Heavy deployment of troops continues in Shengal

Following the agreement between the KDP and Baghdad on Shengal, large contingents of troops are being deployed to the region. At least 8,000 soldiers were deployed there within two days.

On 9 October, the KDP signed an agreement with the central government in Baghdad on the control of the region of Shengal. On 24 November, the Iraqi government and the KDP began deploying troops to the region. This deployment increased dramatically within 24 hours. The Iraqi government justified this action alleging the need to protect the border and to replace the forces stationed in Shengal. However, no troops were withdrawn, but new special police and military units were brought into the region.

"We are here to fight the YBŞ"

On 25 November at around 11.30 p.m. a new deployment of troops began. According to ANF investigation, soldiers said things such as: "We are here to fight the YBŞ".

It is said that there Turkish-speaking elements among the troops. There was a search for people who speak Turkmen to be translators.

Shengal is one of the targets of the attack carried out by the Turkish army and the resistance units YBŞ which are regarded as “part of the PKK" by the Erdoğan regime and the KDP. Due to the close cooperation between the KDP and the Turkish state, it is not unlikely that Turkish units will be involved in the mobilization. Part of the agreement between Baghdad and Hewlêr is the dissolution of the Yazidi self-defense forces.

8,000 soldiers deployed so far

So far, around 8,000 soldiers and special police officers have been deployed to the region. According to military sources, the contingent will be doubled.

Agreement without the involvement of the Yazidi population

The Iraqi government agreed with the KDP to divide up power over the region of Shengal and to reinstall the KDP administration. The agreement was reached without even consulting the Yazidi population and its autonomous administration. The KDP, which collaborates closely with Turkey, is co-responsible for the genocide carried out by ISIS as its forced withdrew on 3 August 2014. The liberation of the Yazidis was carried out by the HPG and YPG / YPJ.

Autonomous Administration calls for protest

The Autonomous Administration of the region of Shengal sees this operation as an impending new massacre and called for urgent mobilization. In addition to the destruction of the self-defense forces and the autonomous administration, the operation is about the imprisonment of Yazidis who fought against ISIS, the confiscation of weapons used for self-defense and the prevention of movements in the region. Foreign troops are to be stationed at the holy places of the Yazidis and ISIS collaborators are to be resettled in the Shengal region.