The General Command of Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) made a written statement on the 9th anniversary of the liberation of Shengal from ISIS. The statement pointed out that Shengal was liberated thanks to the call of Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) and the resistance of the Yazidi people who faced many massacres and genocides.

The statement emphasised that the Yazidi people faced massacres because they were without organization and self-defence and said, “After the KDP betrayal and the genocide of 3 August 2014 through ISIS, this reality came to light more clearly. As the Yazidi people, we aimed to put an end to genocides by establishing YBŞ and YJŞ (Shengal Women’s Units) within the framework of Leader Apo's paradigm and with the institutions and organisations affiliated to the Autonomous Administration.”

YBŞ noted that hundreds of commanders and freedom fighters were martyred for the liberation of Shengal and that the Turkish state and its collaborator KDP continued to attack these gains. The statement emphasised that Shengal was liberated with the ideas of Leader Apo and the resistance of the Yazidi people who embraced these ideas, and vowed that the resistance and struggle would continue.

Pointing out that history will never forget the martyrs Egîd, Dilşêr, Saîd, Medya, Berxwedan, Nûjîn, Cîger, Bêrîvan and Berfîn, the statement said, “We remember all our comrades with gratitude. We call on all our people and all the people of the region to unite, not to remain silent and to show the necessary attitude against the schemes and plans targeting their will.”

Calling for expansion of organisation and struggle, YBŞ General Command concluded: “We will crown this struggle with victory by advancing relentlessly in the footsteps of our heroes who sacrificed their lives for their people. On this basis, we commemorate all the martyrs since the first corridor was established, and we bow to their memories with respect. We reiterate our promise to our heroes to bring the struggle they handed over to us to victory.”