MESOP MIDEAST WATCH : IRAQ & TURKEY JOINTLY AGAINST YEZIDI AND KURDISH PKK TROOPS

Abdulla Hawez  2.5.22

Iraq army has started a multi-front attack against PKK-backed Yazidi forces throughout Sinjar region, using tanks and helicopters – YBS & Ezidxan forces have refused to surrender. The Yazidi forces are locals who came to prominence by taking arms against ISIS onslaught in 2014.

The Iraqi army has vowed been signaling it no longer tolerates the presence of PKK-backed Yazidi militia YBS since two weeks ago when Turkey started a new cross-border Op in Iraqi Kurdistan; interestingly, pro-Iran militias, which YBS is formally part of, have stayed silent.

Iraq has tried to crack down on YBS before but all indications are that this time they are serious – Iraq has an agreement with KRG to remove pro-PKK elements from Sinjar. I suspect Turkey has given an ultimatum, either Iraq removes them or it takes things into its own hands.

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