Baghdad, Iraq – In preparation for the Newroz festivities, officials in Akre, located in Duhok Governorate, have deployed 10 medical teams along with emergency vehicles to ensure the safety of attendees. Akre, often referred to as the “Newroz capital,” is bracing for the celebrations as the Kurdish New Year coincides with the spring equinox on March 21.
A spokesperson for Akre’s health department, Nechirvan Fakhraddin, confirmed that additional medical resources have been allocated for the events on Thursday. The heightened presence of medical teams comes in anticipation of large gatherings as the celebration kicks off on the evening of March 20, 2025, starting with the traditional fire-lighting ceremony at 6:45 p.m. This will be followed by various fire displays and festivities.
In addition to strengthening medical support, local authorities have increased firefighting readiness. Ibrahim Fariq, head of Akre’s civil defense, shared that the city has expanded its firefighting teams to 18, with a fleet of 14 fire trucks—seven large and seven small—on standby to address any emergencies.
Akre’s Newroz celebrations are also famous for a long-standing tradition dating back to the 1990s, where over 2,000 torches are carried up a hill to light a massive Kurdistan flag, embodying the spirit of the new year.
