Escalations in Syria Rises Potential Threats to Ezidi Population in the Region

In response to the escalating violence in Syria, the Iraqi government has significantly bolstered military presence along its western border, particularly in the Shingal region, home to Iraq’s Ezidi citizens. The decision to send reinforcements comes as fears grow over the spillover of the Syrian conflict, which has intensified in recent weeks with a series of violent clashes between Syrian rebels and the Syrian regime.

According to Haider Shasho, commander of the Êzîdxan Protection Forces, the deployment is a precautionary measure to prevent potential infiltration by extremist groups, particularly those with ties to the Islamic State (ISIS). He emphasized that while Shingal is geographically distant from the heart of the Syrian conflict—roughly 400-500 kilometers from the epicenter of the fighting—the region remains vulnerable to attacks from terror factions exploiting the chaos in Syria.

There is currently a heavy military presence at the border, both from the Iraqi army and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), all of whom are equipped with advanced weaponry. Since the tension in the region is rising, terrorist organisations such as ISIS may attempt to exploit the instability across the border.

The reinforcement of Iraq’s borders follows a recent surge in violence within Syria, where rebel forces led by the jihadist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), supported by Turkish-backed forces, have launched aggressive offensives in Aleppo and Hama. The fighting has sparked widespread fears that the violence could spill over into neighboring Iraq, particularly in regions like Shingal, where memories of the 2014 ISIS genocide remain raw.

Concerns over the resurgence of ISIS have been compounded by reports that hundreds of ISIS militants were recently released from Syrian detention facilities, including prisons in Hasakeh and the notorious Al-Hol camp, which lies on the Iraq-Syria border. These developments have heightened fears for potential attacks on the Ezidi people, which endured one of the most brutal genocides of the 21st century at the hands of ISIS fighters a decade ago.

In response to these threats, the head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Faleh al-Fayyadh, confirmed on December 2 that his forces would increase their presence along the border with Syria, emphasizing that any efforts to cross into Iraq would be met with resistance.

The Iraqi government has also implemented a series of diplomatic measures, including enhanced intelligence-sharing and coordination with neighboring countries, to further secure its borders. Dr. Shakhawan Abdullah, Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, called for “preemptive operations” to address the security risks posed by the influx of fighters across the Syria-Iraq border.

Despite the heightened security measures, the humanitarian situation remains precarious for the Ezidi population. There have been reports of Ezidi civilians being killed by Syrian rebels, particularly in areas like Afrin and Aleppo.

The Ezidi commander, Haider Shasho, called on the international community to take urgent action to prevent further atrocities against the Ezidi people.