EU Ambassador urges KRG, Iraqi Federal Government to stabilize Sinjar

ERBIL (Kurdista24) – On Saturday, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Iraq, Thomas Seiler, called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi Federal Government, particularly urging the latter, to address the instability in the region and find a fundamental solution for Sinjar and its surrounding areas.

Marking the 10th anniversary of the genocide of the Yezidis, Ambassador Seiler delivered a poignant speech. "Today I have come here to deliver a speech. In recent years, the necessary services have not been provided to the Yezidis, including electricity, education, and other essential services," he stated.

Reflecting on the current situation, Seiler noted, "Some of the Yezidis have returned to Sinjar, but we all know that the stability of Sinjar is not fully protected for those who have returned to feel their freedom and rights."

The Ambassador made a strong appeal to the Iraqi government, stating, "The European Union calls on the Iraqi government to find a fundamental solution for the region, and we call on the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to end the instability in the region."

He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts, saying, "I call on both governments, especially the Baghdad government, to work to ensure stability and reconstruction of Sinjar, including the surrounding areas."

While acknowledging some progress, Seiler expressed concerns over the persistent instability. "I feel positive signs about the coordination between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the central government, but unfortunately, the instability has not been ended so far. We have made all diplomatic efforts with both governments to this end; however, these solutions are short-term solutions. There ought to be a permanent solution to allow the displaced persons of Sinjar and all residents of that area to return to their homes," he concluded.

Seiler's remarks highlight the EU's commitment to supporting the stabilization and reconstruction of Sinjar, urging both regional and federal authorities to take decisive action for the betterment of the Yezidi community and the region as a whole.

During the attack on August 3, 2014, Mount Sinjar became the sole refuge for Yezidis fleeing ISIS terrorists.

Many Yezidis endured years on the mountain, some reaching West Kurdistan before returning through the Fishkhabour/Semalka border crossing, while others resettled in various cities across the Kurdistan Region or emigrated abroad.

The ISIS attack led to the deaths of over 5,000 Yezidi Kurds and left approximately 2,745 children orphaned.

The attack displaced more than 325,000 Yezidis, with the latest statistics from the Kurdistan Region’s Presidency’s Kidnapped Yezidis Rescue Office indicating that 135,860 Yezidi Kurds have been relocated within the Kurdistan Region, 189,337 have been displaced to Kurdish territories outside KRG control, and over 100,000 have migrated to other countries.

According to these statistics, ISIS terrorists kidnapped 6,417 Yezidi Kurds, with 3,576 rescued to date, while over 2,600 remain missing. More than 85 mass graves and several individual graves of Yezidis have been discovered in Sinjar and its surroundings.