A Kurdish shepherd in the border regions of the Kurdistan Region was killed by Iranian forces on Sunday, prompting his family to demand compensation for their confiscated animals.

The incident occurred in the Lolan highlands of the Sidakan border area, located within Erbil's Soran Independent Administration, when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) opened fire on Rebaz Sileman.

Family Rejects Border Allegations, Demands Return of Livestock 

Speaking to Channel8, the victim's brother stated that an IRGC border base claimed the shepherd had opened fire on them, which they used to justify the killing. 

However, he rejected the claims, stating that his brother was completely unarmed. 

He further emphasized that while Iranian forces claimed the shepherd and his animals had crossed the border, the family firmly denies any territorial violation.

The family is now demanding the immediate return of both their brother's body and their confiscated livestock.

Human Rights Commission Denounces Shooting as 'Blatant Aggression' 

The Independent Human Rights Commission in the Kurdistan Region denounced the “criminal act,” emphasizing that “this blatant aggression against the lives of civilians is a clear violation of territorial sovereignty and border integrity between the two nations.” 

The Commission stated that the shooting “completely contradicts” international conventions and core human rights principles prioritizing the protection of human life.

Furthermore, the Commission issued a set of core demands calling for a thorough international investigation into the crime, severe judicial penalties for those responsible, and comprehensive compensation for the grieving family.