PM Masrour Barzani reaffirms support for Yezidis after 10 years since Sinjar massacre

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – On Tuesday, the Kurdistan Region's Prime Minister launched the Financial Support project for ISIS Survivors.

As part of the event, the Premier delivered a solemn speech that marked the upcoming tenth anniversary of the Sinjar massacre, paying tribute to the resilience and courage of Yezidi survivors and the sacrifices of the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces.

"Although this year marks the tenth anniversary of the massacre of Sinjar and its surroundings, the suffering of the Yezidi people has not yet ended," the Prime Minister stated.

He emphasized the ongoing struggles faced by the Yezidi community, many of whom remain in camps due to the presence of militias and illegal armed groups in their homeland.

The Prime Minister reiterated the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) commitment to supporting the Yezidi community's legitimate demands.

He called for the end of the state of emergency in Sinjar and the full implementation of the Sinjar agreement to restore the region to its indigenous people with the help of the federal government and the international community.

The KRG's efforts to address the plight of Yezidi families were highlighted, including the successful release of numerous Yezidis and other kidnapped communities from ISIS terrorists.

The government continues to search for those still missing and advocates for the recognition of ISIS crimes as war crimes, despite limited support at the federal level.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the international community's role in recognizing the genocide against Yezidi Kurds.

"We commend and thank all countries that have officially recognized the crimes of ISIS terrorists against the Yezidi Kurds as genocide," he said, urging further international assistance to help Yezidi refugees return home with dignity.

The speech celebrated the resilience of the Yezidi people, highlighting individuals like Ms. Shirin Khero Khudeda, a survivor of ISIS captivity who recently graduated from the American University of Kurdistan. Her story was described as a symbol of resistance and inspiration.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Yezidi community's integral role within the Kurdish nation, despite ongoing attempts to separate them.

He announced a financial support project for over 3,000 Yezidi women who survived ISIS, aiming to improve their financial situation and support their education, employment, and medical needs.

We’re committed to helping our Yazidi brothers and sisters recover from the ISIS genocide.

Starting today, over 3,000 survivors will receive direct financial support.

We back their calls to normalize their ancestral homeland of Sinjar for a safe and dignified return home. pic.twitter.com/XYg5UO1qC9

— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) July 2, 2024

In closing, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to President Masoud Barzani and the Peshmerga forces for their role in liberating Sinjar.

"President Barzani and his Peshmergas did everything they could to restore the pride and dignity of the Yezidis and to defeat ISIS terrorists," he noted, praising their sacrifices and commitment.

"We are here to express our gratitude for the resistance of our Yezidi people," he concluded. "Despite all the misery and oppression, they have resisted, maintained their identity, and not lost hope."

The speech ended with a tribute to the victims of the Sinjar massacre and the Yezidi genocide, with hopes for a prosperous and free life for the Yezidi community in Kurdistan.

You can read the transcript of the speech below:

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful,

Dear audience,

Sisters who survived the hands of ISIS terrorists,

Good day and warm welcomes to you all.

Today we are honored to recognize the victims who survived the hands of ISIS terrorists. Although this year marks the tenth anniversary of the massacre of Sinjar and its surroundings, unfortunately, the suffering of the Yezidi people has not yet ended.

Today, with great respect and appreciation, we commemorate all the victims of the massacre of our Yezidi brothers and sisters by ISIS terrorists. We also honor the resistance, heroism, and sacrifices of the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces, who, under the leadership of President Masoud Barzani, defeated the ISIS terrorists and liberated Sinjar.

Ten years after this tragedy, the situation in Sinjar has not yet returned to normal. Due to the presence of militias and illegal armed groups, our Yezidi brothers and sisters remain in camps and have not been able to return to their homes.

On this occasion, we reiterate our support for the legitimate demands of our Yezidi brothers and sisters. The state of emergency in Sinjar must end, and the Sinjar agreement must be implemented as it is. The militias and illegal forces in the region must be removed so that, with the help of the federal government and the international community, we can rebuild the region and return its governance to the indigenous people of Sinjar.

Dear Attendees,

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has taken significant steps to alleviate the suffering of the families of the victims of ISIS terrorists and has played a crucial role in the release of many Yezidis and other communities kidnapped by ISIS. The government will continue its efforts to determine the fate of those still missing and to free all who remain in captivity.

The KRG has also worked to recognize ISIS crimes as war crimes. To this end, with the support of the international community, we have called for the establishment of a special court to try ISIS terrorists for their international crimes. Unfortunately, these efforts have not been properly welcomed at the federal level.

We commend and thank all countries that have officially recognized the crimes of ISIS terrorists against the Yezidi Kurds as genocide. We hope that the international community will help us alleviate the suffering of our Yezidi brothers and sisters and return the refugees to their homes with pride and freedom.

Dear all,

Despite all the suffering and misery they faced, it is a matter of joy and pride that the victims of ISIS continue to work hard and tirelessly. Many of them have become examples and symbols of skill, resilience, success, and inspiration for us all.

I was pleased to present the Honorary Resistance Award to one of the survivors of ISIS, Ms. Shirin Khero Khudeda, at the graduation ceremony of American University of Kurdistan students in Duhok last month. She successfully completed her studies and obtained her academic qualifications. Her experience is an unprecedented story of resilience; despite being kidnapped and detained for several years by ISIS, she insisted on continuing her studies and became a symbol of resistance for our Yezidi brothers and sisters.

The Yezidi brothers and sisters are an important and integral part of the Kurdish nation, and their religious ceremonies are conducted in the pure Kurdish language. Despite all the conspiracies and attempts of the enemies to separate them from the Kurdish nation, they have always remained an original component of the Kurdish nation and will continue to be an important part of coexistence in the Kurdistan Region.

This financial support project is a monthly donation to more than 3,000 Yezidi sisters who survived the hands of ISIS. Of course, in an attempt to improve the financial situation, we will expand our assistance to these loved ones. We will provide all necessary support to ensure they have a decent life and help heal a small part of their wounds, especially in finding job opportunities, continuing their education, and receiving medical treatment.

It is appropriate to thank President Barzani and the heroic Peshmergas. After Kurdistan fell into the hands of ISIS terrorists, President Barzani promised he would not rest until Sinjar was liberated. He decided to lead the fight to liberate Sinjar, and we accompanied his efforts, which took 100 days.

Many have tried to misrepresent this story, but know that the Yezidis and our Yezidi brothers and sisters have always been in the heart of President Barzani, who has shown more concern for them than anyone else. President Barzani and his Peshmergas did everything they could to restore the pride and dignity of the Yezidis and to defeat ISIS terrorists. We are grateful to the heroic Peshmergas who sacrificed their lives to liberate Sinjar.

Today, we are here to express our gratitude for the resistance of our Yezidi people. Despite all the misery and oppression they have faced, they have resisted, maintained their identity, and not lost hope.

May God bless you, may Kurdistan prosper, and may our Yezidi brothers and sisters live a proud and free life.

Finally, we pay tribute to the souls of the victims of the Sinjar massacre and the genocide of the Yezidis and the whole of Kurdistan.