The Iraqi government has deployed significant military reinforcements to the border with Syria near Shingal, the Yazidi heartland, in response to a recent surge in violence across the border, according to Haider Shasho, commander of the Ezidikhan Protection Forces.

The deployment is described as a precautionary measure to prevent “unwanted situations,” including the infiltration of terrorist groups into Iraq. Shasho emphasized that while Shingal is approximately 400 to 500 kilometers from the main conflict zones in Syria, securing the border is critical to protecting the Yazidi community from potential attacks.

“There is a lot of military reinforcement along the border of Shingal with the Syrian border,” Shasho told Rudaw’s Hawar Jalaladin. “I hope that the Iraqi army and the Iraqi government do their jobs, protect the borders, and do not allow terrorist organizations to enter Iraq.”

Forces from both the Iraqi army and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have been stationed at the border, equipped with advanced weaponry. Shasho highlighted the need for cooperation between Iraqi forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga to ensure effective border security.

The escalation of violence in Syria, including a major offensive by Syrian rebel groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian National Army (SNA), has raised fears among the Yazidi community. The rebels recently captured the northern city of Aleppo and expanded their offensive into Hama province, intensifying concerns about a spillover into Iraq.

Yazidi rights activists reported violations against their community, including the killing of at least two Yazidi men in Afrin and Aleppo. Shasho urged international organizations to take action to prevent further atrocities.

The Iraqi interior ministry has sought to allay fears, stating on Monday that the western border with Syria is secured “better than any point in Iraq’s history.” However, the Yazidi community remains wary, given past experiences with violence and displacement.

The ongoing conflict in Syria, including attacks on Kurdish forces in Afrin and Tel Rifaat by the Turkey-backed SNA, continues to destabilize the region, posing significant risks to Iraq’s border security and its vulnerable communities.