ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Protesting farmers in Baghdad were met with “beatings and hot water” on Sunday as security forces attempted to disperse their gathering, demanding compensation for the year’s wheat harvest, a lawmaker said, as top Iraqi officials reaffirmed support for their demands.

Hundreds of farmers gathered near the Green Zone in Baghdad on Sunday morning demanding compensation for their harvest of wheat for the current year. The demonstrations reportedly took a violent turn however as security forces moved in to break the assembly with water cannons.

Lawmaker Ibtisam al-Hilali said forces used “beatings and hot water” to break up the protest, adding that an Arab sheikh’s traditional headpiece was knocked off during the incident.

She said she filed a formal complaint to parliament leadership and the security and defense committee, supported by video evidence.

Hilali called for the issue to be added to Monday’s parliamentary session, urging accountability for “those responsible and those who gave the orders.”

The State Forces Alliance condemned the incident, calling for a “transparent investigation” and stressing the need to protect peaceful protesters.

“The alliance stands with farmers and calls for addressing the causes of the crisis in a way that ensures justice and preserves the dignity of Iraqi citizens,” it said.

Farmers have been demanding payment of dues and a revision of wheat pricing, including raising the purchase price to 850,000 dinars per ton, alongside broader support for the agricultural sector.

Outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani said he had followed the farmers’ demands and the events surrounding the protest, directing authorities to receive all requests submitted by farmers and investigate the conduct of security forces.

Sudani emphasized the “central role of farmers in Iraq’s economy and said the government remains committed to supporting them and responding to their demands,” while calling for maintaining orderly and lawful engagement between protesters and security personnel.

On Sunday evening, Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi noted that the legislature had previously issued a resolution, issuing a recommendation to the cabinet to address the farmers’ concerns and meet their legitimate needs.

He called on the government to take the necessary measures to resolve the issue “in a way that achieves justice and preserves the rights of farmers and agricultural workers.”

Iraqi President Nizar Amedi urged authorities to respond to farmers’ demands, particularly regarding their financial dues, in a way that ensures fairness and meets their legitimate needs, stressing that support for the agricultural sector remains a “national priority.”