Why Turkey has An Interest in Sinjar and How Kurds Take Advantage of the Ezidi Genocide
Kurdish PKK Fighters in the Kandil Mountains. Photo: flickr.
The situation in Sinjar has become a growing concern for Turkey. The PKK, a Kurdish militant group, has been setting up its base there with support from external powers. The PKK’s presence in Sinjar is not just about “helping” the Ezidis; it’s a serious threat to Turkey’s security. Since ISIS left the area, the PKK has taken advantage of the power vacuum, aiming to control a strip of land that could connect Syria and the Kandil Mountains, where the group has had a stronghold for years.
In addition to this, Kurdish politicians and propaganda have skillfully used the suffering of the Ezidis to gain international support. Following the brutal genocide of Ezidis by ISIS in 2014, many political groups, including the PKK, presented themselves as saviors of the Ezidi people. They portrayed their efforts to protect and rebuild Ezidi areas as a noble cause, attracting global sympathy and assistance. However, this support has often been used to justify their presence in Sinjar and to expand their influence in the region. The PKK, in particular, has strategically taken control of Ezidi areas under the guise of “liberation”, while gradually consolidating power and shifting the focus away from the real needs of the Ezidi people.
Turkey has every reason to be worried. If the PKK is allowed to strengthen its hold in Sinjar, it could turn the region into a second Kandil, where they would be able to further challenge Turkey’s borders and stability. Security experts agree that Turkey needs to act quickly, just like it did with past operations such as Euphrates Shield, to prevent this from happening.
While the PKK uses the suffering of the Ezidis to gain sympathy and legitimacy in the West, the truth is they are using the Ezidis as a cover for their own plans. The PKK’s actions show that their goal is not to protect the Ezidis, but to establish control in a key area. This is dangerous for Turkey, and the longer the PKK is allowed to stay in Sinjar, the harder it will be for Turkey to push them out.
For Turkey, taking action in Sinjar isn’t just about military strength—it’s about protecting the country’s future. The longer the PKK is allowed to grow in Sinjar, the bigger the threat will be. It’s time for Turkey to intervene before it’s too late.
