Iraq
A picture taken on February 4, 2019, shows a general view of damaged buildings in Shingal. Photo: Zaid al-Obeidi/AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The US State Department on Tuesday called on Baghdad and Erbil to end the political deadlock and appoint a mayor in Shingal, ahead of the anniversary of the genocide of the Yazidis at the hands of the Islamic State (ISIS).
In response to Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated calls by the US embassy to Iraq for officials in the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to “immediately break the political deadlock by working with Sinjar [Shingal] communities and Yazidi leaders to appoint a mayor in Sinjar.”
ISIS overran the Yazidi heartland of Shingal in August 2014 and committed atrocities including genocide against the group, more than 6,000 Yazidis were abducted and around 2,700 remain missing with little done to bring solace to the rescued.
The security situation in Shingal remains dire, making it difficult and dangerous for many displaced Yazidis to return. Clashes take place between Iraqi army and the Shingal Resistance Units (YBS), an all-Yazidi militia affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The YBS has also been affiliated to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which also maintains a significant presence in Shingal.
The Sinjar agreement between Baghdad and Erbil includes the withdrawal of all PKK-affiliated forces from the city. Despite both the KRG and the Iraqi government calling on all armed groups to leave Sinjar on several occasions, the agreement has been rejected by the PKK and its proxies.
“The lack of implementation and the longstanding political deadlock on the agreement are not acceptable,” Miller added.
YBS has controlled parts of Sinjar since ISIS was defeated in the town but the presence of the force and several other forces in the district has been blamed for insecurity which has prevented thousands of its residents who fled due to the war on ISIS from returning. The YBS also attract Turkish airstrikes as it is regarded by Ankara as a front for the PKK, which is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey.
“Meaningful progress to implement the Sinjar Agreement is a necessary step to strengthening Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the spokesperson said.
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