Dozens protest in Mosul over two-decade construction ban on their land

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Dozens of residents gathered in central Mosul to protest a more than 20-year ban preventing them from building on land near the city, holding up official title deeds and saying the plots are designated as legal residential areas rather than farmland or archaeological sites. The demonstrators said the property documents are officially registered with the Hamdaniya Land Registry and that the land was allocated by the state more than two decades ago. Protesters singled out the Kiz Fehra and Jilakhan areas, located less than 10 kilometers from the city center, as well as the Ilaj Factory area, roughly 15 kilometers away, where construction has been allowed. They accused unnamed influential groups with no ties to official authorities of pressuring residents in the area and demanding money, and called for an investigation into the obstruction. The demonstrators said local authorities should be held fully responsible for the restrictions and urged officials to safeguard their legal rights and allow residential construction on the land. No immediate response from local authorities was reported.