Yazidi clergy meeting with PMU fighters after the liberation of southern Sinjar

Now that Sinjar is liberated, what will the Yazidi PMU do? Will they demobilize?

We will continue fighting beside the PMU in and around Sinjar until all of IS is defeated there. The Yazidi forces are not going anywhere after the war. We will stay in our villages and our homes to protect them. We will never allow ourselves to depend on others for our protection.

What happened in the immediate aftermath of Sinjar’s liberation by the PMU? How did other forces in Sinjar react?

The Peshmerga played no part in the liberation of the south. Naturally, the Yazidi Peshmerga were frustrated by this since many of them are from the south. In the days following, there were hundreds of Yazidis who defected from both the Peshmerga and the YBS to pledge allegiance to the PMU. Many previously independent fighters also joined us. We accepted any who would come, and since then, another Yazidi unit of PMU was established called Kojo Battalion.

What was the reaction of Yazidi commanders in the Peshmerga to the defections?

Qassem Shesho (commander of Yazidi Peshmerga) was angry because he knows he is losing influence and soldiers. He played no part in the south’s liberation, so it looks humiliating for him now. His soldiers spent nearly three years waiting for this moment, but they were not permitted to take part. That’s why many of them came over to the PMU.

How did the KRG respond to these defections? Have they tried stopping them?

Yes, they have arrested some Yazidis who joined or tried to join. Those of us who are members try to keep a low profile and not draw any attention to our loyalties. Because we know the police will harass us and our families.

How will governance in Sinjar look now that IS is gone?

Ideally all of Sinjar would be united, and we Yazidis would be responsible for its defense, but in practical terms, Sinjar will probably remain divided into three zones; KDP, YBS, and PMU.

Are there any plans to rebuild the southern villages of Sinjar?

So far, the PMU has promised nothing like that. If anything, the responsibility will fall to us and the central government in the future.

Do you think many Yazidis will return to southern Sinjar in the future?

If the security remains there, then yes, people will return. And just as importantly, if the villages are rebuilt. They don’t want to remain in the camps any longer, but families can’t return when the villages are completely destroyed and there are no services. That said, the PMU will not prevent anyone from returning to the south.

What about the KDP? Will they prevent civilians from returning?

The KDP will prevent you from drinking your tea! They will prevent you from smoking your cigarettes! Of course! It is not in their interest to see everyone leave the camps and rebuild Sinjar. That is why they make it so difficult to bring goods into the north. They know that if everyone goes home, then the party will lose its influence there because people don’t trust them.

Who do most of the Yazidis in Kurdistan support of all the groups there?

The majority? Without question the PMU. But there is a feeling of fear among the Yazidis because they are worried about what the KDP will do. They are not free to join and they are not free to talk about it without consequences. It’s true we’ve had many join our ranks in spite of these risks, but there would be far more if there was not the fear.

There are rumors that the Kurdish police are threatening any Yazidi who joins the PMU. Is there any truth to this?

Yes, I can attest to this personally. I have received phone calls several times from the police here in Kurdistan. They suggested very strongly that I should cease my association with the PMU or else my family and I will have to leave Kurdistan. But they will not deter me.

Do you feel safe here in Kurdistan?

How can I? There are spies everywhere, including in this camp. Since you and I began talking, a man has walked past this tent twice. He wears no uniform, but he works for the police as a spy. They know who I am and what I belong to. I joined the PMU because I wish to fight the monsters who destroyed my homeland and destroyed my life. I have no regrets. My conscience is clear.