TEV-DEM co-chair: “The Iraqi government should protect Shengal”

The invading Turkish state hit a vehicle in Shengal’s old bazaar on Monday. In the attack, one of the YBŞ commanders, Seid Hesen, and his nephew, Isa Xweda, fell as martyrs. Three civilians were injured in the attack. On the day of the attack, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kazimi was expected to visit Shengal. On Tuesday, Turkish warplanes bombed the hospital of Sikîniyê.

Talking to ANHA about the attacks, Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM) co-chair, Zelal Ceger, criticized the Iraqi government’s attitude. Stating that the Kurdish people need unity more than ever, Zelal Ceger said: “The resistance must be increased in order to protect Shengal against the destruction policy of the Turkish state.”

Ceger said that in reality the attacks on Shengal showed the weakness of the AKP and Erdoğan and added: “A cowardly and helpless state is bombing a place which is miles away from itself. The Turkish state is afraid of the struggle and resistance of society. Its fascist mentality leads it to carry out more massacres. This is a great danger for the Kurdish people.”

Stating that the Turkish state does not respect the sovereign rights of neighboring countries, Zelal Ceger said: “The Iraqi government has a responsibility to defend Shengal. If it cannot protect Shengal today, it will not be able to protect Baghdad tomorrow. The fact that the Iraqi government did not take a stance against the attacks shows that it is aware of the attacks and is a partner in crime. The Turkish state cannot use Iraqi airspace without the permission of the government. These attacks are being carried out in front of the eyes of the whole world. Nobody said anything. All international forces are responsible for these attacks.”

Calling on Kurds to work harder to achieve national unity, Ceger added: “The Turkish state targets the whole of Kurdistan. They want to destroy the Kurdish people and destroy all their gains. Kurdish people should work towards unity. We must unite to protect Shengal. Otherwise, this threat will continue to target all of us.”