policy
Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, announced today, Friday, that Sinjar district's resistance factions will begin handing over their weapons to the state. Al-Zaidi affirmed that Mount Sinjar will fall under the full authority of the federal government and its security and administrative institutions, a move aimed at consolidating the district's stability and unifying security decisions. This announcement followed the Prime Minister's reception of a delegation comprising the Yazidi Cause Alliance leadership, its parliamentary bloc head, MP Murad Ismail, and Sinjar Resistance Units leadership. The meeting focused on the overall situation in the district, including stability, reconstruction efforts, and the future of its people. Al-Zaidi emphasized that state control over weapons and unified security decisions are fundamental for protecting residents and ensuring future stability. He clarified that the weapons handover is part of building a state of institutions, protecting national decision unity, and ending multiple security decision centers. The state pledged to guarantee the rights and sacrifices of Sinjar Resistance and Women's Units members by regularizing their status and integrating qualified individuals into official Iraqi security institutions under legal frameworks. The discussions also covered the district's service reality and infrastructure/reconstruction needs, the compensation file for affected individuals, and creating conditions for the return of displaced persons. Addressing administrative issues related to district governance, its institutions, departments, and the Sinjar Reconstruction Fund management, was also part of the talks. Al-Zaidi clarified that Yazidis represent an authentic and vital component of Iraq's social fabric, a source of national and human strength. He referenced the crimes and injustice they endured from terrorist groups. He affirmed the government's commitment to their justice, rights, and return to their areas, addressing the aftermath of terrorism and displacement. He stressed that Sinjar will not be a conflict zone, nor will any security or military authority outside the state's framework be tolerated. To achieve these goals, Al-Zaidi directed the inclusion of Yazidi community members in the "one million residential land plot" project, creating conditions for the full return of displaced persons, and overseeing Sinjar's reconstruction and service provisions to boost socio-economic stability. He also directed the formation of a high committee to comprehensively study Sinjar's security and service realities, identify needs, propose solutions, and monitor the integration of Sinjar protection personnel into official institutions, regularizing their legal status to strengthen state authority and support district stability. For their part, the delegation members expressed full support for the Prime Minister's steps, particularly regarding strengthening state authority, weapons handover, and integrating Sinjar resistance units into official institutions. They also backed anti-corruption efforts, economic reforms, and enhancing Iraq's foreign relations.
