WOMEN’S organisations took to the streets of Slemani in Iraqi Kurdistan yesterday as the autonomous region teetered on the brink of a deadly intra-Kurdish war. 

They issued a call for solidarity with the Yezidi community in Shengal, scene of a 2014 massacre at the hands of Isis. 

At least 5,000 men and boys were massacred by the jihadists while thousands of women were kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery. More than 3,000 are still missing. 

The city’s women have been angered by a so-called security deal stitched up behind the backs of the people of Shengal between the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Democratic Party. 

Critics warn that it is part of regional plans to crush the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). 

Kazhal Abdul-Qidar, spokeswoman for the United Women Against Violence Against Women campaign, said: “We support the women of Shengal and we are backing all the forces as they defend their lands and their freedom.”

Thousands of Peshmerga forces associated with the Barzani-led KDP have recently mobilised to the Qandil mountains, where the PKK has bases. 

Earlier this week former KRG President and leader of the KDP dangerously inflamed the situation as he accused the PKK of being an invading force and demanded they leave the border region. 

Both the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and PKK has urged the KDP to reel back from their hostilities to prevent a deadly intra-Kurdish war. 

The KDP is accused of working with the Turkish state and the National Intelligence Organisation to crush the Kurdish freedom movement.