The ongoing peace process between Türkiye and the PKK has drawn attention to armed groups across the region, but its implications for the Ezidi-majority area of Sinjar remain unclear. While some developments suggest a reduction in violence, local dynamics continue to shape the future of the region.
In Sinjar, the Sinjar Resistance Units (YBŞ), formed in 2014 during the ISIS attacks, have so far refused to disarm despite broader calls linked to the peace process. The group maintains that the initiative does not address the concerns of Ezidis, particularly regarding security, justice, and self-governance.
The situation is further complicated by competing political and military actors. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) supports efforts to remove PKK-linked groups from Sinjar, in line with the 2020 Sinjar Agreement between Baghdad and Erbil. However, this has proven difficult due to continued local support for the YBŞ, largely rooted in their role in defending Ezidis during the 2014 genocide.
Regional tensions have also involved Türkiye, which has carried out airstrikes in Sinjar in previous years targeting YBŞ positions. Notably, there have been no reported strikes since mid-2024, contributing to a relative period of stability. Still, concerns remain about potential future operations.
At the same time, Iraqi officials and Ezidi representatives have emphasized that Sinjar should be treated as an internal Iraqi matter. Proposals have been raised to integrate local armed groups into Iraqi state structures, such as the army or police, as a possible path toward long-term stability.
Despite the broader peace process, key challenges in Sinjar persist. These include the return of displaced Ezidis, reconstruction of the region, accountability for past crimes, and the strengthening of local governance. These issues continue to influence how armed groups and local authorities position themselves.
For now, it remains too early to determine the full impact of the Türkiye–PKK peace process on Sinjar. While reduced military activity offers a degree of relief, the long-term future of the region will likely depend more on internal Iraqi political arrangements and the resolution of longstanding local challenges than on external negotiations alone.
This article is a summary of a policy analysis by Wladimir van Wilgenburg, Impact of Turkish-PKK Peace Process on Iraqi Yezidis, Terrorism Monitor, February 27, 2026.
