Politics

Kurdistan PM praises Yezidi resilience on anniversary of genocide by ISIS, calls for support

Prime Minister Barzani called on the Iraqi government to compensate the Yezidis and facilitate a "dignified return" of displaced Yezidis to their areas.

Mustafa Shilani 2020/08/02 23:51

middle east Kurdistan Sinjar Shingal Yezidi Ezidi ISIS Iraq

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday commemorated the sixth anniversary of the genocide the so-called Islamic State carried out against the Yezidis (Ezidi) in 2014.

Six years ago on August 3, thousands of members of the terrorist organization overran the Ezidi-majority Sinjar (Shingal) district, executing thousands of people en mass, taking thousands more as captive. Hundreds of thousands were displaced, with many fleeing to the Kurdistan Region and others resettling in neighboring countries in the region or Western states.

Islamic State terrorists subjected women and girls to sexual slavery, kidnapped children, forced religious conversions, and abused, sold, and trafficked women across areas they controlled in Iraq and Syria, actions now widely recognized as genocide.

Before the 2014 attack, there were roughly 550,000 Ezidis in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. As the terror group took over large swaths of territory in Nineveh province, 360,000 Ezidis escaped and found refuge elsewhere, according to the Kurdistan Region's Ezidi Rescue Office.

"We commemorate the victims of this genocide with great sorrow," Barzani said in a statement, adding that "despite the atrocities, killings, and violations our Ezidi brothers and sisters faced, they continue to protect their language, identity, culture, and their religion."

Barzani also stressed that "we must also honor the sacrifices of the Peshmerga" who, under the leadership of former Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani, helped free Shingal. The premier also praised the people of the autonomous region for supporting "our Ezidi brothers and sisters in their time of need."

The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of cooperation and coordination amongst all sides in rebuilding and normalizing the situation in Shingal. He also stressed the need for the removal of "foreign armed forces and militias" in the area, and for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal Iraqi government to coordinate to protect the city.

Barzani also called on Baghdad to compensate the Ezidis and facilitate a "dignified return" of displaced Yezidis to their areas.

Editing by Khrush Najari