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{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = Ezidkhan
|native_name = {{lang-kmr|Êzîdxan}}, {{lang-ar|ايزيدخان}}
|common_name = Ezidkhan or West-Sinjar
|status = ''De facto'' autonomous region within Iraq
|image_flag = Ezidxan Flag.png
|image_coat =
|image_map =
|map_caption =
|national_anthem =
|languages_type = Official languages
|languages = {{plainlist|
*[[Northern Kurdish|Northern]] and [[Central Kurdish|central]] [[Kurdish languages|Kurdish]].
*[[Ezdiki]]
*[[Arabic]]
}}
|regional_languages =
|capital =
|coordinates = {{Coord|36|37|N|41|55|E|type:city}}
|largest_city = [[Sinjar]]
|government_type = {{plainlist|
*[[Democratic confederalism]]
*[[Direct democracy]]}}
|leader_title1 = Chair of the Ezidixan People’s Council
|leader_name1 =
|leader_title2 = Head of the Supreme Spiritual Council
|leader_name2 = Baba Sheikh Khurto Hajji Ismail
|area_magnitude =
|area_km2 =
|area_sq_mi =
|population_estimate_year = 2014
|population_estimate =
|sovereignty_type = [[Autonomous region]]
|established_event1 = Autonomous control established
|established_date1 = Between August and December 2014
|established_event2 = Autonomy announced<ref name="YezidiPost">{{cite news|title=Baba Sheikh declares formation of Yezidi nation "Ezdixan" and bless formation of cabinet council|url=http://yezidipost.com/2017/07/26/baba-shiekh-declares-formation-of-yezidi-nation-ezdixan-and-bless-the-formation-of-cabinet-council-2/|accessdate=5 September 2017|agency=Yezidi Post|publisher=Yezidi Post|date=2017-07-25}}</ref><ref name="aina_announment">{{cite news|title=Yazidis Proclaim the Establishment of a Provisional Government|url=http://aina.org/news/20170725131025.html|accessdate=5 September 2017|agency=[[Assyrian International News Agency]]|date=2017-07-25}}</ref>
|established_date2 = 25 July 2017
|established_event3 = Ezidixan People’s Council declared autonomy<ref name="gazetekarinca.com">http://gazetekarinca.com/2017/08/sengalde-demokratik-ozerklik-ilan-edildi/</ref><ref name="anfturkce.net">https://anfturkce.net/toplum-ekolojI/Sengal-de-demokratik-oezerklik-ilan-edildi-94964</ref><ref name="yurtgazetesi.com.tr">http://www.yurtgazetesi.com.tr/dunya/sengal-de-demokratik-ozerklik-ilan-edildi-h44279.html</ref>
|established_date3 = 20 August 2017
|established_event4 =
|established_date4 =
|established_event5 =
|established_date5 =
|currency = [[Syrian pound]] and [[Iraqi Dinar]]
|currency_code = SYP and IQD
|time_zone = EET
|utc_offset = +2
|time_zone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST =
|drives_on = right
}}

'''Ezidkhan''' ({{lang-kmr|Êzîdxan}}, {{IPA-kmr|eːziːdˈxaːn|IPA}}; {{lang-ar|ايزيدخان}}) is an unrecognised ''de facto'' autonomous area established and controlled by the [[Êzîdxan Protection Force|Protection Force of Ezidkhan]] in the Iraqi [[Sinjar District|Sinjar]] region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/09042016|title=1,300 Yezidi men and women receiving military training to defend Shingal|last=|first=|date=2016-04-09|website=www.rudaw.net|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ezidikhan.net/2017/09/24/baba-sheikh-kurdish-referendum-is-not-for-yezidis/|title=Baba Sheikh: “Kurdish referendum is not for Yezidis” – Ezidikhan Public Information Bureau|website=www.ezidikhan.net|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aina.org/news/20170725131025.htm|title=Yazidis Proclaim the Establishment of a Provisional Government|website=www.aina.org|access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aina.org/news/20170906133406.htm|title=Yazidis Begin Reconstruction Talks in Baghdad|website=www.aina.org|access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref><ref name="Basnews" /> Ezidkhan officially means the „land of the [[Yazidis]]“.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://m.huffingtonpost.de/salahdin-koban/ezidxan-eziden-denken-uber-selbstbestimmung_b_10822732.html|title=Êzîdxan? Eziden denken über Selbstbestimmung|date=2016-07-08|work=HuffPost Deutschland|access-date=2018-01-01|language=de-DE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.de/books?id=BZ3HUILlfuQC&pg=PA161&dq=ezidxan&hl=de&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjbprfqxbfYAhUFKlAKHdhtCPUQ6AEIHDAA#v=onepage&q=ezidxan&f=false|title=Mündliche Literatur der Kurden in den Regionen Botan und Hekarî|last=Turgut|first=Lokman|date=2011-01-12|publisher=Logos Verlag Berlin GmbH|isbn=9783832527273|language=de}}</ref>

== Geography ==
The present-day ''de facto'' autonomous area of Ezidkhan only encompasses the western part of Sinjar district.

This includes the town of Khana Sor, the area surrounding the villages of Emdîban, Şikenî, Bare, Bahrava, Meçnunî, Sewra, Heyalê, Hassina, Kebarê, Karsi, Kolkan, Haliqiyya, Sardeshti camps, Dare Karsi, Faydi Talani, Mshirfah, Bir Qasim, Hasso Beg, El Sahal, Bir Jari, Zaku, El Juli, Khirbet Arnouki, Tal Mushrif, Al Faw, Hamsaka, Çefriyê and most of the [[Sinjar mountains]].

Outside this autonomous area, the Ezidixan People’s Council and the Sinjar alliance groups have a some noteworthy but diffuse presence and influence over some area's of Sinjar city and some Yezidi villages inside of east and south Sinjar.{{verification needed|date=September 2017}}

After Peshmerga retreat from the eastern Sinjar region on 17 Oktober 2017 the autonomous Ezidkhan-region took over full control of at least the towns of Sinune, Dugurî, Serefin and Jidalê from the [[Kurdistan Regional Government]].

[[File:Ezidkhan Autonomy.jpg|thumb|Ezidkhan within northern Iraq]]
The historical Ezidkhan area includes the entire [[Sinjar District]] ([[Sinjar]] town, Khana Sor, Sinune, Zorava, Gohbal, Borek, Dohula, Dugure, Siba Sheikh Khidir, Til Ezer, Kocho etc.) and [[Shekhan District]] ([[Ain Sifni|Shekhan]] town, [[Ba'adra]], [[Lalish]], Hahad etc.) and also parts of the [[Al-Hamdaniya District]] ([[Bashiqa]] and [[Bahzani]]) and [[Tel Keppe District]] ([[Khatarah|Hatarah]],<ref>{{cite book|last1=Università di Torino. Facoltà di lettere e filosofia|last2=Centro ricerche archeologiche e scavi di Torino per il Medio Oriente e l'Asia (Italy)|last3=Centro scavi di Torino per il medio oriente e l'Asia|title=Mesopotamia, Volume 32|date=1997|publisher=Giappichelli|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=1KltAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Hatarah%22}}</ref> [[Bozan, Iraq|Bozan]] etc.) in the [[Nineveh Governorate]] in northern [[Iraq]].{{verification needed|date=September 2017}}

== Etymology, historical references and modern day reappearance ==
The term Ezidkhan is also often found in the sacred texts of the Yezidi. An example of this is the ''Qesîda Şerfedîn'' (The message of Sherfedin):<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ezidileaks.blogspot.de/2015/04/sheikh-sherfedin-und-seine.html|title=ÊzîdîLeaks: Sheikh Sherfedin und seine militärischen Aktivitäten|publisher=|accessdate=16 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ezipedia.de/qesida-serfedin-die-botschaft-serfedins/|title=Qesîda Şerfedîn – Die Botschaft Şerfedîns|publisher=|accessdate=16 January 2016}}</ref>
* ''Ciwabê bidne Êzîdxanê'' (Proclaims the message in the Land of the Yezidis)
{{POV|date=November 2016}}
* ''Bila qayîmkin Îmanê'' (They should consolidate and defend their faith)
* ''Şerfedîn mîr e li dîwanê'' (Sherfedin is the prince in residence)


Due to the formation of dedicated Yezidi defensive groups in response to the advance of the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]], the term 'Ezidkhan' stated experienced greater usage.
In October 2015 the Yekîneyên Parastina Jin ê Şengalê (or YPJ-Sinjar, ‘Women’s Defense Units of Sinjar’) changed its name to Yekinêyen Jinên Êzidxan (or YJÊ, ‘[[Êzidxan Women's Units|Ezidkhan Women’s Units]]’).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anfenglish.com/women/ypj-shengal-changes-its-name-to-yje|title=ANF - Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê|publisher=|accessdate=16 January 2016}}</ref>
And in November 2015 the Hêza Parastina Şingal (or HPŞ, ‘[[Protection Force of Sinjar]]’) changed its name to Hêza Parastina Êzîdxanê (or HPÊ, ‘[[Êzîdxan Protection Force|Protection Force of Ezidkhan]]’).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ezidipress.com/blog/hps-benennt-sich-in-hpe-um-heza-parastina-ezidxan/|title=HPŞ benennt sich in HPÊ um: Hêza Parastina Êzîdxan – ÊzîdîPress|publisher=|accessdate=16 January 2016}}</ref>

== Governance and security ==
[[File:Ezidxan Flag.png|thumb|Official flag of the [[Êzîdxan Protection Force|Protection Force of Ezidkhan]]]]
[[File:Ezidxan Flag.png|thumb|Official flag of the [[Êzîdxan Protection Force|Protection Force of Ezidkhan]]]]
The governance of the present-day ''de facto'' autonomous region of Ezidixan in West Sinjar is conducted by the [[Ezidixan People's Council|Ezidixan People’s Council (EPC)]].<ref name="YezidiPost"/><ref name="aina_announment"/>
[[File:Ethnoreligious Iraq.svg|thumb|Ethnoreligious map of Iraq. The two olive green-coloured zones in the north form the core of Ezidkhan]]


The internal security of the area is conducted by the [[Asayîşa Êzîdxanê]]-police force led by [[Hussein Erzurum]].<ref name="Anha">{{cite web |url=http://ku.hawarnews.com/asayisa-ezdixane-hat-avakirin/|title=Asayîşa Êzdîxanê hat avakirin|work=ANHA|date=6 July 2016 |access-date= 24 July 2016}} (In [[Northern Kurdish language]])</ref>
'''Ezidkhan''' ({{lang-kmr|Êzîdxan}}, {{IPA-kmr|eːziːdˈxaːn|IPA}}; {{lang-ckb|ئێزدیخانە}}) is the historical area of settlement of the [[Yazidis]].


The military security of the area is conducted by the groups of the [[Sinjar Alliance]] ([[Sinjar Resistance Units|Sinjar Resistance Units (YBŞ)]], the [[Êzîdxan Women's Units]] (YJÊ), the formerly Peshmerga-aligned [[Êzîdxan Protection Force|Êzîdxan Protection Force (HPÊ)]]) and Arab [[Al-Sanadid Forces]] in the Êmdiban area of west Sinjar with the support of the Syrian YPG.
The historical Ezidkhan area includes the [[Sinjar District]] ([[Sinjar]] town, Khana Sor, Sinune, Zorava, Gohbal, Borek, Dohula, Dugure, Siba Sheikh Khidir, Til Ezer, [[Kojo (Iraq)|Kojo]] etc.) and [[Shekhan District]] ([[Ain Sifni|Shekhan]] town, [[Ba'adra]], [[Lalish]], Hahad etc.) and also parts of the [[Al-Hamdaniya District]] ([[Bashiqa]] and [[Bahzani]]) and [[Tel Keppe District]] ([[Khatarah|Hatarah]],<ref>{{cite book|last1=Università di Torino. Facoltà di lettere e filosofia|last2=Centro ricerche archeologiche e scavi di Torino per il Medio Oriente e l'Asia (Italy)|last3=Centro scavi di Torino per il medio oriente e l'Asia|title=Mesopotamia, Volume 32|date=1997|publisher=Giappichelli|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=1KltAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Hatarah%22}}</ref> [[Bozan, Iraq|Bozan]] etc.) in the [[Nineveh Governorate]] in northern [[Iraq]].


== Recent history of Ezidkhan and formation ==
== Historical references ==
The term ''Ezidkhan'' is also often found in the sacred texts of the Yezidi. An example of this is the Qesîda Şerfedîn (The message of Sherfedin):<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ezidileaks.blogspot.de/2015/04/sheikh-sherfedin-und-seine.html|title=ÊzîdîLeaks: Sheikh Sherfedin und seine militärischen Aktivitäten|publisher=|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ezipedia.de/qesida-serfedin-die-botschaft-serfedins/|title=Qesîda Şerfedîn – Die Botschaft Şerfedîns|publisher=|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>
* Ciwabê bidne Êzîdxanê (Proclaims the message in the Land of the Yezidis)
* Bila qayîmkin Îmanê (They should consolidate and defend their faith)
* Şerfedîn mîr e li dîwanê (Sherfedin is the prince in residence)


=== ISIL massacre and isolation of Yezidi forces on Sinjar mountain (June until October 2014) ===
== Notable historical locations ==
By the end of June 2014, the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL) declared itself a [[caliphate]] in areas of Syria and [[Iraq]] and the next month they took control of significant territories in northern Iraq
The village of [[Lalish]], containing the holiest temple complex in [[Yezidism]], is located within the Yezidi settlements in what is now northern Iraq. Lalish is currently under the jurisdiction of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).


While during July 2014 the Iraqi federal military forces fled from the advancing ISIL troops in Sinjar, the Iraqi Kurdish regional government's [[Peshmerga]] fighters briefly filled the vacuum and entered the Sinjar region.<ref name=Reut9-8>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/09/us-iraq-security-idUSKBN0G808J20140809|title=Obama says tackling Iraq’s insurgency will take time |work=Reuters|date=9 August 2014|accessdate=15 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=arab2-8-14>{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/08/02/Army-Jihadists-kill-30-in-fighting-south-of-Baghdad-.html|title=Jihadists kill dozens as Iraq fighting rages|date=2 August 2014|publisher=English.alarabiya.net|accessdate=15 March 2015}}</ref>
== Modern usage ==
Due to the formation of dedicated Yezidi Peshmerga in response to the advance of the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]], the term 'Ezidkhan' has experienced greater usage. In October 2015 the Yekîneyên Parastina Jin ê Şengalê or '''YPJ-Sinjar''' (Women's Defense Units of Sinjar) changed its name to Yekinêyen Jinên Êzidxan or '''YJÊ''' ([[Êzidxan Women's Units|Ezidkhan Women's Units]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anfenglish.com/women/ypj-shengal-changes-its-name-to-yje|title=ANF - Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê|publisher=|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> And in November 2015 the Hêza Parastina Şingal or '''HPŞ''' (Protection Force of Sinjar) changed its name to Hêza Parastina Êzîdxanê or '''HPÊ''' ([[Êzîdxan Protection Force|Protection Force of Ezidkhan]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ezidipress.com/blog/hps-benennt-sich-in-hpe-um-heza-parastina-ezidxan/|title=HPŞ benennt sich in HPÊ um: Hêza Parastina Êzîdxan – ÊzîdîPress|publisher=|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>


During August 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant launched their next offensive in Northern Iraq and pushed further in to the sinjar region and took Sinjar town from Peshmerga forces that entered the city the previous month.
== Declaration of "democratic autonomy" ==
Some 50,000 [[Yazidis]] fled on to and remained on the [[Sinjar Mountains]].<ref name="Background">{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/early-success-kurds-sinjar|title=An Early Success for the Kurds in Sinjar|work=The New Yorker|accessdate=19 December 2014}}</ref>
On 20 August 2017 the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) formally declared "democratic autonomy" of the region. According to ''Basnews'' the mayor of [[Sinjar]] "called PKK’s move an external project, reiterating that the presence of PKK in Sinjar is illegal and a violation of the sovereignty of the region. PKK-affiliated groups in Sinjar do not represent the Kurdish Yezidis and their actions do not serve the interests of Yezidis, he said."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/dc6ea92a-a066-4231-9443-c58797465a14|title=PKK declares so-called ‘autonomy’ in Peshmerga-controlled Shingal|first=|last=Kurdistan24|website=Kurdistan24.net|access-date=6 January 2018}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/373128|title=PKK Establishes Ezidkhan Self-Governance Council in Sinjar - basnews|first=Basnews|last=English|website=Basnews.com|access-date=6 January 2018}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.turktime.com/haber/demokratik-ozerklik-ilan-edildi/444813|title=Demokratik Özerklik ilan edildi – Güncel Haberler, Son Dakika Haberleri, Turktime Haber Portalı|website=www.Turktime.com|access-date=6 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gazetekarinca.com/2017/08/sengalde-demokratik-ozerklik-ilan-edildi/|title=Şengal’de demokratik özerklik ilan edildi — Gazete Karınca|date=20 August 2017|website=GazeteKarinca.com|access-date=6 January 2018}}</ref>


By the end of August 2014, the majority of those 50,000 Yazidis had left the mountains, although several thousands including some armed Yezidi forces stayed there.
ISIL held onto [[Sinjar]] city and the southern entrance of the [[Sinjar Mountains]].

On 21 October 2014, as Peshmerga forced further retreated from the area, ISIL also seized most of the terrain north of the mountains, thereby largely cutting the area's escape route from the Sinjar mountain toward Kurdish areas in Iraq and Syria.
Most of the Yazidis' own militias withdrew from the plains on to the heights of isolated Sinjar Mountains and Syria, where the number of Yazidi civilian refugees was rising.<ref name="agat21-10-14">{{cite web|url=http://www.agathocledesyracuse.com/archives/115|title=Iraq Sinjar battle (21 Oct 2014) |work=Agathocle de Syracuse|date=21 October 2014| accessdate=24 March 2015}}</ref>

The capture of most of the Sinjar area led to the '''[[Sinjar massacre]]''' and the besieging of thousands of Yezidi on the Sinjar mountains by ISIL.

=== Establishment of autonomous Yezidi control over west-Sinjar (November 2014 until 2017)===
During and previous to the [[December 2014 Sinjar offensive]], the Syrian YPG and local Yezidi forces created and safeguarded a corridor from Syria southeastwards to the Sinjar mountains with the support of US airstrikes.
Several local Yezidi groups established thereby direct control over the western parts of the Sinjar region, without any Peshmerga involvement.
Most notably the [[Sinjar Resistance Units|Sinjar Resistance Units (YBŞ)]], the [[Êzîdxan Women's Units]] (YJÊ) and the formerly Peshmerga-aligned [[Êzîdxan Protection Force|Êzîdxan Protection Force (HPÊ)]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Independent Yezidi units join Shingal alliance |url=http://ezidipress.com/en/independent-yezidi-units-join-shingal-alliance/ |work=Êzîdî Press |date=31 October 2015 |accessdate=13 November 2015}}</ref> now all part of the [[Sinjar Alliance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ezidipress.com/en/yezidi-forces-form-alliance-against-is/|title=Yezidi forces form alliance against IS|work=Ezidipress|date=31 October 2015}}</ref>

The Iraqi Kurdistans Peshmerga with the help of the formerly Peshmerga-aligned [[Êzîdxan Protection Force|Êzîdxan Protection Force (HPÊ)]] and the support of US airstrikes created a corridor from the Iraqi Kurdistan region toward the eastern end of the Sinjar mountains, thereby re-establishing control over the eastern parts of the Sinjar region.

The local Yezidi groups with the support of the Syrian-Kurdish YPG and [[Al-Sanadid Forces]] (from the Arabic [[Shammar]] tribe) in Êmdiban kept the region under local autonomous control and established local councils blocking both KDP-Peshmerga and the Kurdish regional government as Iraqi federal PMU from entering the western Sinjar-area.

=== Declaration of democratic autonomy (July 2017 to present) ===
In 2017 the relations with neighboring PDK-led Kurdish regional government which controls east-Sinjar further worsened.
At the same time the geo-strategical position of West-Sinjar strengthen as a result of support by the Iraqi federal PMU forces that recently captured the southern part of sinjar District from Daesh, reopening again a direct land-route between West-Sinjar and Iraqi federal administered cities like Baghdad and Mosul.

Wile West-Sinjar at that time remained under local Yezidi control for already more than 2,5 years, these changes resulted in new steps taken to further formalize de facto separate control status of west-Sinjar.

In a proclamation published on 25 July 2017, Baba Sheikh Khurto Hajji Ismail, the head of the Supreme Spiritual Council of Ezidikhan and the Yezidi faith declaring the establishment of a provisional Yazidi government. He calls for Yazidis who were displaced by the ISIL genocide to return to their homelands.<ref name="YezidiPost"/><ref name="aina_announment"/>

The proclamation outlines the structure of the provisional government and lists nine goals:
# Actively promote Yezidi immigration and the return of the Yezidi Diaspora;
# Foster the economic, social and political prosperity and stability of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants;
# Implement a charter and Constitution protecting individual and community freedom, justice and peace as envisaged in the traditions of Ezidikhan;
# Advance and establish customary and judicial laws to ensure equality of social, economic and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, creed, ethnic identity or sex or political affiliations;
# Guarantee to the citizens of Ezidikhan freedom of press, religion, conscience, language, education, legal rights and culture;
# Affirm that Treaties concluded by the Executive Administration and approved by the Governing Council shall be the law of the land;
# Safeguard any nation that wishes to come under the protection of Ezidikhan in a manner consistent with an agreed bi-lateral treaty;
# Safeguard the Holy Places and sacred objects of all religions; and
# Be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
The proclamation was signed by five Yazidi leaders.

On 20 August 2017 also the Ezidixan People’s Council (EPC) formalized the since 2015 de facto separate control status of the western sinjar region, by declaring autonomy in a public statement.<ref name="gazetekarinca.com">http://gazetekarinca.com/2017/08/sengalde-demokratik-ozerklik-ilan-edildi/</ref><ref name="anfturkce.net">https://anfturkce.net/toplum-ekolojI/Sengal-de-demokratik-oezerklik-ilan-edildi-94964</ref><ref name="yurtgazetesi.com.tr">http://www.yurtgazetesi.com.tr/dunya/sengal-de-demokratik-ozerklik-ilan-edildi-h44279.html</ref>

== Reactions and opposition ==
In a reaction in an article on the KDP-news outlet ''Basnews'' the KDP-appointed acting mayor of [[Sinjar]]-city called the move "an external project".
Characterizing the groups of the Sinjar Alliance (YBŞ, YJÊ, and HPÊ) as PKK affiliates, he stated:
"The presence of PKK in Sinjar is illegal and a violation of the sovereignty of the region. PKK-affiliated groups in Sinjar do not represent the Kurdish Yezidis and their actions do not serve the interests of Yezidis."<ref name="Basnews">{{cite news|title=PKK Establishes Ezidkhan Self-Governance Council in Sinjar|url=http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/373128|accessdate=5 September 2017|publisher=Basnews|date=23 Aug 2017}}</ref><ref>http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/dc6ea92a-a066-4231-9443-c58797465a14</ref><ref>http://www.turktime.com/haber/demokratik-ozerklik-ilan-edildi/444813</ref>

== Notable historical locations ==
The village of [[Lalish]], containing the holiest temple complex in [[Yezidism]], is located within the Yezidi settlements in what is now northern Iraq. Lalish is currently under the jurisdiction of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).{{verification needed|date=September 2017}}
== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[Yazidi Movement for Reform and Progress]]
* [[Nineveh Province]]
* [[Genocide of Yazidis by ISIL]]
*[[Genocide of Yazidis by ISIL]]
* [[Sinjar massacre]]
*[[Sinjar massacre]]
* [[Sinjar Alliance]]
*[[December 2014 Sinjar offensive]]
*[[Sinjar Alliance]]
* [[Kurdification]] and [[Arabization]]
* [[Yazidi language]]
*[[Yazidis in Armenia]]
* [[Assyrian homeland]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Yazidi]]
[[Category:Yazidi]]
[[Category:Upper Mesopotamia]]
[[Category:Yazidis in Iraq]]

Revision as of 08:06, 12 February 2018

Ezidkhan
Template:Lang-kmr, Template:Lang-ar
Flag of Ezidkhan or West-Sinjar
Flag
StatusDe facto autonomous region within Iraq
Largest citySinjar
Official languages
Government
Autonomous region
• Autonomous control established
Between August and December 2014
• Autonomy announced[1][2]
25 July 2017
• Ezidixan People’s Council declared autonomy[3][4][5]
20 August 2017
CurrencySyrian pound and Iraqi Dinar (SYP and IQD)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
Drives onright

Ezidkhan (Template:Lang-kmr, Template:IPA-kmr; Template:Lang-ar) is an unrecognised de facto autonomous area established and controlled by the Protection Force of Ezidkhan in the Iraqi Sinjar region.[6][7][8][9][10] Ezidkhan officially means the „land of the Yazidis“.[11][12]

Geography

The present-day de facto autonomous area of Ezidkhan only encompasses the western part of Sinjar district.

This includes the town of Khana Sor, the area surrounding the villages of Emdîban, Şikenî, Bare, Bahrava, Meçnunî, Sewra, Heyalê, Hassina, Kebarê, Karsi, Kolkan, Haliqiyya, Sardeshti camps, Dare Karsi, Faydi Talani, Mshirfah, Bir Qasim, Hasso Beg, El Sahal, Bir Jari, Zaku, El Juli, Khirbet Arnouki, Tal Mushrif, Al Faw, Hamsaka, Çefriyê and most of the Sinjar mountains.

Outside this autonomous area, the Ezidixan People’s Council and the Sinjar alliance groups have a some noteworthy but diffuse presence and influence over some area's of Sinjar city and some Yezidi villages inside of east and south Sinjar.[verification needed]

After Peshmerga retreat from the eastern Sinjar region on 17 Oktober 2017 the autonomous Ezidkhan-region took over full control of at least the towns of Sinune, Dugurî, Serefin and Jidalê from the Kurdistan Regional Government.

File:Ezidkhan Autonomy.jpg
Ezidkhan within northern Iraq

The historical Ezidkhan area includes the entire Sinjar District (Sinjar town, Khana Sor, Sinune, Zorava, Gohbal, Borek, Dohula, Dugure, Siba Sheikh Khidir, Til Ezer, Kocho etc.) and Shekhan District (Shekhan town, Ba'adra, Lalish, Hahad etc.) and also parts of the Al-Hamdaniya District (Bashiqa and Bahzani) and Tel Keppe District (Hatarah,[13] Bozan etc.) in the Nineveh Governorate in northern Iraq.[verification needed]

Etymology, historical references and modern day reappearance

The term Ezidkhan is also often found in the sacred texts of the Yezidi. An example of this is the Qesîda Şerfedîn (The message of Sherfedin):[14][15]

  • Ciwabê bidne Êzîdxanê (Proclaims the message in the Land of the Yezidis)
  • Bila qayîmkin Îmanê (They should consolidate and defend their faith)
  • Şerfedîn mîr e li dîwanê (Sherfedin is the prince in residence)

Due to the formation of dedicated Yezidi defensive groups in response to the advance of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the term 'Ezidkhan' stated experienced greater usage. In October 2015 the Yekîneyên Parastina Jin ê Şengalê (or YPJ-Sinjar, ‘Women’s Defense Units of Sinjar’) changed its name to Yekinêyen Jinên Êzidxan (or YJÊ, ‘Ezidkhan Women’s Units’).[16] And in November 2015 the Hêza Parastina Şingal (or HPŞ, ‘Protection Force of Sinjar’) changed its name to Hêza Parastina Êzîdxanê (or HPÊ, ‘Protection Force of Ezidkhan’).[17]

Governance and security

Official flag of the Protection Force of Ezidkhan

The governance of the present-day de facto autonomous region of Ezidixan in West Sinjar is conducted by the Ezidixan People’s Council (EPC).[1][2]

The internal security of the area is conducted by the Asayîşa Êzîdxanê-police force led by Hussein Erzurum.[18]

The military security of the area is conducted by the groups of the Sinjar Alliance (Sinjar Resistance Units (YBŞ), the Êzîdxan Women's Units (YJÊ), the formerly Peshmerga-aligned Êzîdxan Protection Force (HPÊ)) and Arab Al-Sanadid Forces in the Êmdiban area of west Sinjar with the support of the Syrian YPG.

Recent history of Ezidkhan and formation

ISIL massacre and isolation of Yezidi forces on Sinjar mountain (June until October 2014)

By the end of June 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) declared itself a caliphate in areas of Syria and Iraq and the next month they took control of significant territories in northern Iraq

While during July 2014 the Iraqi federal military forces fled from the advancing ISIL troops in Sinjar, the Iraqi Kurdish regional government's Peshmerga fighters briefly filled the vacuum and entered the Sinjar region.[19][20]

During August 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant launched their next offensive in Northern Iraq and pushed further in to the sinjar region and took Sinjar town from Peshmerga forces that entered the city the previous month. Some 50,000 Yazidis fled on to and remained on the Sinjar Mountains.[21]

By the end of August 2014, the majority of those 50,000 Yazidis had left the mountains, although several thousands including some armed Yezidi forces stayed there. ISIL held onto Sinjar city and the southern entrance of the Sinjar Mountains.

On 21 October 2014, as Peshmerga forced further retreated from the area, ISIL also seized most of the terrain north of the mountains, thereby largely cutting the area's escape route from the Sinjar mountain toward Kurdish areas in Iraq and Syria. Most of the Yazidis' own militias withdrew from the plains on to the heights of isolated Sinjar Mountains and Syria, where the number of Yazidi civilian refugees was rising.[22]

The capture of most of the Sinjar area led to the Sinjar massacre and the besieging of thousands of Yezidi on the Sinjar mountains by ISIL.

Establishment of autonomous Yezidi control over west-Sinjar (November 2014 until 2017)

During and previous to the December 2014 Sinjar offensive, the Syrian YPG and local Yezidi forces created and safeguarded a corridor from Syria southeastwards to the Sinjar mountains with the support of US airstrikes. Several local Yezidi groups established thereby direct control over the western parts of the Sinjar region, without any Peshmerga involvement. Most notably the Sinjar Resistance Units (YBŞ), the Êzîdxan Women's Units (YJÊ) and the formerly Peshmerga-aligned Êzîdxan Protection Force (HPÊ)[23] now all part of the Sinjar Alliance.[24]

The Iraqi Kurdistans Peshmerga with the help of the formerly Peshmerga-aligned Êzîdxan Protection Force (HPÊ) and the support of US airstrikes created a corridor from the Iraqi Kurdistan region toward the eastern end of the Sinjar mountains, thereby re-establishing control over the eastern parts of the Sinjar region.

The local Yezidi groups with the support of the Syrian-Kurdish YPG and Al-Sanadid Forces (from the Arabic Shammar tribe) in Êmdiban kept the region under local autonomous control and established local councils blocking both KDP-Peshmerga and the Kurdish regional government as Iraqi federal PMU from entering the western Sinjar-area.

Declaration of democratic autonomy (July 2017 to present)

In 2017 the relations with neighboring PDK-led Kurdish regional government which controls east-Sinjar further worsened. At the same time the geo-strategical position of West-Sinjar strengthen as a result of support by the Iraqi federal PMU forces that recently captured the southern part of sinjar District from Daesh, reopening again a direct land-route between West-Sinjar and Iraqi federal administered cities like Baghdad and Mosul.

Wile West-Sinjar at that time remained under local Yezidi control for already more than 2,5 years, these changes resulted in new steps taken to further formalize de facto separate control status of west-Sinjar.

In a proclamation published on 25 July 2017, Baba Sheikh Khurto Hajji Ismail, the head of the Supreme Spiritual Council of Ezidikhan and the Yezidi faith declaring the establishment of a provisional Yazidi government. He calls for Yazidis who were displaced by the ISIL genocide to return to their homelands.[1][2]

The proclamation outlines the structure of the provisional government and lists nine goals:

  1. Actively promote Yezidi immigration and the return of the Yezidi Diaspora;
  2. Foster the economic, social and political prosperity and stability of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants;
  3. Implement a charter and Constitution protecting individual and community freedom, justice and peace as envisaged in the traditions of Ezidikhan;
  4. Advance and establish customary and judicial laws to ensure equality of social, economic and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, creed, ethnic identity or sex or political affiliations;
  5. Guarantee to the citizens of Ezidikhan freedom of press, religion, conscience, language, education, legal rights and culture;
  6. Affirm that Treaties concluded by the Executive Administration and approved by the Governing Council shall be the law of the land;
  7. Safeguard any nation that wishes to come under the protection of Ezidikhan in a manner consistent with an agreed bi-lateral treaty;
  8. Safeguard the Holy Places and sacred objects of all religions; and
  9. Be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

The proclamation was signed by five Yazidi leaders.

On 20 August 2017 also the Ezidixan People’s Council (EPC) formalized the since 2015 de facto separate control status of the western sinjar region, by declaring autonomy in a public statement.[3][4][5]

Reactions and opposition

In a reaction in an article on the KDP-news outlet Basnews the KDP-appointed acting mayor of Sinjar-city called the move "an external project". Characterizing the groups of the Sinjar Alliance (YBŞ, YJÊ, and HPÊ) as PKK affiliates, he stated: "The presence of PKK in Sinjar is illegal and a violation of the sovereignty of the region. PKK-affiliated groups in Sinjar do not represent the Kurdish Yezidis and their actions do not serve the interests of Yezidis."[10][25][26]

Notable historical locations

The village of Lalish, containing the holiest temple complex in Yezidism, is located within the Yezidi settlements in what is now northern Iraq. Lalish is currently under the jurisdiction of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).[verification needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Baba Sheikh declares formation of Yezidi nation "Ezdixan" and bless formation of cabinet council". Yezidi Post. Yezidi Post. 2017-07-25. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Yazidis Proclaim the Establishment of a Provisional Government". Assyrian International News Agency. 2017-07-25. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  3. ^ a b http://gazetekarinca.com/2017/08/sengalde-demokratik-ozerklik-ilan-edildi/
  4. ^ a b https://anfturkce.net/toplum-ekolojI/Sengal-de-demokratik-oezerklik-ilan-edildi-94964
  5. ^ a b http://www.yurtgazetesi.com.tr/dunya/sengal-de-demokratik-ozerklik-ilan-edildi-h44279.html
  6. ^ "1,300 Yezidi men and women receiving military training to defend Shingal". www.rudaw.net. 2016-04-09. Retrieved 2018-01-01. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  7. ^ "Baba Sheikh: "Kurdish referendum is not for Yezidis" – Ezidikhan Public Information Bureau". www.ezidikhan.net. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  8. ^ "Yazidis Proclaim the Establishment of a Provisional Government". www.aina.org. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  9. ^ "Yazidis Begin Reconstruction Talks in Baghdad". www.aina.org. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  10. ^ a b "PKK Establishes Ezidkhan Self-Governance Council in Sinjar". Basnews. 23 Aug 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  11. ^ "Êzîdxan? Eziden denken über Selbstbestimmung". HuffPost Deutschland (in German). 2016-07-08. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  12. ^ Turgut, Lokman (2011-01-12). Mündliche Literatur der Kurden in den Regionen Botan und Hekarî (in German). Logos Verlag Berlin GmbH. ISBN 9783832527273.
  13. ^ Università di Torino. Facoltà di lettere e filosofia; Centro ricerche archeologiche e scavi di Torino per il Medio Oriente e l'Asia (Italy); Centro scavi di Torino per il medio oriente e l'Asia (1997). Mesopotamia, Volume 32. Giappichelli.
  14. ^ "ÊzîdîLeaks: Sheikh Sherfedin und seine militärischen Aktivitäten". Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  15. ^ "Qesîda Şerfedîn – Die Botschaft Şerfedîns". Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  16. ^ "ANF - Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê". Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  17. ^ "HPŞ benennt sich in HPÊ um: Hêza Parastina Êzîdxan – ÊzîdîPress". Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  18. ^ "Asayîşa Êzdîxanê hat avakirin". ANHA. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016. (In Northern Kurdish language)
  19. ^ "Obama says tackling Iraq's insurgency will take time". Reuters. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  20. ^ "Jihadists kill dozens as Iraq fighting rages". English.alarabiya.net. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  21. ^ "An Early Success for the Kurds in Sinjar". The New Yorker. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  22. ^ "Iraq Sinjar battle (21 Oct 2014)". Agathocle de Syracuse. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  23. ^ "Independent Yezidi units join Shingal alliance". Êzîdî Press. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  24. ^ "Yezidi forces form alliance against IS". Ezidipress. 31 October 2015.
  25. ^ http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/dc6ea92a-a066-4231-9443-c58797465a14
  26. ^ http://www.turktime.com/haber/demokratik-ozerklik-ilan-edildi/444813
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