Hisên Seado, the Deputy Co-Chairman of the Democratic Autonomous Assembly of Sinjar (Şengal), strongly criticised Turkey’s recent air strikes in the region, during an interview with Mezopotamya Agency on Tuesday.
Seado accused Turkey of attempting to undermine the democratic nation system established in Sinjar following the atrocities committed by the Islamic State (ISIS). “This system was built with great will and sacrifice. It cannot be destroyed by attacks and bombings,” he said.
Turkey’s recent military actions have included air strikes against the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) along its southern borders and the Sinjar Autonomous Region in northern Iraq. Notably, air strikes on 23-26 December in North and East Syria targeted civilian areas, including hospitals, power plants and petrol stations, killing nine civilians.
A subsequent air strike on 28 December in Sinjar targeted water well workers, killing five. Seado condemned Turkey’s military operations, highlighting the impact on the Yazidi community and ongoing efforts to rebuild Sinjar. “The targeting of these friends comes from intolerance against the Yazidi community,” Seado explained.
The response from regional and international powers to Turkey’s actions has been notably muted. The central governments of Syria and Iraq, along with the administration of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), have remained silent in the face of these attacks.
Seado further argued that the attacks on the north Syrian region, known as Rojava, and Sinjar, were interconnected, driven by Turkey’s animosity towards the democratic nation system being built in these regions. He stated that the system’s influence and growing global recognition were the primary targets of Turkey’s aggression. “With these attacks, they want to destroy and eliminate the democratic nation system that was built at great cost,” he said.
Seado also called for greater solidarity with the Yazidi community and the regions of Rojava and Sinjar, urging recognition and opposition to the persecution from the Turkish government. He criticised the Iraqi central government and KRI government officials for their silence on Turkey’s actions against Sinjar, stating, “These bombardments against the Yazidis are being ignored. Yazidis are ignored as usual.”
Seado reiterated the importance of defending Rojava and Sinjar, not just for their own sake but as a symbol of the democratic nation system. “Protecting Sinjar and Rojava means protecting this system,” he stated, emphasising the need for continued solidarity and support.
