PKK’s YBS Issues Ultimatum to Iraqi Army: 24-Hour Deadline for Release of Members

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a dramatic turn of events in the Sinjar district, also known as ‘Shingal’, the Sinjar Protection Units (YBS) faction, loyal to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union, the United States, and Turkey, in Sinjar, has issued an ultimatum to the Iraqi security forces on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of five of its members arrested by the Iraqi police. 

The deadline for their release is set at 24 hours, and the group has threatened further escalation, including attacking the Iraqi federal police and army if their demands are not met.

The unrest began late last night in the center of Sinjar when YBS militants, clashed with Iraqi military forces and federal police. The confrontation resulted in five Iraqi policemen and three YBS fighters being injured, with one police officer suffering severe wounds. The situation quickly escalated into a violent confrontation between the two sides, raising fears of further instability in the town. 

According to official PKK media reports, the clashes occurred shortly after 11:00 PM on Tuesday when Iraqi forces launched an attack on the YBS fighters' vehicles in the heart of Sinjar. The attack reportedly caused significant damage to the YBS vehicles, with three of its members wounded in the attack. One of the injuries was particularly severe, further fueling tensions.

Following the violence, YBS forces, along with the PKK, have vowed to intensify their resistance if the five detained fighters are not released by the Iraqi authorities within 24 hours. The situation has triggered widespread concerns about the potential for renewed conflict, as both sides have fortified their positions, and military preparations are underway.

Following these events, on Wednesday, the Nineveh Province investigative court issued arrest warrants for five PKK members, accusing them of terrorism and the kidnapping of a government employee, an agricultural engineer.

This latest round of hostilities comes amid growing tensions between Iraqi forces and the PKK-affiliated militant groups in the disputed town of Sinjar, where both the PKK and Iraqi forces maintain a significant presence. While there has been an ongoing effort to stabilize the area, recent flare-ups suggest the fragile peace is at risk, with both sides accusing each other of provocations.

The YBS’s threat to escalate the situation marks a significant shift in the ongoing conflict, with the 24-hour deadline adding pressure to Iraqi authorities. As the situation develops, both the Iraqi government and PKK-affiliated militant groups are bracing for potential further clashes, which could have far-reaching consequences for the region's stability.

This conflict is a major concern for both local and international observers, as Sinjar remains a critical district due to its strategic location and historical significance in the fight against ISIS. With tensions escalating and the deadline quickly approaching, the next 24 hours could prove pivotal in determining the extent of the conflict's escalation.

PKK and its affiliated armed group of YBS have a history of playing a significant role in the ongoing instability in Sinjar, complicating efforts to restore security and enable the return of Yezidi internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their hometown, following their displacement and mass killing under the hand of ISIS. While both groups have framed their presence in the town as a protective measure for the Yezidi community, their actions have contributed to the militarization of the area, fueling tensions with the Iraqi government and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). 

The violent activities of the PKK and YBS in Sinjar have obstructed the implementation of the Sinjar Agreement signed between the KRG and the Iraqi Federal Government, continuously hindering the safe and voluntary return of thousands of Yezidis IDPs who remain displaced, fearing renewed violence and instability in the town of Sinjar. Despite international calls for stability and reconstruction, the presence of these armed groups remains a significant obstacle to reconciliation and the rebuilding of Sinjar.