‘Shingal shouldn’t be forgotten in Kurdish referendum’
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) - The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) should remember Sinjar (Shingal) when the time comes for Kurdish self-determination, the Mayor of the city Mahma Khalil said on Saturday.
In a press conference, Khalil asked Kurdish political parties in the Kurdistan Region to include Shingal when a referendum begins, stating that the city has always counted itself as part of the Region.
“We know the referendum is ahead of us. Our response is yes for the referendum, yes for independence, yes for reconstructing Shingal, yes for promoting Shingal to a province, and yes for bringing Shingal back under the shadow of the KRG,” Khalil said.
He explained that Shingal does not want to experience another genocide like the one that began on Aug. 3, 2014 when the Islamic State (IS) occupied the city.
Furthermore, Khalil noted that the administration of the city will reconstruct it and help the displaced Ezidi people return to their homes. “Shingal is a national symbol and home for humanity, and different religious groups,” Khalil added.
He mentioned that reconstruction will not be easy, but is not impossible. He stated that the moral of Ezidi people is strong, and the financial crisis and lack of budget should not affect them.
In addition, Khalil pointed out that he has met with high representatives of the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia and Japan. He explained that those countries have offered to help rebuild the city in order to demonstrate "respect for the martyrs."
The Mayor praised the role of the Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani for supporting the city. Khalil stated that he will continue to facilitate peace, coexistence and harmony among the people of Shingal.
Moreover, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on Saturday calling on the KRG and Peshmerga to protect the mass graves in Shingal in order to present strong evidence for the Ezidi genocide committed by IS.
Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany