YJŞ commemorates victims of genocide, pledges to bring back abducted Yazidi women

Today, Sunday, the Women's Units of Shengal (YJŞ) issued a statement marking the 12th anniversary of the genocide perpetrated by ISIS mercenaries against the Yazidi people in Shengal on August 3, 2014.

At the beginning of the statement, the units explained that the month of August has become known in Yazidi history as the month of genocide, having witnessed major massacres and brutal attacks. The statement referred to the Tel Ezer and Siba Sheikh Khidir massacres of August 14, 2007, as well as the August 3, 2014 genocide, as examples. On the anniversary of these massacres, the leadership of the Women's Units of Shengal honored the memory of the martyrs of the genocide.

The statement read: "With deep gratitude and great love, we remember the revolutionaries, fighters, and commanders who came to the aid of our people. We also commemorate the members of YJA STAR, HPG, YPG, and YPJ who sacrificed their blood in defense of our land. We renew our pledge to strengthen our forces and further organize ourselves in loyalty to their sacrifices, efforts, and dedication."

Explanation of this statement is that in all of their history, the Yazidis have been facing a number of firmans (killings) and have been repeatedly subjected to extermination because of their religion. The explanation continued by saying: "On 3 August 2014, ISIS attack on Shengal and its villages turned out to be one of the worst firmans of history. During this occupation, thousands of Yazidis were killed, kidnapped, trafficked and enslaved. Others had to escape and take shelter."

According to the statement, thousands of Yazidis were kidnapped by ISIS, many of whom were killed by them, while many other women were enslaved and sold in slave markets of Mosul and Raqqa. "This firman aimed primarily at eliminating Yazidi women who are deeply rooted in their land and their religion, and Yazidi culture. Despite all the crimes committed against them, Yazidi women did not leave their homeland; rather, they took refuge in the Mountains of Shengal and showed the enemy their determination to defend their land."

The statement also drew attention to the period during which the genocide took place, saying: "The forces that claimed they would protect the community abandoned the people and withdrew, leaving them at the mercy of ISIS. The fighters of the Freedom Movement considered it their responsibility to defend our people and headed toward the Mosul desert. While the entire world remained silent in the face of this genocide, Shengal, following the call of Leader Abdullah Ocalan, became a center of fierce resistance."

It continued: "As Women's Protection Units, we believe that self-defense is a fundamental necessity and an essential requirement for every society. A society that cannot protect itself is destined to disappear. Guided by our pledge to avenge the Yazidi women, we established women's self-defense forces and organized women. Our goal is to protect the women of Shengal on the basis of the ideology of women's freedom, provide them with the opportunity to live freely, and build a democratic system."

Marking the anniversary of the genocide and the atrocities committed against the Yazidi people, particularly Yazidi women, the statement stressed that thousands of women fell into ISIS captivity and that the fate of many of them remains unknown to this day. The Women's Units of Shengal declared: "Based on our responsibility to defend women's freedom and dignity, we announce our participation in the campaign launched by the Yazidi Women's Freedom Movement (TAJÊ)."

The statement strongly condemned all attacks and practices targeting the will and dignity of Yazidi women, emphasizing that attempts through special warfare and schemes aimed at Yazidi women still held captive would not go unanswered. It affirmed: "We will continue our struggle to uncover their fate and achieve justice for them."

The statement further emphasized: "Throughout history, Yazidi women have proven that resistance is deeply rooted in their identity and heritage. The pioneering women of the Yazidi community, Zarifa Osa, Khatun Farkha, Miyan Khatun, and Jilan paved the way for the future of the community through their struggles and resistance. From the 2014 genocide until today, the Women's Units of Shengal have continued their struggle to build a free and democratic society, organize Yazidi women, and protect their existence and identity."

The statement concluded: "We commemorate all the martyrs of the genocide, including Nujiyan, Finar, Stêrk, Zilan, Doga, Arîn, and Brîvan, who joined the caravan of immortals on the historic land of the Yazidis. We remember them with love and loyalty, and we renew our pledge to continue the struggle and fulfill the goals.

ANHA