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

This groundbreaking study, “Inter Yazidi and Sunni-Shabak Tensions and Conflicts in Bashiqa, Bahzani, and Fadhiliya,” offers an in-depth exploration of the historical and contemporary dynamics between two communities in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains. Based on ten months of rigorous fieldwork—including surveys, focus groups, and interviews—this research investigates how past coexistence was disrupted by the 2014 ISIS invasion and how political marginalisation, property disputes, security fragmentation, and climate change continue to shape intercommunal relations.

Through a conflict-sensitive and community-based lens, the study reveals both the challenges and opportunities for reconciliation. It highlights lived experiences, local grievances, and entry points for peacebuilding, including truth-telling initiatives, joint economic ventures, and climate cooperation.

Produced by the Sustainable Peace Foundation (SPF) in partnership with Tomooh Organisation for Development and Naseej Organisation for Relief and Development, and supported under the EU-funded Tatweer II programme, the research provides a roadmap for restoring trust and promoting sustainable peace in one of Iraq’s most diverse and sensitive regions.