Social media has been rife with videos and posts alleging a wave of attacks in Erbil, supposedly carried out by Kurdish youths targeting Syrian-owned or operated restaurants and businesses. These claims, rapidly circulating online, suggested widespread unrest and escalating tensions.
The posts included footage depicting altercations in front of a restaurant, accompanied by assertions of a general mobilization against Syrians in Erbil and northern Iraq. They accused youth groups of vandalizing Syrian establishments and forcibly removing Syrian workers from the region, fueled by purported public anger and widespread escalation.
However, a digital investigation has revealed that the circulated videos are being presented out of context. Specifically, the footage actually depicts an incident involving damage to the ‘Rabee Al-Sham’ restaurant in Dortmund, Germany. This incident occurred during protests in Germany and has been falsely attributed to Erbil.
DZWatch‘s investigation further revealed that many of the accounts promoting these claims are based outside of Iraq. This raises strong suspicions of a coordinated effort to amplify an unverified narrative and create a false impression of Kurdish-Syrian tensions in Erbil.
It is crucial to verify information before sharing it online, especially when it involves claims of ethnic or social unrest. Misinformation can have serious consequences, potentially inciting further conflict and damaging community relations. DZWatch remains committed to providing accurate and verified news to our readers.
DZWatch will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
