Tribesmen threaten car showroom in Baghdad after new Iraqi regulation
“The Iraqi government’s recently issued decision … aroused the anger of [car] traders,” a source who asked to remain anonymous told Kurdistan 24.
He claimed that vehicle traders who expected to be negatively affected by the restriction had sought the intervention of the tribesmen, who ”held us responsible for the decision,” and appeared to believe that the retailer held some sway over the government's regulation-making process.
When employees responded by telling them that Baghdad’s move was in no way up to them and that the men should instead take their concerns to authorities, said the source, the men then threatened to cut off the street near the location to prevent any cars from reaching them.
He also claimed that Baghdad showrooms for other companies, including Range Rover, Toyota, and Kia, have recently complained of similar experiences.
A security source told Kurdistan 24 that local forces received calls from Hyundai employees seeking protection from ”tribal and mafia threats,” after which federal police and rescue police were immediately dispatched and began to erect nearby checkpoints.
Many Iraqi merchants import both new and used cars that they sell at reduced prices. According to the Hyundai employee, ”These cars have caused disasters because they are not as reliable.” Other car companies have also characterized the new regulation as a ”positive step” in preventing the importation of unsafe vehicles.
The role of tribes in Iraq has grown or otherwise changed in many areas since the fall of the former regime in 2003, with security forces or the judiciary often unable or unwilling to effectively intervene in disputes involving tribal figures or about issues regarded as ”family” or ”tribal” matters.
Editing by John J. Catherine
