The possibilities of a Turkish operation in Sinjar
January 28, 2021, 10:41 am

The possibilities of a Turkish operation in Sinjar

Azad Nebi

In the effect of the global coalition war against the Islamic State (ISIS), Turkey has been obsessively anxious over the role of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Iraq and Syria against ISIS.

Turkey believes the PKK participation in fighting radical organizations will promote them as a counter-terrorism brand. Given this a fact, Turkey itself has been in an ongoing long war with PKK in its own territories as well as in rugged terrains of the Qandil mountains in Iraqi Kurdistan near the Turkish border.

When ISIS militants overran large swathes of Iraqi territories in 2014, including Yazidi predominantly-held areas, Sinjar (also known as Shingal), PKK has played a pivotal role in stopping the ISIS advance, saving thousands of lives strapped on mounts, and thereafter positioning in the mountainous area. The transformation of Sinjar mountains into another Qandil with building deeply fortified military facilities is therefore a substantial concern in the eyes of Turkey.

From this perspective, Turkish military wants relentlessly to carry out a huge military operation in Sinjar, cut off PKK human resource and supply chains to Kurdish held territories in Syria. But unlike other areas on its border, it has no overland access to Sinjar to control the ground. Unless it requests an official legitimate permission from the Iraqi authorities and cooperates with the Kurdistan Regional Government on the ground. So far it is not clear, if Baghdad is willing to allow such an operation to happen.

In a bid of compromising the current conflict in Sinjar, KRG and the Iraqi governments signed an agreement, in last October, that stipulates alien armed groups to leave the area and hand over its security to local police forces. Despite the agreement has been endorsed by the United States, UN mission to Iraq and Turkey, the PKK affiliated forces are yet to withdraw. The agreement apparently aimed to curtail the rise of PKK in the region in a cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil with support of Turkey.

Baghdad has experienced tense relations with Turkey over its military activities and periodically constant airstrikes as well as the violations of Iraqi sovereignty, Turkey takes up different approaches to weaken PKK in Iraq. It woos Iraqi actors in bargaining via boosting bilateral trade exchanging and economic relations, resolving Tigris water supply to Iraq issues, contributing in reconstruction support, and facilitating Turkish companies’ investment. These issues were discussed amid Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Kadhmi visit to Ankara late last year. Conversely, Turkey hopes the current government will listen to its concerns over the PKK presence. Anyway, the Turkish president has recently warned Turkey is ready to carry out a military operation jointly with Iraqi forces in Sinjar without disclosing a date. While Turkey is trying to convince Baghdad government to eliminate PKK in Sinjar, there are other Iraqi parties are against the Turkish military presence in Iraq.

Among them the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) which may oppose such Turkish efforts. PMF has also for years built good relations with PKK-affiliated Shingal Protection Units (YPS) and even paying their salaries. It is nevertheless unclear what kind of steps the Iraqi PM Al-Kadhmi will take amidst the Turkish pressure, but the pro-PMF factions in the Iraqi parliament will likely remain reluctant towards any Turkish military interference.

On the other hand, Turkey also aims to counter the PKK through its relations with the KRG, and especially the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party, which is in a historical rivalry with the PKK. The KRG has no closer ally than Turkey. They share common political values, trade, economic ties. Turkey already has a large number of military bases in the Kurdistan Region. The KDP has earlier called on the PKK to take its fight to Turkey to avoid jeopardizing the Kurdistan security, and recent Peshmerga reinforcements and confrontations could lead to Kurdish infighting between the both forces. In the past, both fought each other during the Kurdish civil war in the 1990s

However, despite of the KDP’s rivalry with the PKK, it is unlikely that the Peshmerga forces will directly join a Turkish fight against the PKK in Sinjar since it would hurt its popular support among Kurds. Additionally, the new US administration will most likely not be interested in a new war in Sinjar that will destabilize the area and could displace thousands of civilians. The US will prefer PKK-affiliated groups to leave Sinjar voluntarily.

Apart from periodic airstrikes against PKK hideouts and land operations in the border areas of northern Iraq, it seems Turkey will continue to pressure Baghdad and KRG to take steps against the PKK. Turkey according to rumours also wants Baghdad and KRG to allow them to open more military bases in Duhok and near Sinjar. However, a Turkish land operation in Sinjar in the foreseeable future seems unlikely although cannot be ruled out completely

BY: Azad Nebi

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.