A statement attributed to the Sinjar Autonomous Administration has alleged that unusual movements are taking place around Sinjar and called on the Iraqi government to prevent the district from becoming a battlefield again.
The statement was reported on 22 October 2026. It claimed that individuals acting in support of Turkish interests were attempting to create instability among the population. However, it did not identify those allegedly involved, describe the reported movements or provide evidence supporting its claims. Ezidi Times has found no independent confirmation of the alleged activity.
The administration connected its warning to remarks made by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on 10 February. Fidan said that Iraqi forces could advance into Sinjar while Turkey conducted air operations, describing a potential operation against armed groups in the district as relatively simple.
The statement defended YBŞ, YJŞ and Asayish, describing them as forces established after the failure of Iraqi and regional authorities to protect Ezidis during the 2014 Genocide. It called for disputes concerning their future to be addressed through dialogue and Iraqi law.
The warning comes amid increasing pressure to place all armed formations in Sinjar under federal authority. On 23 September, Iraq and Turkey announced an agreement to extend Iraqi state authority throughout the district and end the presence of prohibited foreign armed elements.
Questions nevertheless remain about the date and origin of the circulated statement. It appeals directly to Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as Iraq’s prime minister, although Ali Faleh al-Zaidi assumed office in May 2026. This raises the possibility that an older statement has been republished or circulated without adequate context.
Any military confrontation in Sinjar would carry serious consequences for Ezidis who continue to face displacement, insecurity and the unresolved aftermath of the Genocide. Nevertheless, allegations of new military or political activity must be independently verified before they are presented as established developments.
