Iraq

Thematic areas: Humanitarian Norms – Protection of Children and Education – Displacement – Humanitarian Access – Protection of Civilian Infrastructure – Rule of Law

Iraq is experiencing a period of relative stability, but continues to face significant political and security challenges. While large-scale conflict has ended, tensions persist between state institutions and armed groups that still hold considerable influence. The government’s emphasis on sovereignty and security reform reflects efforts to strengthen control, though progress remains uneven and often contested. Ahead of national elections, the political landscape is highly competitive, with localized violence and intimidation risks highlighting the continued role of armed factions in governance. Regionally, Iraq faces ongoing pressure from neighbouring powers and remains vulnerable to spillover from wider regional rivalries. Despite some improvements in stability and governance, humanitarian and reintegration challenges persist, requiring sustained attention to protection, accountability, and institutional resilience.

However, the situation has changed dramatically with the start of 2026, specifically in the Syrian context with implications on countries in the region, including Iraq. Large military mobilization has been carried out by the Iraqi forces and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) groups across the Iraq-Syria border in the wake of the recent fast-paced change of dynamics between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). There are already reports of Islamic State group (ISg) fighters trying to cross back into Iraq, posing a direct threat to the security of the country. There are fears of ISg resurging after some areas captured by SDF have been taken over by Syrian forces, and tribes defecting from the SDF. There is also growing concern in Iraq regarding the overall regional situation, because it is caught in the middle of emerging conflicts, making it very difficult to maintain the fragile peace and stability in the country. There are currently angry demonstrations in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region against what has been happening in the Kurdish part of Syria. There are also Kurdish concerns that the Iraqi government and its forces may follow the same approach toward Kurds as the Syrians have. The region is experiencing unpredictable changes and scenarios.

Intervention and impact

Geneva Call has continued to work toward improving the protection of civilians by fostering respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) among armed groups and de facto authorities. Throughout 2025, Geneva Call conducted multiple activities, including tailored workshops on displacement and the safe and voluntary return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the protection of civilian infrastructure, environmental protection, and humanitarian access. These efforts were complemented by interactive dialogue forums that brought together civilian and armed actors to jointly discuss protection concerns. The forums enabled the identification and resolution of numerous protection issues across target areas, leading to tangible outcomes such as the facilitated return of IDPs, the evacuation of civilian objects, and improved access for humanitarian actors.

• Geneva Call delivered thematic and IHL-based workshops to different armed groups and de facto authorities across Iraq including PMF, Yazidy Groups, Tribal PMF, Al-Sistani PMF and others.
• Geneva Call conducted Interactive dialogue forums between armed groups and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), community leaders, and representatives regarding various protection issues like protection of civilian infrastructure, return of IDPs, and reintegration challenges facing returnees.

Key figures

Geneva Call’s actions played a key role in:

• Securing the evacuation of multiple civilian facilities occupied by Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS)/PMF, including Girzerik school, Lalish Cultural Centre, Water Directorate (Sibaye), the Directorate of Reparations, Civil Documentation Office (Qahtaniya), one additional school, and a health facility in Sinjar.
• Restoring access to education and services for over 1,000 students in Sinjar.
• Mediation between YBS and the Iraqi Army; de-escalation of Yazidi–PMF tension and preventing retaliatory violence.
• Enabling agricultural land restoration and improving humanitarian access in Sinjar.
• Supporting a protection dialogue between women-led media and YBS Women’s Protection Units in Sinjar.
• Facilitating the return of 527 families to Amirli, Daqooq, Riyadh, and surrounding areas in Kirkuk.
• Restoring seized agricultural lands in Samak Al-Olya and Til Al-Bosal in Kirkuk.
• Returning the Water Directorate building, and restoring water services in Kirkuk.
• Improving civilian movement through positive behavior at checkpoints by PMF in Heit, Anbar.
• Supporting returns in Jazirat Al-Khalidiya in Anbar and helping to mitigate tribal tensions around Al-Jada camp.
• 33 Unilateral Declarations signed by AGDAs on key thematics.