An Italian delegation, called 'The Road to Kurdistan', has been carrying out medical and educational aid efforts for refugees. As part of their ongoing work, the delegation attempted to visit the Martyr Rustem Cudi Refugee Camp in Maxmur on Sunday.

Despite operating through official channels, the delegation was stopped at the checkpoint where residents of Maxmur had been protesting for four days against the embargo and the arrest of members of the Maxmur People’s Assembly. Their entry into the camp was blocked.

Since 10 April, the Iraqi government has imposed a severe embargo on the Maxmur Refugee Camp. The entry of construction materials into the camp has been blocked, and workers are not allowed to travel to other cities for employment, and the renewal of residents’ identification documents has been denied.

A delegation from the Maxmur People’s Assembly traveled to Baghdad to meet with the Ministry of Justice in an effort to resolve the issue. However, upon their return from Baghdad, the delegation was detained by the Iraqi army and remained in custody, despite earlier assurances that they would be released.