Shengal Autonomous Administration condemns Turkey’s attacks, vows resistance

The Shengal Autonomous Administration released a statement regarding the latest genocidal attack of the Turkish state against the Yazidi town of Shengal (Sinjar) in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) which has claimed lives.

“Our enemies have always sought to make this month a month of mourning and tears for us, the Yazidis. The 14 August massacres in Til Izêr, Sîba Şêx Xidir and Gi Zerik whose martyrs we commemorated a few days ago can be cited as examples,” the statement said.

The Shengal Autonomous Administration recalled that a genocide was committed in the village of Kocho on August 15, 2014, and Mam Zeki Şengali, together with his comrade Mahir, were martyred in 2018 during the anniversary of the genocide by the Turkish state.

The administration said that the Turkish state carried out another hideous attack on Shengal on August 16, 2021, and martyred Commander Seid Hesen and YBŞ fighter İsa Xwedêda.

‘THEY DEFENDED SHENGAL IN DIFFICULT TIMES’

“These two leading figures defended Shengal in difficult times. We know that the invading Turkish state recruited mercenaries from all over the world and made them attack Kobanê and Shengal. Our commander and leader Seid, together with his family members, one of whom was Isa, took up arms and defended Shengal and fought for their land. When the betrayers turned their backs on Shengal and wanted to hand over Shengal to ISIS, our friend Seid said ‘We are the owners of our people, we will defend ourselves. We are fighters and commanders. We will not abandon Shengal to anyone, we are the self-defence force, and we are the fighters of our people’,” the statement said.

The Shengal Autonomous Administration emphasized that the invading Turkish state targeted the commanders and fighters who are the foundation of the Yazidi alliance.

“The KDP was in power in Shengal from 2003 to the last Yazidi massacre in 2014. During the KDP rule, our friend Seid, who was carrying out activities concerning the Yazidis, faced obstacles. However, YBŞ was founded by friends like Seid with their persistent personality. Besides, our friend Seid held a significant place in the Shengal People’s Assembly. He had a special place within the entire Yazidi community.”

The statement noted that the hideous terrorist attack was carried out during Iraqi President Mustafa Kadhimi’s visit to Shengal, continuing: “This is the first time a prime minister or president of Iraq has visited Shengal since the 1980s. President Kadhimi was expected to visit institutions that represent the will of the Yazidi community in Shengal. The fact that the attack was carried out on such a day reveals the aims of the enemies and invaders.”

“We will enshrine the memories of our friend Seid, one of the prominent members of the Yazidi community, in our life and struggle. We will raise people like Seid, Isa, Zeki, Mahir, Genco, Zerdeşt, Hemid, Êzdin and Cilo. We will accomplish the aim of realizing the Yazidi alliance endorsed by Mam Zeki and our friend Seid. And it should be known that we will no longer tolerate the killing of our people. The Yazidi society has reached the level of bringing the enemies and murderers to account. We promise to realize this.”