SHINGAL, Iraq — Yezidis in Shingal demonstrated on Sunday, calling on Erbil and Baghdad to begin implementing a deal on security and administration in the disputed district.
The Iraqi government and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) signed a "historic" agreement on October 9 to resolve a number of issues preventing displaced Shingalis from returning to the area.
The deal “ends the authority of intruding groups and paves the way for the reconstruction of the city and the full return of its people in coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government,” according to an Iraqi government spokesperson.
"We ask the Kurdistan Regional Government and the central government to implement this agreement as soon as possible, for us to go back to our homes," Khelif Hassan told Rudaw on Sunday.
"Our goal in this demonstration, and the request of these people, is the return of legitimate governance to Shingal, and for security and stability to be restored so that we can come back," said Marwan Khudeda.
"We have been in this situation for six years, and until now legitimate and legal governance in Shingal has not been put in place," he added.
Shingal lies within areas disputed between the governments in Baghdad and Erbil. The Yezidi population fled when the Islamic State (ISIS) swept through northern Iraq in 2014, committing genocide against the minority group.
Hundreds of thousands sought refuge in camps in the Kurdistan Region, more than 6,000 people were kidnapped by the group, and over 1,200 killed.
Federal forces took control of the region in 2017 after the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum. A number of armed groups, including and PKK-linked militias have vied for control since its liberation from ISIS.
"As the people of Shingal, we ask for this agreement to be implemented so we do not face another genocide," said Shingal resident Qasim Ido.
Translation by Dilan Hussein, video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
