Sihela-Zummar road re-opens amid improving Erbil-Baghdad relations
ERBIL, Kurdistan – After more than a year-and-a-half closure due to clashes between Peshmerga and Iraqi forces largely supported by Iran-backed militias and paramilitias, a critical road south of Lake Dukan road was re-opened on Tuesday, with officials saying it will be critical for the return of internally-displaced persons (IDPs).
“As you can see, the Zummar-Sihela road has been re-opened,” Gen. Hashim Sitayi, the deputy commander of the Peshmerga’s Western Tigris Front, told reporters.
The road was opened in the presence of Peshmerga forces and the 15th Division of the Iraqi Army, and local officials. Abdulhussein Khattib, the deputy commander of Iraqi Army’s Division 15, said they want IDPs to return.
“The main goal of this is the return of the Arab IDPs to the Arab villages and the Kurdish IDPs to the Kurdish villages and the return of all the components of the Iraqi people,” added Khattib.
There will be two checkpoints on the road. A Peshmerga one and a joint Iraqi Army-Iraq Federal Police one, Khattib said.
It is the most direct route between Zummar south of Lake Dukan and Sihela near the border with Syria and southern Duhok province.
Sitayi explained that the road was opened after Masoud Barzani, the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), had visited the area and had been asked by local Kurds and Arabs for the road to be re-opened. Last Saturday, Iraqi commander Khatteb visited the front and after hours of negotiations, both sides agreed for the road to re-open the road, revealed Sitayi.
For two weeks beginning on October 16, 2017, Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi Army clashed in many disputed areas, including Sihela. The Iraqi offensive aimed to take control of the Fishkhabur border crossing with Syria and the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing with Turkey — both under the control of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
The battles between Shingal and Nineveh culminated with the Peshmerga halting the Iraqi advance with casualties on both sides. Former Kurdistan Region President Barzani commended the “brave forces” who “paid the ultimate sacrifice” in defense of Kurdistan on the battle’s one-year anniversary.
“Today marks the 1-year anniversary of the epic battles of Sahela and Mahmoudiya where the Peshmerga recorded a new chapter of resilience. Our heartfelt gratitude to those brave forces who participated and our salutes to the souls of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” he tweeted.
The re-opening can generally be seen as part of improving of relations between Baghdad and Erbil, especially since Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi took office.
Zummar Mayor Ahmed Jaafar Gargari told reporters that the closure of the road had created "difficulties" for the people.
"We have asked both the central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to facilitate movement for international humanitarian non-governmental organizations," added Gargari.
Haji Khalid, a local tribal leader, told reporters that the road is "very important" for locals to be able to travel, adding that the journey will be decreased decrease by 40-45 minutes.
"Most of the people of this area are farmers. Now it is time for the harvest," added Khalid.
“As you can see, the Zummar-Sihela road has been re-opened,” Gen. Hashim Sitayi, the deputy commander of the Peshmerga’s Western Tigris Front, told reporters.
The road was opened in the presence of Peshmerga forces and the 15th Division of the Iraqi Army, and local officials. Abdulhussein Khattib, the deputy commander of Iraqi Army’s Division 15, said they want IDPs to return.
“The main goal of this is the return of the Arab IDPs to the Arab villages and the Kurdish IDPs to the Kurdish villages and the return of all the components of the Iraqi people,” added Khattib.
There will be two checkpoints on the road. A Peshmerga one and a joint Iraqi Army-Iraq Federal Police one, Khattib said.
It is the most direct route between Zummar south of Lake Dukan and Sihela near the border with Syria and southern Duhok province.
Sitayi explained that the road was opened after Masoud Barzani, the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), had visited the area and had been asked by local Kurds and Arabs for the road to be re-opened. Last Saturday, Iraqi commander Khatteb visited the front and after hours of negotiations, both sides agreed for the road to re-open the road, revealed Sitayi.
For two weeks beginning on October 16, 2017, Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi Army clashed in many disputed areas, including Sihela. The Iraqi offensive aimed to take control of the Fishkhabur border crossing with Syria and the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing with Turkey — both under the control of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
The battles between Shingal and Nineveh culminated with the Peshmerga halting the Iraqi advance with casualties on both sides. Former Kurdistan Region President Barzani commended the “brave forces” who “paid the ultimate sacrifice” in defense of Kurdistan on the battle’s one-year anniversary.
“Today marks the 1-year anniversary of the epic battles of Sahela and Mahmoudiya where the Peshmerga recorded a new chapter of resilience. Our heartfelt gratitude to those brave forces who participated and our salutes to the souls of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” he tweeted.
The re-opening can generally be seen as part of improving of relations between Baghdad and Erbil, especially since Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi took office.
Zummar Mayor Ahmed Jaafar Gargari told reporters that the closure of the road had created "difficulties" for the people.
"We have asked both the central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to facilitate movement for international humanitarian non-governmental organizations," added Gargari.
Haji Khalid, a local tribal leader, told reporters that the road is "very important" for locals to be able to travel, adding that the journey will be decreased decrease by 40-45 minutes.
"Most of the people of this area are farmers. Now it is time for the harvest," added Khalid.
This is the third major road to open following the events of October 2017, following the reopening of the Sihela-Rabia-Shingal and Kirkuk-Erbil roads.
More than 1.6 million Iraqis remain displaced, including 500,000 originating from Nineveh province. The Kurdistan Region continues to host 1.25 million displaced Iraqis and 273,543 refugees — primarily from Syria.