A brigade commander from the Iraqi army, a police officer, and another soldier were wounded during clashes with the Sinjar Resistance Units (YBŞ), the armed wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), in northern Sinjar on Tuesday evening, according to a security source.

The confrontation erupted when a joint force of the Iraqi army and police attempted to stop a vehicle carrying two YBŞ fighters at a checkpoint. The fighters reportedly refused to comply with security orders, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

Security forces managed to arrest the two fighters following the clash, and an investigation has been launched into the incident.

Sinjar district, located in Nineveh province, has long been a flashpoint for tensions between Iraqi forces and PKK-affiliated groups. The ongoing presence of PKK-linked fighters in the area has raised concerns over regional stability and hindered efforts to facilitate the return of displaced residents.

The Iraqi federal government has repeatedly criticized the PKK’s presence in Sinjar, blaming it for continued instability and calling for the group’s withdrawal to restore peace and enable the safe return of displaced communities.

The latest incident underscores the fragile security situation in Sinjar, where sporadic clashes continue to threaten efforts to rebuild and stabilize the region following years of conflict.