In expressing solidarity between the people of Sinjar (Şengal) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and the people of North and East Syria (Rojava), Viyan Hababi, a member of the Sinjar Women’s Units (YJŞ) Command Council, reaffirmed unwavering support for the forces of northeastern Syria. Speaking to Roj News, Hababi emphasised the readiness of all forces under the military council’s command to counter ongoing aggression.
During the conversation, Hababi commended the resilience of the people and fighters of northeastern Syria, asserting that the recent attacks by the jihadist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces are intended to undermine the will of Rojava’s population.
Reflecting on the 2014 ISIS onslaught on Sinjar, Hababi remarked, “We, Yazidis, know too well that ISIS, though now in a different guise, seeks to target our people with the same barbarity. However, the steadfast resistance of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), and the People’s Protection Units (YPG) ensures that the catastrophic events of 2014 in Sinjar will not be repeated in northeastern Syria.”
Addressing the mercenary nature of HTS, formerly Al-Nusra Front, and their actions under the guise of radical Islamism, Hababi stated:
“This group, with its Islamist mentality fostered by the Turkish state, is replicating the atrocities committed in Sinjar in 2014 within the Shahba (Şehba) region today.”
Hababi further emphasised the readiness of the Sinjar Women’s Units to collaborate with the military forces of northeastern Syria:
“In 2014, the forces of northeastern Syria stood with the Yazidis against Turkish-linked mercenaries. Today, we call upon the people of Sinjar—men and women alike—to unite with these military forces and prevent a recurrence of the Sinjar tragedy.”
Turning to the controversial treaty between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani and the Turkish state, Hababi warned, “Sudani must understand that if Syria falls, Iraq will inevitably face the same fate. A victory for Turkish mercenaries in Syria will embolden their operations in Iraq.”
Concluding her conversation with Roj News, Hababi underscored the urgent need to prevent a recurrence of the horrors experienced on 3 August 2014. “We remain resolute in protecting and supporting our people, ensuring that the tragedy of Sinjar is never repeated in northeastern Syria.”
On 3 August 2014, ISIS launched a catastrophic assault on Sinjar, massacring thousands and enslaving countless Yazidis, including women, children, and the elderly. Many of these women remain in captivity under ISIS or Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.
During this dark period, the SDF, the YPG, and YPJ played a decisive role in preventing an even greater massacre of the Yazidi people.
