Iraq's Ezidi MP urges government to implement deal on PKK’s ouster from Sinjar

By Anadolu staff

ERBIL, Iraq (AA) – An Iraqi Ezidi community leader and member of parliament on Friday urged the government to implement an agreement signed almost three years ago to expel the PKK terrorist group from Mosul's Sinjar district in northwestern Iraq.

Mahma Halil told Anadolu that the agreement signed on Oct. 9, 2020, between Erbil, the capital and most populous city in the Kurdistan region, and Baghdad to eliminate the PKK terrorist group in the region has yet to be implemented, which is the locals' demand as well.

He emphasized that while the Iraqi government had promised to implement the agreement, "it does not fit with the interests of a country from the region and some illegal groups."

Halil also emphasized the importance of better security, public services, and infrastructure in Sinjar.

“The people cannot return to Sinjar because of illegal groups (PKK). People are afraid of the illegal groups, which are also an obstacle to the appointment of a district governor,” he said, adding that “all parties must fulfill their responsibilities, and the Sinjar Agreement must be implemented. Our people are waiting for it."

Daesh/ISIS terrorists attacked Sinjar, a region with an Ezidi-majority population, in August 2014.

The terror group has kidnapped and killed thousands of people, including women and children, or detained them in areas under its control.

The PKK terrorist organization managed to establish a foothold in Sinjar in 2014 under the pretext of protecting the Ezidi community from Daesh/ISIS terrorists.

Sinjar has a strategic position, as it is some 120 kilometers (74 miles) from Mosul and close to the Turkish-Syrian border.

Estimates put the total Ezidi population across the world at nearly 700,000 people. They are concentrated in northern Iraq but also live in countries like Syria and Türkiye.