PKK withdraws from Shingal, says Iraq will secure Yezidi area

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has announced the withdrawal of its fighters from Shingal, saying that the Yezidi population no longer faces a security threat and the Iraqi government is capable of providing security to the area.

The announcement follows on the heels of Turkish threats to carry out a military operation against the PKK in Shingal and the group’s headquarters in the Qandil mountains of the Kurdistan Region.

The PKK deployed forces to Shingal in 2014 to help defend the Yezidis against the genocidal campaign of ISIS.

Since Yezidis have organized and can now run their own affairs and the Iraqi state has accepted the democratic wishes of the Yezidi people and is prepared to protect their security, "we took the decision to withdraw our guerrilla forces from Shingal," Kurdistan Communities Union, the PKK umbrella group, said in a statement on Friday.

The move has been welcomed by one of the largest Yezidi advocacy groups, Yazda. 

“We express our gratitude to the Kurdish Force who volunteered to open a safe passage to rescue Yazidis in 2014 and held security for the past three years with great courage and dignity,” stated Murad Ismael, executive director of Yazda, welcoming the withdrawal decision. 

The next step is for the Iraq government to “recruit a sizable force from the locals, provide training and equipment, to deal with the challenging security situation in Sinjar,” he said, using an alternative name for Shingal. 

Baghdad, the international community, and aid agencies must all come together to support restoration of essential services, stability, and economic growth, he added, estimating that billions of dollars will be needed to revitalize the region.

Earlier this month, the Nineveh Provincial Council called on all armed groups, including the PKK and the Hashd al-Shaabi, to withdraw from Shingal, stating that civilians had requested the administration return and resume services.

The PKK had refused repeated calls made by the Kurdistan Regional Government to withdraw from Shingal.

Yezidis have already begun fleeing Shingal, fearing an imminent Turkish offensive, according to Vian Dakhil, the only Yezidi member of the Iraqi parliament. She called on the legislature to "commit" Baghdad to preventing such an operation.

Iraqi Foreign Minister said on Tuesday that they strongly reject any Turkish attacks within its borders after he met with a delegation from Turkey.

Ankara has said they want to coordinate with Baghdad against the PKK in Iraq.

ISIS captured Shingal on August 3, 2014, committing genocide against the Yezidi population. The town was liberated in November 2015 by a coalition of Kurdish forces, including KRG Peshmerga and PKK fighters.

The Peshmerga withdrew from Shingal, a disputed area claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad, last October after military confrontations between the two sides following the Kurdish vote for independence.