YBŞ: Red Wednesday marks solidarity, resistance

The YBŞ leadership issued an official statement on the occasion of the Yazidi New Year, which falls on the first Wednesday of April.

The statement began:

"At the dawn of this sacred day, when nature adorns itself with the colors of renewal and souls blossom with the meaning of new beginnings, on the occasion of the Yazidi New Year 'Sere Salê,' the festival of life and identity, a rebirth of hope that emerged from the darkness of hardship.

We extend our warmest congratulations to our Yazidi community and our friends." The statement emphasized that "Shengal is not just a forgotten geographical spot, but the heart of a living cause and a symbol of humanity’s resilience," stressing that "protecting Shengal and the will of its people is not a choice, but a sacred duty and a red line that cannot be compromised."

In a special tribute to the martyrs of the resistance, the YBŞ saluted the families of the martyrs, stating: "To every mother who carried her wounds as a badge of honor, to every father whose will remained unbroken, to every orphan who preserved their father’s name like a song, we offer our greetings on this glorious holiday."

The leadership stressed that "without the sacrifices of the martyrs, we would not have been able to preserve our traditions and identity," describing the holiday as "not just a passing ritual, but a defiance of genocide and a clear declaration that we remain and we resist."

The statement added: "The New Year celebration in the calendar of time is not merely about rituals, but an opportunity to affirm our deep-rooted connection to our origins, to renew our covenant with the land, with memory, and with those who made sacrifices so that this people can live with dignity. This holiday is a triumph over oblivion, a challenge to annihilation, loudly declaring: "We are here, we will stay, and we will resist."

The statement also included a special salute to Leader Abdullah Ocalan, whom the leadership described as "a moral and intellectual reference who illuminated the path for oppressed peoples," affirming that his project goes beyond politics to become "an ethical system that inspires the free."

In conclusion, the Shengal Resistance Units called on the Yazidi people to make this holiday an occasion to strengthen unity and cohesion and to remain cautious of efforts aimed at undermining their hard-earned gains. They wished for the holiday to be "the beginning of a new era marked by coexistence and brotherhood among peoples."

A-H

ANHA