At a Glance

• Iraqi military spokesperson al-Numan announced that advanced air defense units will soon arrive.

• The integration process of YBŞ and YJŞ members into Iraqi forces is strictly monitored and supervised by the Prime Minister's office.

The Iraqi military spokesperson stated that advanced air defense units will soon arrive, stressing that the process of YBŞ-YJŞ members joining Iraqi forces was carried out under the monitoring and supervision of the Prime Minister's office.

Key Statements and Focus Area

• Military spokesperson Sabah al-Numan told Channel8 that, “Today truly represents a historic moment, with the integration of the Shingal Protection Units and the Women's Protection Units into the federal security forces, implementing the curriculum established by the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”

• Al-Numan confirmed that approximately 4,000 personnel will be joined into the Iraqi security forces.

• He emphasized that the arrival of the defense system in Iraq supports the stability of the Kurdistan Region.

Speaking to Channel8 during today's ceremony marking the formal integration of the YBŞ forces into the Iraqi security forces, the spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces stated that a dedicated committee is handling the integration process.

He highlighted that the committee establishes the frameworks and guidelines to incorporate them into the Iraqi security units.

Regarding the upcoming air defense units for Iraq, the spokesperson emphasized that the units “will be deployed according to the vision and strategy of the Air Defense Command to ensure Iraqi air sovereignty and safety.”

FYI

For years, Iraq's ability to independently monitor and defend its airspace has been severely constrained, relying heavily on U.S.-led Coalition assets. 

However, with the regional security environment shifting and the Coalition mission drawing to a close, Baghdad has fast-tracked a major overhaul of its national air defense capabilities 

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi recently directed the Ministry of Defense to aggressively compress a planned six-year air defense modernization timeline into just three years 

Formed out of desperate necessity in 2014, the Shingal Resistance Units (YBŞ) and Sinjar Women’s Units (YJŞ) were established by local volunteers who took up arms to defend civilians trapped on Mount Shingal when ISIS launched a horrific genocide against the Yazidi people.

Today’s  ceremony officially marked the end of the group's independent military status. 

Hadi Elias, spokesperson for the YBŞ, informed Channel8 earlier today that a total of 4,200 YBŞ members are transitioning into the Iraqi security forces, beginning with an initial cohort of 2,500 fighters.

In an official statement addressing the integration decision, the YBŞ announced an agreement with the Iraqi Federal Government to end the independent military status of its 4,165 male and female fighters, integrating them into the federal security system and placing weapons under state supervision to lay "the foundation of a new phase of national partnership and shared responsibility." 

Group representatives emphasized that this decision stems from their "belief in the integrity and sovereignty of Iraqi territory" and a deep commitment to ensuring long-term security and stability across the Sinjar region. 

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