Painful moments from Kobani Massacre

After their defeat by the Kobani resistance, specifically on the dawn of the 7th of Ramadan, corresponding to June 25, 2015, ISIS mercenaries infiltrated the neighborhoods of Kobani and the village of Barkh Botan south of the city, disguised in the uniforms of the People’s Protection Units, to carry out a retaliatory attack.

Here, we present two painful testimonies from the Kobani Massacre through the experiences of Sadiqa Bozan and Zirka Nebo, who lost their husbands during that massacre.

Sadiqa Bozan, the wife of Faiq Muhi al-Din, explained how ISIS mercenaries infiltrated Kobani and the village of Barkh Botan after their defeat, wearing the uniforms of the People’s Protection Units in an attempt at revenge on the dawn of June 25, 2015.

Sadiqa Bozan narrated the details of the massacre, saying: “The massacre happened during Ramadan. It was dawn, and everyone was asleep. Suddenly, we heard gunshots. I woke up along with my husband and children. I asked my husband Faiq about the source of the shots, and he told me not to be afraid because the fighters were firing in celebration of the liberation of the city of Serrin.

We came down from the roof, and my husband went out in front of me, carrying his weapon, and stepped into the street. I went out with my daughter and stood beside him to see what was happening. Suddenly, one of the ISIS mercenaries standing on the road fired a silenced pistol at my husband and hit him. I saw my husband groaning and bleeding, then he fell to the ground. I ran away screaming and calling my relatives.

After that, I returned to my husband and found that he had crawled to the door of the house. He had been shot in the side and was bleeding heavily. My daughter and I tried to lift him and get him inside to stop the bleeding, but it didn’t stop. He eventually was martyred due to severe bleeding.”

Among the painful experiences lived by the people of Kobani on the dawn of the 7th of Ramadan 2015, is the story of Zirka Nebo, who was not spared from the brutality of the ISIS mercenary attack, whether old or young, children, girls, or youths.

Zirka Nebo, the wife of Bakr Muhammad (65 years old), spoke about the day of the massacre and the martyrdom of her husband, saying: “On the 7th of Ramadan, corresponding to June 25, 2015, I woke up with the call to prayer to perform the dawn prayer, then I dozed off for a bit. Suddenly, I heard a very loud noise, so I woke up my children and told them they had to get up. Then we heard gunfire.

When we heard the gunfire, we went out into the street. People told us that ISIS mercenaries had entered Kobani and the village of Barkh Botan, while others said that the city of Serrin had been liberated. I saw our neighbor’s car passing by, so I stopped him and asked where he was going. He replied he was heading to the Free Women’s Square where it was said that Serrin city had been liberated. I decided to go with him and took my grandson with me.

When we arrived at the Free Women’s Square, we saw bodies on the ground. Someone told us they were ISIS mercenaries and told us to flee. On the way, I told my son that his father (my husband) was still at the vegetable market, and I asked him to check on him. But he said that his father was old and able to protect himself.

Moments later, I saw my eldest son coming on a motorcycle calling out to me, ‘Mother.’ My heart sank, and I responded, ‘What?’ He told me that ISIS mercenaries had shot his father at the market because he raised the victory sign, which led to his martyrdom.

I asked my son to take me to see his father, but he told me we couldn’t go because ISIS snipers were spread across the city. He took me back home and told me to take care of the children. Suddenly, a bullet hit the door above my head. My son shouted and ordered us inside immediately.

Inside the house, I filled a bucket and a glass with water and placed them in the street for anyone passing by who might be thirsty and want to drink. Suddenly, a car approached, and armed men got out pointing their weapons at me and ordered me inside under threat of killing me. But one of them said, ‘Don’t kill this old woman, she is non of our concern’, then they left. After that, the fighters arrived and took us to a safe place to protect us.

The fighters of the People’s Protection Units and Women’s Protection Units fought from one side and rescued people from the other, defending their people until the end. June 25 was a black day in their history, a day stained with blood that will not be forgotten even after a hundred years, as its memory continues to hurt hearts and remind them of the tragedies, with determination not to let the blood of the martyrs go in vain.”

A-H 

ANHA