Preparations begin for the annual Duhok marathon

More than 2,000 people have registered; the route starts downtown and ends at the gorge.

Officials said the move is part of a broader plan that began last year and will be rolled out in several phases.

The parties involved are expected to meet again next week to settle the remaining details.

According to available figures, the new numbers show a clear improvement compared with the same period last year.

Residents broadly welcomed the step, though some called for greater transparency.

Background

A local expert told our site: "The decision comes at the right time, but what matters most is monitoring how it is carried out."