Vandalism at Historic Bahiri Cave in Zakho

[Anthea]

Kurdistan to Launch Tourism Police

Kurdistan government (KRG) has unveiled plans to establish a dedicated Tourism Police force, following outrage over acts of vandalism that defaced the historic Bahiri Cave in Zakho. Local authorities also pledged to take legal action against anyone caught damaging tourist sites

The cave, a natural landmark celebrated for its cultural and historical significance, was recently spray-painted with graffiti by visiting tourists. The damage has triggered widespread condemnation from officials, residents, and visitors, who described the acts as “uncivilized” and harmful to the region’s heritage.

Tourists themselves voiced frustration. Abdullah Ghassan, visiting from central Iraq, said: “Bahiri Cave is one of the most beautiful places in Zakho. The writings on the cave walls are very ugly and uncivilized. We call on the companies that bring tourists to Kurdistan to put a stop to this uncivilized act.”

Ala Ahmed, another visitor, stressed the importance of respect: “These places represent the culture and history of the region; they must be preserved beautifully and cleanly.” Similarly, Manal Salman argued that offenders should not tarnish the reputation of all tourists, adding: “The writings on the walls of Bahiri Cave are very uncivilized. The person who writes on the wall of a historical and tourist site only represents themselves, not all tourists.”

Local authorities in Zakho have already moved to toughen enforcement. “We will file a legal complaint against any tourist who writes on the walls of tourist sites, and legal measures will be taken against them,” warned Bewar Sindi, Media Director at the Zakho Tourism Directorate. He acknowledged the difficulty of identifying culprits in crowded tourist sites but vowed continued action, according to Kurdistan 24.

The vandalism is not limited to Bahiri Cave; officials confirmed similar graffiti on retaining walls in Zakho. In response, a cleanup campaign is underway, with tourism businesses pledging to cooperate. Hassan Muhsin, who operates a local tourist spot, said: “If any other incident is repeated by any tourist, we will file a complaint against that tourist.”

At the regional level, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has ordered the creation of a Tourism Police unit to safeguard Kurdistan’s 3,000 tourist sites. Spokesperson Ibrahim Abdulmajid of the General Board of Tourism explained that 165 officers will be recruited in the first phase.

“It is a condition that those who become tourism police are graduates of tourism departments, so they can interact properly with tourists and have expertise in the tourism sector,” he told the report.

Abdulmajid added that similar forces operate in many developed countries and argued that Kurdistan’s move will help align its tourism sector with international standards. “I believe the establishment of this police force will have a positive impact on tourist sites and on maintaining their tranquility.”

The initiative comes as the KRG seeks to expand tourism under its “Visit Kurdistan” strategy, which aims to attract 20 million visitors by 2030. Tourism has become a cornerstone of economic diversification in the region, drawing millions annually, particularly from central and southern Iraq.

Officials say protecting natural and historical landmarks — from the Erbil Citadel and Lalish Temple to Zakho’s caves and resorts — is key to sustaining growth. The graffiti at Bahiri Cave, they stress, has served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of these attractions and the urgent need for protection.

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https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/892424