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DUHOK, Kurdistan Region — For gunsmiths in the Kurdistan Region’s city of Duhok, there is no business like the war business.
Their work thrived for years, during the battles against the Islamic State (ISIS) group. Now with less fighting, being a gunsmith is no longer profitable. An economic downturn in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq has added to their business slump.
They usually fix and modify all types of light, medium, and heavy weapons for the Kurdish military forces, known as Peshmerga, and other people.
Suleiman Kelini was working on the frontlines for the Kurdish Peshmerga forces when they fought ISIS.
He used to fix artilleries, katyusha launchers, mortars, and other heavy weapons in the field.
Nowadays, Suleiman has only a few customers and deals, working mainly on a small number of light guns such as pistols and Kalashnikovs.
"There is not much work here and generally there is no work anywhere because of the economic situation that has impacted everything," he says.
Rashid Kelini, Suleiman's father, is a specialist in Brno rifles. He also makes wooden frames for the Brno and sniper rifles.
Rashid says he had to reduce the prices of various products to keep on the business afloat.
Kurdish authorities are struggling to pay salaries due to outstanding problems with the central government in Baghdad and their own mismanagement of the region's funds.
Video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
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