SHENGAL – The Iraqi attacks on the self-governing Yazidi region of Shengal in South Kurdistan continue to escalate. After the Iraqi military tried to take control of check-points of the Êzidxan Asayiş (the security forces of the democratic self-governing region), near Dugire on Monday, the Iraqi military attacked Asayiş positions in Sinune, Shengal and Xanesor.
At 2 am on Tuesday morning, the security forces attacked the Cidalê checkpoint near Tilezer. Clashes were reported there. The army then attacked positions of the Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) and the Shengal Women’s Units (YJŞ) in Geliyê Silo and Sikêniye. The fighting for the positions continues.
The Iraqi army is transporting reinforcements to the areas under the control of the YBŞ and YJŞ. Apparently a major attack is being prepared. The Iraqi army’s attacks on Shengal come in parallel with the Turkish army’s invasion offensive on the Medya Defense Zones, launched on 17 April. At the same time, the attacks on Rojava are escalating.
Shengal Democratic Autonomous Assembly vows to resist against all attacks
Making a written statement regarding the attacks launched by the Iraqi army on Shengal, the Shengal Democratic Autonomous Assembly (MXDS) said that the Iraqi army was behaving like the “Turkish army”.
The MXDS said the attack was coordinated with the KDP and the Turkish state and added: “As it is known, the Yazidi people celebrate Çarşema Nisanê these days. Our people could not return to Shengal at this time due to the dirty politics of ISIS and the enemy. Our people hoped to celebrate this holiday in their homeland. For this purpose, they continued the preparations for the feast. However, on Monday evening, a force affiliated with the central Government attacked in the Êzdîxan Public Security in the town of Digur.
Iraq launched a direct attack without talking to our administration. Civilians and Êzidîxan security forces were injured. After the attack, the soldiers wanted to take control of the public order center, but due to the common sense of the Êzdîxan Public Security Forces, there was no war. Efforts were made to end this conflict. However, at 2 am on Tuesday morning, a group of Iraqi soldiers detained the Êzdîxan public order forces on the Cidal road in the town of Tilizêr. There were clashes again.
The attack was not limited to the Êzdîxan public order, but aimed to break the will of the Yazidi, and Iraq sent a group of soldiers to the regions under the control of the YBŞ and YJŞ. The attacks of the Iraqi army on our Êzdîxan forces continue at the moment when we are making a statement.
On this basis, we express to our people and friends that these attacks continue in the most brutal way. These attacks respond to the plans of the Turkish state who wants to break the will of our people. The Iraqi army is acting like the Turkish army in this attack and it seems indeed that this attack was coordinated with the KDP and the Turkish state.”
The statement continued: “We, as the Shengal Democratic Autonomous Assembly, state that as the Yazidi people did not bow to the 74 edicts against them will resist these attacks to the end. We have no other way than to resist, to protect our people and our gains.
Finally, we call on our people and all sectors to raise their voice against these attacks. This attack on Shengal is not independent of previous edicts, plans and the 9 October agreement. This attack started after Mesrour Barzani met with Erdogan. For this reason, we call on our young people to join this resistance and support the defense forces. This resistance will continue until our victory, because Iraq has been informed that they are responsible for any conflict that may arise.”
