Kurdistan Region Presidency statement on illegal declaration of canton in Shingal

 

“After liberating the towns surrounding Shingal, we praise the Peshmerga forces for aiding in the return of at least 200 members of the Yezidi religious community in northern Iraq, as hopes are to restore stability in the region and civilians can resume with their daily lives.

However, we reject the PKK’s (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) decision of establishing a canton in the district of Shingal (where the Yezidi minority reside), considering this step as “illegal” and counter to the constitution and laws of Kurdistan and Iraq.

The Kurdistan Regional Government thanks the fighters of the People’s Protection Unit (YPG) who helped the Peshmerga when Islamic State attacked Shingal, but we reject the recent action of the PKK, forming a local administration assembly in Shingal, which is contrary to Iraqi and Kurdistan Region laws and constitution. We won’t accept this intervention in the Kurdistan Region’s internal affairs.”

Kurdistan Region Presidency

17/1/2015