Representatives of Yazidi institutions and organizations in Shengal reacted strongly to attempts by the Iraqi government to disarm the Yazidi community and its self-defense forces. Officials stressed that weapons are a matter of honor and existence for the Yazidis, saying that Baghdad’s aim is not merely to collect weapons, but to break the will of the Yazidi people.
Artist Iskan Helqî drew attention to Iraq’s historical policies toward Shengal, and said, “This initiative reflects an approach that has been repeated since the period of Maliki. It brings back the dark days of the 2014 genocide.”
Helqî said that throughout history, governments have first disarmed communities when preparing for massacres. He said: “When an enemy was preparing a decree of massacre, weapons would first be collected. If weapons are being demanded today, this is a sign of preparations for genocide. The aim is to weaken the defense forces of Êzidxan and to break our will. Our community must remain vigilant.”
Helqî concluded his remarks with a call to the people of Shengal. He said, “Do not hand over your weapons to anyone. Those who demand your weapons today will demand your land and your honor tomorrow. As a people, we must rally around our self-defense forces.”
Hecî Kulî, a member of the Xanesor Council, said that Iraq’s hostile plans against the Yazidis have continued since 1973, citing the forced displacement of 1975 as an example. Kulî said, “Because the Yazidi community refused to submit, the people were driven down from the mountains to the plains and fragmented. For us, Iraq has now become a place where decrees of massacre are imposed.”
Residents of Shengal said that collecting the weapons civilians keep for self-defense in the face of the growing ISIS threat would amount to “the continuation of massacre.” Representatives stressed that problems must be resolved through dialogue rather than military pressure.
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