Can Baghdad finally resolve the crisis in Sinjar?

Can Baghdad finally resolve the crisis in Sinjar? Since the genocide of the Yazidis in 2014, this northern Iraqi town has been embroiled in a violent power struggle. Iraqi forces and Syria's border region have witnessed fierce battles since January 2026. Earlier this week, the Iraqi government declared that the Yazidi-led armed group, the YBS, had been fully integrated into the state.

This group, allied with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), was formed in the 2000s to safeguard the Yazidi minority, who have endured discrimination and sectarian attacks for generations. After the 2014 IS genocide, the YBS became a key force in Sinjar's defense. On Monday, an Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi announced the integration of 2,500 YBS fighters into the Iraqi security forces, handing over positions on Mount Sinjar to the Iraqi Army.

However, this move has sparked controversy. The KRG interior ministry expressed concerns, insisting that the UN-backed 2020 Sinjar agreement be implemented, which would have removed non-state actors from the governorate. The Iraqi government defended its actions, stating that they align with their vision to strengthen the rule of law and regulate weapons under official federal and military security institutions.

The issue remains a proxy conflict driven by Iran and Turkey's interests, with Turkey opposing the YBS due to its PKK ties. The Turkish government has already withdrawn from the area, signaling a possible resolution to the long-standing tensions between Iraq and its neighbors.