Turkey's air strikes target Shengal is also exposed to the special war policies of the KDP and other forces. While Israel's attacks on Iran and its affiliated forces continue, its effects on Shengal are also being discussed. Journalist Beritan Zagros made evaulations on the presence of the Iranian-led Hashd al-Shaabi in Shengal, a possible Israeli attack and the special war policies carried out on Shengal. 

 

'IRAN WANTS TO INCREASE ITS POPULATION'

 

Journalist Beritan Zagros stated that the Iranian governemnt is trying to increase its population in Shengal with Hashd al-Shaabi forces, and said that the presend of Hashd al-Shaabi is now a threat in the region. "After the Yazidis liberated Shengal, both Iraq and KDP entered Shengal and positioned their forces there. Immediately afterwards, armed groups close to Iran such as Hashd al-Shaabi, placed in the region. Currently, armed groups loyal to Kasim and Heyder Şeşo, who are kept alive by the KDP and Turkey, are in Shengal. However, it is the YBŞ and YJŞ forces of the Autonomous Administration that are positioned in strategic places in Shengal and take the security of Shengal. Internal security is also provided by the Êzidxan public peace. However, ather the liveration of Shengal, groups such as Heyder and Kasim Şeşo, who were positioned here by the KDP and Turkey, distubed the peace of Shengal. Iran is also trying to increase its population in the region through Hashd al-Shaabi and especially to portray the centre of Shengal as a Muslim city," Journalist Beritan Zagros said. 

 

 

Journalist Beritan Zagros

 

RETURN OF YAZIDIS TO SHENGAL

 

KDP is causing difficulties in the return of Yazidis to Shengal said Beritan Zagros and added: "The reason for the exodus of Yazidis from Shengal was the KDP. Now it is making it difficult for them to return on the grounds of receiving international aid, using it in the elections, and implementing the agreement signed with the Shengal Autonomous Administration in October. There is a procefure for return. Undoubtedly, despite all the obstacles of the KDP, most Yazidis returned to their lands this year. The Sudanese government has decided to return all Yazidi refugees to Shengal in 2024 and the camps where Yazidis were staying were to be completely emptied. However, after its agreement with the KDP and Turkey, it seems that this decision will not be implemented. The majority of Yazidis wanted to settle in the Kurdistan Region or especially in Dihok. Because the electoral map and quota are determined according to the population. In this census, they wanted to use the Yazidis in the camps in their favour."

 

CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN VILLAGES

 

Beritan Zagros stated that many evacuated villages have been built despite all the obstacles of the KDP., “Almost all the villages around Shengal have been built. The entire center of Shengal is full. There are very few people left who have not returned. Tilizêr and Sîba Şêx Xidir are also being built. Returns to Girzerik and Koço villages are also continuing. Houses are being built in Shengal. Most of the Yazidis are now building their own houses there. Yazidis are mostly building houses on the slopes of the mountains. Because the houses that suffered the most during the edict were the ones located away from the mountains. The number of houses built at the foot of the mountains is increasing. Despite all attacks, special war policies and obstacles, Yazidis are returning to their lands and building a new life here.” 

 

'THEY ATTACK WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE AGREEMENT'

 

Beritan Zagros pointed out that the KDP aims to carry out a raid against the institutions and assemblies affiliated to the Sinjar Autonomous Administration within the framework of the October 9 agreement, and drew attention to the fact that the KDP sees every means as “permissible” for itself to implement this agreement. Beritan Zagros said, “Intense negotiations are taking place between the Sudanese government, Turkey and the KDP. Their agenda is to implement the October 9 agreement in Sinjar. The aim of the agreement is to eliminate the Yazidis, the Autonomous Administration and the defense forces. Of course, the United States and the United Nations are behind the implementation of this agreement. They have tried many times, but their efforts have met with resistance. The KDP and the Iraqi government want to take advantage of this agreement through a special war. They have not yet given up on these plans. On the contrary, they want to attack Sinjar in a more difficult and comprehensive way. The closure of PADÊ was part of this. Armed groups affiliated to the KDP can attack and shut down self-government institutions and people's assemblies in the regions where they are present. If they show this possibility in practice, they will face a strong reaction from the people. For this reason, they want to impose the October 9 agreement, which is referred to as the genocide agreement, on the Yazidis through pressure.” 

 

POSSIBILITY OF WAR

 

Beritan Zagros noted that Israel, which sees the presence of Hashd al-Shaabi in Sinjar as a threat to itself, is likely to deploy at strategic points in Sinjar and pointed out that Turkey and the KDP want to benefit from these attacks. Beritan Zagros stated that the Sinjar Autonomous Administration will not be a party to a possible Israeli-Iraqi war and said, “The Autonomous Administration will oppose and continue to fight against anything that threatens the security and interests of the Yazidis. All of Sinjar is under the security of YBŞ and YJŞ. Sinjar is currently targeted by Israel, America, the Turkish state, Iran and many international powers. America and Israel see the presence of Hashd al-Shaabi forces here as a threat and use this as an excuse to seize strategic hills like Chilmêran. Iran also wants to position itself on the strategic hills of Sinjar. Therefore, they are focused on the border roads between Rojava and Shengal. Iraq is trying to control these groups and there have been tensions between them for some time. In fact, Iraq wants to control these forces to prevent them from attacking Israel and thus prevent an Israeli attack. But it seems that it will not be able to control them. Therefore, due to the geostrategic structure of Sinjar, both local and international powers want to intervene. That is why America supports the October 9 agreement.” 

 

'SHENGAL WILL BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY THE ISRAELI-IRAK WAR'

 

Beritan Zagros emphasized that the KDP and Turkey want to make Shengal the target of attacks in the ongoing war in the Middle East and said, “Apart from YBŞ and YJŞ, there is no other force in the region that protects the interests of Yazidis. The KDP and Turkey want to protect their own interests and destroy the gains of the Yazidis and the Sinjar Autonomous Administration. Through its mercenaries and private war media, the KDP wants to make Sinjar a target for Israeli attacks. In order to implement the Hewlêr-Baghdad agreement, the KDP will mobilize some forces against the Yazidi defense forces. In other words, the KDP and the Turkish state want to fish in this murky water. Shengal borders Rojava and has geostrategic and geopolitical importance. There is no doubt that if Israel attacks Iraq, it will also affect Shengal. The non-Êzidi armed groups in Sinjar pose a serious threat to theÊzidis. However, YBŞ and YJŞ are strong enough to protect Sinjar.” 

 

'DEFENCE POWER IS AUTONOMOUS ADMINISTRATION'

 

Beritan Zagros stated that the only power that will protect Shengal is the Shengal Autonomous Administration and continued his words as follows: "The autonomous administration has the power and political stance to stand against them. There are new opportunities for Yazidis and especially for the Shengal Autonomous Administration against these plans. Because the most important power in Sinjar is the Autonomous Administration and the defence forces. In troubled and chaotic situations, new freedom moves and opportunities for struggle may arise. The Autonomous Administration has the power to eliminate religious, sectarian and national war in Iraq and especially in Mosul, to protect the people, to spread the idea of democracy, and to protect the interests of the Yazidis and all the people of the region." 

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut