The Yazidis of Shengal view their own self-defense as inseparable from the defense of Rojava Kurdistan. For this reason, since the launch of attacks against Rojava by al-Jolani, affiliated mercenaries, they have carried out actions in various forms.
Kendal Çiya, a member of the Abdullah Öcalan Social Sciences Academy, spoke to the ANF about the reasons behind the attacks targeting Rojava Kurdistan, the dangers facing Shengal, and the measures that must be taken.
Kendal Çiya saluted the resistance fighters of Rojava Kurdistan and the resisting population and said: “I salute the resistance of our people in Rojava Kurdistan and the resistance of the Kurdish people. I bow with respect before the memory of the martyrs of Aleppo and the resistance of Rojava.”
Abdullah Öcalan worked tirelessly to prevent war
Kendal Çiya drew attention to the efforts led by Abdullah Öcalan to prevent bloodshed in Kurdistan and across the region, and said: “Abdullah Öcalan made tremendous efforts, invested in great labor, and issued important warnings so that the peoples of the Middle East would not be subjected to massacres. Likewise, our comrades in Rojava (Western Kurdistan) made great efforts to ensure that war would not take place. Yet despite all these efforts, this war was imposed on our people. As Öcalan has also pointed out, there is an international conspiracy targeting the peoples of the region and the Kurdish people. For this reason, we must support our people in Rojava Kurdistan with all our strength and with our very lives. In fact, we saw this go beyond support during the 2014 decree; had it not been for the people of Rojava Kurdistan and Rojava’s defense forces, the Yazidi community would not have been left on the face of the earth. Rojava Kurdistan is the reason for our existence. It is the reason for the existence of the Yazidi community. That is why the attacks carried out today against Rojava Kurdistan are attacks against all the peoples of Kurdistan. This is a genocidal attack, and we view it as an attack on our very existence.”
A grave danger looms
Kendal Çiya said that the renewed attacks by al-Jolani, affiliated ISIS mercenaries also pose a serious threat to Yazidis and continued: “There is a very serious danger at this moment. Radical, jihadist, and ISIS-linked groups have reorganized themselves through different forms and methods and have once again been unleashed against the Kurdish people and the peoples of the region. In the face of this major threat, I want to call first and foremost on the Yazidi community, on all peoples and minorities of the Middle East, especially those in Iraq and Syria, to build unity against these brutal mercenaries and this treacherous international conspiracy, and to stand firm against these barbaric attacks.”
Our community is now organized and conscious
Kendal Çiya also addressed the dangers facing Shengal and said: “We know that there is currently a threat hanging over Shengal as well. However, our community is no longer the same as it was in 2014; it has become conscious and has gained experience. Everyone has acquired experience in the military field. For this reason, in the face of the possibility that a war may break out, I call on the people of Shengal to build their unity, to defend themselves, and to protect human dignity.”
States recognizing the Yazidi genocide must not remain silent
Kendal Çiya also drew attention to the silence of states that have recognized the genocide against Yazidis, and said:
“We condemn the forces behind this conspiracy. States that have recognized the genocide against the Yazidi community must not remain silent in the face of these attacks on Rojava Kurdistan. Yazidis are present from Aleppo to Cizîrê, and they are being killed in these areas. If the states that have recognized the genocide against Yazidis truly and sincerely accept this reality, they must protect our Yazidi people and all Rojava Kurdistan from these attacks and must not remain silent.
Yet what we see is that, through their statements and alliances, they are supporting this situation. Our people are not disorganized or unaware. For centuries, there have been efforts to eradicate our people, and with this attack they seek to complete that goal. The defense of Rojava Kurdistan is the defense of the existence, dignity, and freedom of the entire Kurdish people. At the same time, it is the defense of the existence and dignity of the Yazidi community. The Yazidi community is aware of this. Our people must do everything in their power for Rojava Kurdistan, while also taking all necessary measures to protect themselves. Rojava Kurdistan is not alone; freedom will belong to our people.”