A Social War Takes Control of the Government in Girdasen

On April 6, 2025, violent clashes erupted between two families of the Harki tribe in the town of Girdasen, part of the Akre district. The conflict, which raged for several hours, resulted in the injury of two police officers and reportedly claimed the life of a woman due to indirect fire, according to the town’s administrative director.

The director confirmed that both families had ongoing legal disputes, with multiple cases filed against each other in court. However, the failure of the judicial system to resolve the matter led the conflict to escalate into armed confrontation. “Despite the presence of security forces and police, they could not stop the violence. We are now awaiting the arrival of military units equipped with bulletproof vehicles to bring the situation under control,” he said.

According to reporting by Kurdfile Media, the incident highlights a broader failure of governance in the Kurdistan Region. The judiciary’s inability to enforce court decisions, coupled with a lack of control over the widespread possession of weapons among civilians, has severely undermined the rule of law.

“In the face of even minor political or social disputes, citizens are able to overpower the state’s institutions, reducing the government’s response to little more than desperate calls for ceasefire broadcasts on local television,” Kurdfile noted.

The Girdasen incident exemplifies how tribal dynamics and unresolved social tensions are rapidly eroding governmental authority, raising serious concerns about the state’s capacity to maintain peace and enforce justice.