraq from 1968 until it was toppled in 2003 by a United States-led invasion that removed its leader, Hussein. The party has since been banned under Article 7 of the Iraqi constitution, which outlaws adopting, glorifying, or promoting the symbols and propaganda of the former regime. Hussein's oppressive regime was responsible for numerous crimes against humanity, including the Anfal genocide against the Kurds. The campaign reached its deadliest point in 1988 with the Halabja chemical attack, which killed around 5,000 people and injured 10,000 more. The dictator was executed in 2006 after being sentenced to death in a separate case for the killing of 148 Shiites. His trial on charges related to the Anfal genocide was still ongoing at the time of his execution.
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Rudaw Net
Iraq cannot control militias attacking Kurdistan Region, says MP
Also in Iraq Iraq records 16 new cases of Crimean-Congo fever Iraqi parliament to convene on Kurdistan Region drone attacks Iraq arrests 40 over alleged baathist plots, sectarian incitement PM Barzani says Baghdad added new condition to finance agreement A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Kurdish lawmaker in the Iraqi parliament on Monday said the Iraqi government lacks control over armed groups behind recent drone attacks on the Kurdistan Region, accusing 'external agendas' of fueling tensions between Erbil and Baghdad. Dozens of drone strikes have targeted the Kurdistan Region since the beginning of July, mainly hitting oil fields and causing significant financial losses. Kurdish officials have blamed the attacks on 'criminal militias' affiliated with the Iraqi government. 'We see that very often Iraq and the Kurdistan Region become victims of those militias that are outside authority. I can say that the Iraqi government cannot control those armed groups,' Srwa Mohammed, a Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) lawmaker in the Iraqi parliament, told Rudaw. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has blamed Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) for the drone attacks, a charge Baghdad has denied. 'Despite having general authority, and the prime minister being the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, there are still militias that operate outside the law and do not follow official authority,' Mohammed added. The Iraqi parliament is convening on Monday in an extraordinary session to discuss the drone strikes, which have targeted key oil infrastructure. Although a parliamentary committee was formed to investigate the attacks, Mohammed said 'no report has reached parliament so far' and that the legislature's session is only for discussion with no decisions expected. She described the drone strikes as a form of 'pressure on the Kurdistan Region,' adding that 'whenever problems and disputes arise between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, undoubtedly pressure is imposed on the Kurdistan Region.' Mohammed attributed the tensions to 'political and external agendas' that she said are preventing a resolution between the two sides. In March, the US rescinded waivers allowing Iraq to import energy from Iran. The Kurdistan Region subsequently signed multibillion-dollar energy deals with American companies in May to develop its oil and gas fields - contracts that Baghdad rejected as unconstitutional and challenged in court. However, Iraq's Supreme Court on Monday ruled in favor of the KRG, upholding the contracts. On Tuesday, Iraq's state-run North Oil Company signed an initial agreement with US-based HKN Energy for the development of the Hamrin oil field in Basra province, just hours after a drone strike targeted one of HKN's oil fields in the Kurdistan Region. On Monday, Iraq's Council of Ministers approved a new deal to resume salary payments and restart Kurdish oil exports. Under the agreement, the KRG must export all of its oil through Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), keeping 50,000 barrels per day for local consumption and delivering 230,000 barrels daily to Baghdad. In exchange, Baghdad is expected to make budget transfers and supply refined fuel if needed. The KRG is also required to submit 120 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $92 million) in non-oil revenues each month. Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, said Wednesday that the drone attacks by 'criminal militias on the Iraqi government payroll' have caused the loss of nearly 200,000 barrels in production.
