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PKK Kidnaps Six Girls in Sinjar, Four Released as Negotiations Continue

PKK Kidnaps Six Girls in Sinjar, Four Released as Negotiations Continue

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has kidnapped six girls from the village of Umm Ziban in the Sinjar district, according to a security source. As of Thursday, four of the girls have been released, while efforts continue to secure the return of the remaining two.

The girls, aged between 13 and 15, went missing on May 29, prompting local tribal leaders to pressure security forces to locate them. Investigations revealed that the PKK was responsible for the abductions.

A security source confirmed that negotiations with the PKK are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the two girls still held captive.

Reports indicate that the PKK operates a women's council in Sinjar, where they recruit women, offering monetary incentives ranging from $100 to $200. This incident highlights the complex and volatile security situation in Sinjar, where various armed groups vie for influence.

The abductions occurred amidst ongoing tensions in the region. Despite a UN-brokered agreement between Erbil and Baghdad aimed at normalizing the situation in the Yezidi-majority area, the PKK and pro-Iran Hashd al-Shaabi militias maintain a presence. The agreement mandates the withdrawal of all armed groups to restore stability, a goal that remains elusive as conflicts and power struggles persist.

Local tribal leaders and the broader community continue to urge for increased security and effective enforcement of the UN-brokered agreement to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of the residents in Sinjar.

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