HSM Headquarters Command promised to do everything for the liberation of Shengal, so that hundreds of hostages are freed and Êzîdî people can freely express themselves and their free will in an environment of victory and hope.
People's Defense Center (HSM) Headquarters Command has released a statement on the anniversary of the Shengal genocide perpetrated by ISIS gangs against the Kurdish Êzîdî people in South Kurdistan.
Condemning the perpetrators of the savage genocide vehemently, and describing it as a black mark of humanity in the 21st century, HSM commemorated all the people martyred in this genocide and in the following resistance, the youths and fighters of the Êzîdî people, guerrillas and peshmergas, and pledged to liberate Shengal and Kurdistan to honor their memory. HSM also vowed to bring the powers behind this mass killing to book.
'WE WOULD OBVIOUSLY NOT REMAIN SILENT TO THE ISIS EXECUTIONS IN SHENGAL'
“It was obvious that the Kurdish freedom and guerrilla forces wouldn't remain silent to the ISIS executions in Shengal on seeing that those meant to defend that region retreated from the scene instead of resisting”, said HSM Headquarters Command and recalled the followings as to how Shengal survived ISIS genocide one year ago.
"Risking all the dangers, HPG started an initiative to stop the genocide against Êzîdî people through an intervention in Shengal area on August 3.
Battalion forces dispatched to Shengal on August 3,4 and 5, also with the support of YPG, took 150 thousand Êzîdî people under their protection on Mount Sinjar, and started their delivery into Rojava through a corridor as of August 8.
Thanks to the brave self-sacrificing comrades, this genocide against the Êzîdî people was stopped, yet thousands of people were abducted by ISIS gangs during the first two days, and hundreds of them were massacred."
The statement by HSM also recalled that the Kurdish freedom movement alongside the women, youths and individuals from the Êzîdî community who stayed in Shengal and joined the resistance waged a fight against ISIS gangs for four and a half months with great commitment, courage, determination and sense of patriotism.
HSM Headquarters Command underlined that; “Despite the fact that the resistance averted a greater massacre and the north of Shengal has been liberated, it is an obvious truth that the entire Shengal territory is yet to be liberated, and the victims of the genocide are yet to be avenged. It is political but not military problems that creates an obstacle to the achievement of this goal. A part of the Shengal town and lands still remains occupied by ISIS due to the failure of the Kurdish politics to achieve the unity and association in itself. This situation remains a significant matter of self-criticism for the Kurdish politics.”
‘THE FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENOCIDE WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF SHENGAL’S LIBERATION’
People’s Defense Center Headquarters Command stated that the first year anniversary of the genocide by ISIS, based on colonialism and described as ‘edict’ by Êzîdî people, would be the beginning of Shengal’s liberation. The Command noted that resistance against the colonialism of AKP, which has an ideological affinity with ISIS, would also be interpreted as a struggle against ISIS, and defeating ISIS would imply defeating AKP, due to the relationship between the two. The Command promised that they would fulfill all of their responsibilities so that the people of Shengal gain victory in their struggle against ISIS.
‘WE WILL DO EVERYTHING FOR THE LIBERATION OF SHENGAL’
In its statement, the Command emphasized the importance of Leader Apo’s framework in the struggle of guerrilla forces, which would exhibit an increased military performance based on the self-defense of all peoples of Kurdistan in the coming period. The Command promised that they would do everything for the liberation of Shengal, so that hundreds of hostages are freed and Êzîdî people can freely express themselves and their free will in an environment of victory and hope.
The Command noted that its guerrilla forces had been waiting for the development of a national policy which would include all forces stationed in Shengal, but would act on its own if necessary, in addition to its pledge to develop joint action through the perspective of national unity.
HSM ended its statement by emphasizing its determination to do everything for the liberation of Shengal, people’s victory and freedom, and revenge of martyrs who died during the genocide.
