Iraqi lawmaker announces plans to elevate Shigur (Shengal / Sinjar) District to provincial status

SHIGUR, Iraq — In a move aimed at reshaping local governance in northwestern Iraq, Iraqi Member of Parliament Mahma Khalil Qassem Hassan announced that formal procedures to designate Shigur (Shengal / Sinjar) District as an independent province will soon commence. This initiative follows the recent approval of Halabja’s transformation into a province, which many view as a precedent for further decentralization and regional autonomy.

Khalil, the former Qaimqam, a kind of deputy governor, of Shigur, outlined an ambitious project currently in development within the Iraqi parliament. “Efforts are underway to begin formal procedures for converting Sinjar into a province,” Khalil stated, emphasizing that Shigur meets all necessary qualifications for provincial status. He highlighted the importance of federal government support in Baghdad to meet the longstanding demands of local residents.

Khalil stressed that the people of Shigur have consistently called for their region to be reclassified as a province within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). He noted that over 90% of Shigur residents voted in favor of Kurdistan’s independence during the 2017 referendum, a mandate that strengthens their case for provincial status. “This transformation is not merely an administrative adjustment; it reflects a legitimate demand rooted in the region’s historical, cultural, and political identity,” he added.

The Yezidi lawmaker argued that this initiative is long overdue, addressing the neglect and recurring security and social crises that have plagued the area. He believes the proposed change will grant the local community increased autonomy, access to governmental resources, and a path toward resolving chronic underdevelopment.

Earlier in April, the Athra Alliance advocated for creating a new province in Nineveh Plains (Doshto d’Ninveh), inspired by Halabja’s example, arguing that such initiatives are constitutional rights essential to preserving the region’s cultural, linguistic, religious, and national identity.

The Athra Alliance in Iraq is a joint political bloc consisting of four Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian political parties, being the Bethnahrin Patriotic Union, Assyrian Democratic Movement, Bethnahrain Democratic Party and the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian Popular Council.

Khalil’s announcement is seen as a potential turning point in Iraq’s ongoing discussions on local governance. Observers hope that Baghdad will support this initiative, which could promote greater regional stability and self-determination for historically marginalized communities.

While transforming Shigur into a province requires extensive legislative review and political negotiation, Khalil’s remarks have ignited optimism among advocates. If successful, this initiative will mark a significant step toward decentralizing power in Iraq, aligning administrative boundaries with the region’s diverse demographic and cultural realities.