A shooting in the early hours of Sunday morning in Ranya town, Sulaimani province, has left one person dead and three others injured, according to local police. The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. and involved a clash between two students and two merchants.

The Ranya police reported that a 20-year-old merchant died from his injuries, while three others, aged 15, 17, and 20, were wounded. Due to the severity of their injuries, the wounded victims were transferred from Ranya’s general hospital to Sulaimani for further treatment.

Authorities have arrested the suspects involved in the shooting, though the cause of the incident remains unclear.

The Kurdistan Region has long struggled with a pervasive firearms black market, where weapons such as sniper rifles and machine guns are easily accessible. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the population in the region owns weapons. Despite efforts by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to regulate firearms and reduce violent incidents, shootings continue to pose a significant challenge.

Last year, the KRG’s deadline for gun owners to register their weapons expired. In 2022, the Kurdistan Region passed Article 15 of its Weapons Law, which imposes strict penalties for unlicensed possession, sale, or distribution of firearms. Violators face one to three years in prison and fines ranging from two million to five million dinars (approximately 1,500to1,500to3,800).

The KRG has been working to curb gun-related violence, but the latest incident underscores the ongoing challenges in enforcing firearm regulations and addressing the region’s deeply entrenched gun culture.

Further details about the shooting, including the motives and identities of those involved, are expected to be released as the investigation continues.