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Iraq
The disputed district of Shingal has been controlled by various groups since its liberation from ISIS. File photo: Rudaw
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region —The Yezidi homeland of Shingal remains in limbo despite a recent deal between Erbil and Baghdad to normalize the security and military situation in the area.
Erbil and Baghdad announced a “historic” deal over the governance of Shingal on October 9.
Both sides agreed to end “the authority of intruding groups and pave the way for the reconstruction of the city and the full return of its people in coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government,” said Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s spokesperson Ahmed Mullah Talal in a tweet.
The deal, which will also usher in a new local administration, has been welcomed by the United Nations, the United States, and France.
However, locals remain skeptical.
“[The situation] remains the same. The same forces remain in the region. They [Erbil and Baghdad] were supposed to act after the deal but they have not taken any steps,” said teacher Hussein Hassan.
“I believe the region will be more secure if Peshmerga forces enter,” said farmer Ali Salih.
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.
There are at least six armed groups in Shingal, affiliated to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) – an armed group struggling for increased cultural and political rights of Kurds in Turkey.
The district has been hit by multiple Turkish airstrikes in recent months, further preventing displaced Yezidis from returning to the area.
Riham Hasso is the co-chair of Shingal’s Autonomous Council , a civil administration formed by PKK-affiliated groups to govern the district. She told Rudaw that any deal on Shingal requires their consent.
“We are here to represent people. As the Autonomous Council, we know what we are talking about. Whoever comes here, needs the consent of us and people. If we do not approve, there will be no deals in Shingal,” she said.
The council has appointed Fahd Hamd as the de-facto mayor of Shingal. However, the elected mayor of the district is Mahma Khalil, who works in Duhok.
Qadir Qachakh, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) office in Shingal, told Rudaw on Thursday that Erbil and Baghdad have agreed on Khidir Rasho as the new mayor.
Qachakh said the new appointment will take effect “after the invaders leave Shingal. The security and then administrative vacuum will be dealt with.”
Khal Ali, commander of the PMF (Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic) in Shingal, told Rudaw that he wondered how can Hamid Al-Shatri, Undersecretary of the Iraqi National Security Agency, sign on a deal against them while he helped form a PMF brigade.
“Firstly, this deal is a coup against Hashd. Secondly, this deal is dangerous for Mr Hamid Al-Shatri. He formed a brigade and has made sacrifices here. Now, he has signed to expel them,” Ali said.
Qasim Shasho, Commander of Peshmerga-affiliated Shingal Command, told Rudaw that the deal should have been made earlier.
“Baghdad and Erbil were even late to reach a deal. We wanted them to make such a decision earlier so that Peshmerga and Iraqi forces can jointly defend the region. I believe this will bring security and stability to the region and the displaced can return to Shingal.”
Additional reporting by Tahseen Qasim
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