The Movement for a Democratic Society (TEV-DEM) has issued a written statement on the latest developments in Sinjar and the Iraqi government’s decision to expel the Yazidi (Êzîdxan) Asayish (public security) forces from Sinjar.
In the statement, TEV-DEM argued that the Sinjar agreement was prepared by Turkey and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and will not serve the people of Iraq.
TEV-DEM also argued that, during the siege of Sinjar by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in August 2014, the KDP and Iraqi government did not fulfil their duties and instead left the Yazidi people alone.
“One of the bloodiest massacres in the 21st century took place in Sinjar”, said TEV-DEM in its statement. “ISIS was responsible and also sold thousands of Yazidi women in the markets as slaves. There are thousands of Yazidi women whose fates are still unknown today. The KDP and Iraqi governments remained silent on all these massacres committed by ISIS, which is supported by the Turkish state. They did not even make a statement condemning the attacks”.
Yazidis defended their cultural heritage
“However, the Yazidi people who live in Sinjar defended their cultural heritage and values against all these attacks”, continued the statement. “Yazidi youth lost their lives while defending their lands. People’s Protection Units (YPG) saved thousands of Yazidis. Thanks to the YPG, the biggest massacre of the century was prevented”.
Regarding the Sinjar Resistance Units (YBŞ), Civil Protection Units-Women (YBŞ-Jin), and Yazidi Asayish, TEV-DEM said the following: “They, the YBŞ, YBŞ-Jin, and Yazidi Asayish, together defended their lands, and later with the support of Autonomous Administration (AANES), they established a system to govern themselves. This is now under a threat. The beauty of Iraq depends on the freedom of its peoples, including the Yazidis. How could the Iraqi central government not want the Yazidis to have an Iraqi identity? The doors to Sinjar have been closed for more than three months”.
They want radical Islamists in Sinjar
TEV-DEM called on the Iraqi government not to follow the policies of Turkey and the KDP.
“Those who want to evacuate Sinjar, especially the Turkish state, want to put radical Islamists there. All the attempts of Turkey regarding Sinjar are against the will of Yazidis. They have also killed dozens of civilians so far”.
Everyone must mobilise for Sinjar
At the end of the statement, TEV-DEM called on everyone to stand with the combined struggle of Kurds and Yazidis and mobilise in support of Sinjar, underlining that the Yazidi people are again under threat: “The Iraqi government should be aware that the Turkish state is trying to revive ISIS in Sinjar”.
