دەربارەی پێنجوێن

Penjwen is a border city located in the northeast of Sulaimani province in northern Iraq, approximately 80 kilometers from the provincial center. This accounts for about 10% of the province's area, and it is situated 428 kilometers northeast of the capital, Baghdad.

The city's history dates back to the early sixteenth century, making it over 400 years old. Penjwen holds a longstanding reputation within the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. Initially, it was a large village equipped with all the necessities of life. However, following the reconstruction of the area and the formation of the Iraqi state in 1921, Penjwen was designated as a district within the administrative unit of Halabja district.

As the city expanded, it became a significant commercial hub between Iraq and Iran. Consequently, the change in Iraq's governance in 1958 from a monarchy to a republic led to further administrative adjustments. By 1959, Penjwen was officially established as a district under the broader administrative unit of Sulaimani. Penjwen has about 150 kilometers of border with the Islamic Republic of Iran, enhancing the region's importance and facilitating extensive trade activities. Annually, trade worth more than $10 billion is conducted in the region, with five districts, including the Bashmakh International Gate and the Sairanban Gate, playing crucial roles.

Furthermore, Penjwen district is abundant in natural resources and minerals, including iron, copper, chromium, manganese, coal, gold, and uranium. The region is also rich in agriculture and, during the summer, becomes a significant food supplier of vegetables not only for the Kurdistan Region but for all of Iraq.

However, between 1914 and 1918, the district faced a severe earthquake on August 8, 1946, causing significant displacement. Additionally, the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s led to the complete destruction of the city and the displacement of its inhabitants to other areas. After the liberation of northern Iraq and the establishment of the Kurdistan government and parliament, the residents of Penjwen and surrounding areas returned, taking up the task of rebuilding their towns and villages.

Currently, Penjwen district comprises three sub-districts (Nawnd, Garmak, and Nal Pariz), encompassing more than 150 villages and a population of 50,000 people. However, the area remains significantly impacted by the remnants of the Iraq-Iran war, with numerous landmines and explosives still posing a considerable threat to residents