Iraq begins integration of Sinjar Protection Units under state control

The Iraqi government announced on Monday the start of procedures to dissolve the Sinjar Protection Units (Al-Ebsha) and integrate their members into official state institutions, while transferring security responsibility for Mount Sinjar to federal authorities.

Spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah Al-Numan, said in a statement carried by Iraqi media that this move is being supervised and overseen by Commander-in-Chief Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi. He added that the step is part of the government’s program to ensure all weapons are under state control and to establish a new phase of security responsibility in Sinjar district.

The statement praised the significant sacrifices made by members of the Yazidi community in confronting Daesh and defending Iraq and Sinjar, commending their commitment to national principles and to the constitution, which prohibits the formation of armed groups outside the framework of regular forces.

The government expressed its appreciation for the Yazidi community’s sacrifices in fighting terrorism and defending Iraq and Sinjar, affirming its commitment to safeguarding the rights of those who fought terrorism, compensating the families of victims and those affected by terrorist acts, and rebuilding the district.

Mount Sinjar witnessed the official ceremony on Monday marking the start of the military disengagement of the Sinjar Protection Units (Al-Ebsha) and the complete transfer of security responsibility for the strategic mountain to federal authorities. This coincided with the launch of a process to integrate between 4,000 and 5,000 unit fighters into Iraq’s official security and state institutions.