MESOP “HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY PKK” – Iraqi-backed PKK Forces in Sinjar Hindering IDPs Return – PKK forces will withdraw from the area if Baghdad discontinues financial and military support to them, Waisi Naif says

Basnews English – 13/11/2016 – 14:37        – Iraqi-backed PKK Forces in Sinjar Hindering IDPs Return  – SINJAR — Head of Sinjar mayoral council stated on Sunday that Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) forces, receiving support from Baghdad, are the major barrier to the return of the Yezidi IDPs to their homes in the district.

Waisi Naif, the Head of Sinjar Mayoral Council told BasNews that the political conflicts in the area are preventing the displaced people from returning to their homes, affirming that the area is fully secured by the Peshmerga forces. He explained that people will all return home if PKK vacates the area.

The official accused Baghdad for supporting the PKK guerrillas in Sinjar which further helps them stay in the district, arguing that PKK will withdraw from the area if Baghdad discontinues its financial and military support to the group. Mahma Khalil, the Mayor of Sinjar, also stated that although one year has passed since Sinjar was liberated, IDPs are still unwilling to head back to their areas due to the presence of illegitimate armed forces, particularly PKK, in the district.

Khalil added that Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani is putting his utmost effort into the project of making Sinjar a province within Kurdistan Region administration. The Yezidi town was overrun by the militants after the fall of Mosul in mid-2014. The extremist group killed and kidnapped thousands from the community and forced many more to escape home and find shelter in other areas of Kurdistan Region.

The town was liberated by the Peshmerga forces with air support from the US-led coalition on November 13, 2015. Today celebrates the one year anniversary of the liberation which was commemorated by Yezidis. However, the residents are yet to return to their homes due to the large-scale of destruction war has brought to Sinjar and the presence of the PKK guerrillas. Sheikh Shamo, a Yezidi MP in the Kurdistan Region parliament confirmed to BasNews that 20% of the Yezidi territories are yet to be liberated from the IS militants. He also noted that if Mosul administration remains the same as it was before it fell to IS, the area won’t be a safe place for Yezidis. www.mesop.de