SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi military has deployed more troops to Sinjar attempting to take control over bases belonging to the Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS) and Sinjar Women’s Units (YJS) as fighting continues between the two sides.
Clashes erupted between Iraqi troops and YBS fighters in Sinune town near Sinjar on Monday after Iraq’s military requested Ezdikhan Asayish (security) to hand over its base in the town, residents told Esta Media Network.
With the assistance of the People’s Defense Forces (HPG), the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) military wing, Yazidis formed their own self-defense with the Sinjar Resistance Units and the Sinjar Women’s Units after Islamic State (ISIS) attack on the district in 2014.
Esta Media Network has learned that clashes broke out again between the two sides on Tuesday after the Iraqi military attacked Jadad checkpoint of Ezdikhan Asayish in Sinjar.
YBS-affiliated media reported that the Iraqi military has deployed a large number of troops to Gali Shilo and Sikne areas in Sinjar.
Shafaq news cited a security source as saying that four people were wounded in the clashes on Monday, including two members of Ezdikhan Asayish, one Iraqi soldier and a civilian.
There was no immediate comment from the Iraqi military.
The new development in Sinjar came after Turkish military launched a new cross-border operation in several areas in the Kurdistan Region.
Turkish warplanes, helicopters, drones, commandos and special forces participated in the air and land operation, Turkey’s defense ministry said on Monday.
Turkey’s defense ministry stressed that the operation was “carried out in coordination with our friends and allies”, without giving further details.
Turkish officials privately say they believe Baghdad is firmly on their side in fighting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), according to Reuters.
