Inter-Yazidi and Sunni-Shabak Tensions and Conflicts in Bashiqa, Bahzani, and Fadhiliya, Nineveh – Iraq

This study explores the dynamics of intercommunal tensions and conflicts between Yazidis and Sunni Shabak in the subdistricts of Bashiqa, Bahzani, and Fadhiliya in Nineveh governorate. Drawing on qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions, the research uncovers deep-rooted grievances linked to the post-ISIS recovery period, demographic shifts, competition over land and resources, and political marginalisation.

While the Yazidi community continues to face trauma from the 2014 genocide and displacement, Sunni Shabak communities have encountered their own set of challenges in return and reintegration, often leading to perceptions of uneven access to services and political representation. These intersecting grievances have manifested in social fragmentation, mistrust, and sporadic local-level disputes, particularly around land ownership, employment opportunities, and administrative representation.

The study highlights the impact of weak local governance structures, inadequate dispute resolution mechanisms, and the absence of inclusive reconciliation initiatives. It calls for a multi-layered approach to peacebuilding—centred on trust-building, inclusive governance, and locally led dialogue—to prevent the further entrenchment of conflict narratives and to promote sustainable coexistence.