November 11, 2026; Over recent days, actions have been carried out by profiteers aimed at destroying and deforesting the ecosystem and oak woodlands of the historic and iconic "Soleiman Beg" region of Baneh. These actions have been conducted with the goal of seizing land, subdividing plots, and converting the area into saleable real estate and construction property—a region that constitutes an ecosystem of ancient oak trees and houses ancient graveyards of Baneh. These activities have drawn widespread protests from citizens, particularly environmental activists in Baneh. In this regard, the "Pazin" Environmental Association has initiated legal proceedings, while the "Ifta Council of Baneh County" issued a religious ruling declaring these actions religiously haram [forbidden] and ghasb [unlawful usurpation], demanding accountability from relevant state institutions.

According to Kurdpa's informed source, in recent weeks, portions of the natural habitat in the Soleiman Beg area—an iconic location in Baneh and home to one of the city's ancient graveyards—have been subdivided. Individuals, intent on converting the land into commercial lots for sale and construction, have proceeded to cut down trees and destroy the ecosystem, including ancient oak trees. This is occurring despite the presence of historic graveyards in the area.

Citizens have protested against these measures, but relevant state institutions have failed to provide any response to date. The source further noted that "the individuals engaged in destroying this area enjoy government backing; otherwise, they would not be able to destroy the region's ecosystem and convert it into saleable real estate." According to the source, relevant state agencies have shown no attention to the matter and have taken no effective investigative action. Images obtained by Kurdpa demonstrate the cutting and destruction of ancient trees within this habitat.

In a report regarding the threat of destruction and land seizure of the "Soleiman Beg" ecosystem and particularly its historical cemetery, Baneh's "Pazin" Environmental Association stated that the Soleiman Beg cemetery is one of the symbols of the city of Baneh, where generations of families have buried their loved ones. The cultural significance of the area is commemorated in Kurdish poetry and folk songs, most notably the well-known song "Yellow and Red Flowers of Soleiman Beg, Baneh."

According to the association's report, on Saturday, October 1, 2026, individuals attempting a land grab destroyed the ecosystem and ancient oak trees of the region, uprooting ancient oak trees, excavating the soil, and partitioning the land into plots. These individuals attempted to justify their actions under charitable pretexts. After local residents notified members of the Pazin Association of the destruction, association members went to the site, where they were met with profanity and threats from the aforementioned individuals.

Following these events, civil activists in Baneh voiced their protests, and the Pazin Association demanded a legal investigation into the matter. The association emphasized that forests and graveyards constitute public property belonging to all citizens and future generations.

Furthermore, the "Ifta Council of Baneh County" issued a official statement regarding the encroachment and construction on the historic Soleiman Beg cemetery, declaring that based on the testimonies of community elders, the area has historically served as an ancient Muslim cemetery. Citing the testimonies of senior residents and prophetic traditions (Hadith), the council ruled any land grabbing, purchase, sale, division of plots, or construction within the boundaries of this land to be religiously haram and ghasb. Reaffirming the necessity of legally verifying the authenticity of any documents claimed by the encroachers, the Ifta Council urged young citizens to refrain from violence or unauthorized actions, while calling on competent authorities to prevent the violation of public rights and the desecration of graves.

Subsequently, on Monday, November 9, 2026, the Pazin Association announced that it had formally filed legal complaints accompanied by documentation and evidence, and is actively pursuing the case. However, according to Kurdpa's informed source, the association has yet to receive any response from relevant state authorities in Baneh.

Additional images published by the Pazin Association reveal excavated ground across the area and dislodged gravestones upturned from their original positions.

In response to the destruction of the trees, on Saturday, November 7, 2025, environmental enthusiasts and members of the "Pazin" Environmental Association gathered acorn seeds from the uprooted trees to replant them across Soleiman Beg and other areas. Through this action, participants declared that against those who destroy nature and ancient trees, they will plant oak seeds anew to restore the green landscape.

"Soleiman Beg" of Baneh:

●       The "Soleiman Beg" region of Baneh stands as a central symbol of cultural identity, environmental heritage, and collective memory for the city. Beyond housing the resting places of generations of deceased citizens and being immortalized in Kurdish folklore (such as the traditional melody "Yellow and Red Flowers of Soleiman Beg"), it serves as a vital habitat for Zagros' ancient oak trees—an intergenerational resource and the ecological lungs of the region. Consequently, the uprooting of these trees by profiteers, the subdivision of land, and the encroachment upon this historic location inflict severe damage on the city's living ecosystem while representing an overt usurpation of public property and desecration of the community's historical heritage.

From an international human rights perspective, the destruction of the ecosystem and seizure of the historical "Soleiman Beg" cemetery constitute a violation of the "right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment" (affirmed under UN General Assembly resolutions), an infringement upon the "cultural rights and heritage of local communities" (pursuant to Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), and the organized destruction of public intergenerational property. Furthermore, the silence and inaction of state institutions regarding these commercial land grabs, alongside their failure to respond to legal complaints from civil organizations, constitutes a breach of the "right to access justice and an effective remedy," underscoring the state's failure to fulfill its positive obligations to protect citizens against third-party human rights abuses.