Demonstrations in northern Iraq to protest Iran's cross border shelling

Erbil - Demonstrators in the bordering towns of northern Iraq - Kurdistan Region - took to the street on Sunday to protest a continued bombardment of the Iraqi territories by the neighboring Iran that has so far killed three poeple and left some five other injured.

The demonstrations took place in Haji Omaran area, and Raniya city, both north east of Iraqi capital Baghdad, bordering Iran.

Iran has been continuously bombarding the border territories of Kurdistan Region for over two weeks now after a fght broke out between Iranian forces and an Irannian Kurdish dissident group on the border terrritories. there were reports of casulties on both sides.

The demonstrators condemned Iran's contniued shelling on Kurdish villages in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. They also condemned Kurditann Regional Govenrment (KRG) for not having a firm attitude towards the bombardments.

Iran has been bombarding the border territories of Kurdistan Region for years, ostencibily aiming at dislodging Kurdish armed group - PJAK - who ar hiding in the mountainous areas on the border between Iran and Kurdistan Region.

Iranian officials reject firing shells into the Iraqi territories, howver, Iraqi officials have confirmed the shelling has displaced hundreds of families in the bordering areas with casualties as well.

KRG officials publiclly reject claims that Iran is bombarding Kurdistan Region's territories. But military source on the borders confirm the attacks. There have also been reports of Iranian forces pushing onekilometer deep into the Iraqi territories.

PJAK - Party of a Free Life for Kurdistan - is a Kurdish armd goupr that has been fighting for the freedom of the nearly 10 million ethnic Kurds in Iran.

Raber Y Aziz