At least one person was killed and several others injured late Tuesday in violent clashes between security forces aligned with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and members of the Herki tribe in the Khabat district of Erbil province, according to local sources.

Some reports indicate that a second individual may also have died, though this has not been officially confirmed.

The confrontation broke out following a raid by KDP security forces on the residence of Khurshid Herki, a prominent figure in the Herki tribe. The operation quickly escalated into a deadly standoff, with videos circulating on local media showing several KDP vehicles—including military Hummers—engulfed in flames or heavily damaged by gunfire and stones.

NRT TV reported that one of the deceased was a KDP member from Kifri. While some sources suggested a Herki tribesman was also killed, conflicting accounts have prevented confirmation of a second fatality.

Haider Herki, the brother of Khurshid, attributed the violence to a land dispute involving the rival Goran tribe. He claimed the contested property had been legally returned to the Herki tribe but that Goran tribe members had refused to vacate. According to Haider, the KDP dispatched a disproportionately large force to the scene, treating the matter as if it were a counter-terrorism operation. “We will not allow Khurshid to be arrested unless the same action is taken against the Goran leader,” he stated.

Speaking after the incident, Khurshid Herki harshly criticized the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), accusing it of lacking both control and legitimacy. He pointed to deteriorating conditions in areas such as Makhmour, Gwer, and Badinan, asserting, “We do not recognize this authority.”

The violent encounter underscores the deepening tensions in Iraqi Kurdistan, where tribal rivalries, land disputes, and political affiliations continue to fuel unrest. Analysts warn that if longstanding grievances remain unaddressed, further violence between local tribes and politically affiliated security forces is likely.

Local leaders and civil society figures have called for an immediate de-escalation and a transparent investigation into the incident to prevent further bloodshed in the already volatile region. (ILKHA)