Shengal Constituent Assembly member Heso Brahim spoke to ANF on the Turkish state's attack and goals on Shengal.

Heso Brahim said: "The attack on Mount Shengal is a savage one that serves the goal of supporting ISIS. The fighters targeted in the attack struck the hearts of the Turks with fear as they made the headlines with their heroic resistance in Shengal. The areas attacked by Turkey now have witnessed great heroism and bravery so far. If the Turkish state is fighting terrorism, then why did it not send its warplanes to Shengal when ISIS attacked?

“THE TARGET OF AIRSTRIKES IS SHENGAL'S AUTONOMY”

They know that the people of Shengal are marching towards freedom and autonomy. KDP and the Turkish state collaborate and try to prevent us from attaining freedom and autonomy because this does not serve their interests. They do not want the Êzidî people to rebuild themselves. Their goals are rooted in the Ottoman era, they have been trying to destroy Êzidî people since those times.

“THEY ARE THE ACTUAL TERRORISTS”

There is no case of a 'terrorist organization' saving a people from massacre in the world history. The actual terrorists are those who massacre and target peoples. Therefore, the PKK is not terrorist. What the PKK does is reaching out to the peoples and protecting them from massacres. The areas of Qahe, Kersê and Amud targeted by the Turkish state's airstrikes are sacred places for Ezidxan people where a struggle for survival is being waged. They attacked these areas on purpose.

Their goal is actually to attack the root of the Kurds. If the only issue were the PKK, they would attack all four parts of Kurdistan where the PKK is present. Nobody should fool themselves; the goal of these attacks is to destroy Ezidxan not the PKK. They attacked the PKK also in 2007 when great attacks were carried out in Shengal. The KDP was here when the 73rd massacre took place on August 3, 2014. KDP abandoned Shengal and fled. KDP forces tried to cross into Rojava through Shengal on March 3 and this reveals their enmity towards Shengal."

“PKK SHOULD NOT LEAVE US AT SUCH A TIME”

Criticizing the claims that the PKK remains in Shengal illegally, Brahim asked: "Why doesn't anyone say anything about Masoud Barzani whose term officially ended 2 years ago?"

Brahim continued: “It is mostly these circles that claim PKK is acting illegally. They are the ones that remain in power through force. It is Masoud Barzani himself that brought the PKK to Shengal. Now, they use the PKK as an excuse to regain power but they will be the ones to take their peshmergas away and flee once another attack is launched. If PKK forces choose to leave, we will see them off with roses and smiles back to the mountains where they came from. However, if this is not the case, we Êzidî people do not want the PKK to leave. If the PKK leaves us at such a critical time, we Êzidîs will never forgive."

“WE WILL FRUSTRATE THIS ATTACK AS WELL”

Brahim recalled that Êzidîs frustrated the March 3 attack with a great resistance and will frustrate the recent airstrikes too with the same spirit of resistance. He stressed that: "Erdoğan and Barzani are carrying out these attacks because they are afraid of the YBŞ, Shengal Assembly and Êzidî fighters. They know that when Êzidî people become a force, they will bring those responsible for the 73rd massacre to account. This is why they are attacking us. We must enhance the resistance in order to bring the responsible to account. Today is the day of the Êzidî people and Tawusê Melek (Peacock Angel)."

CALL TO THE ÊZİDİ PEOPLE

Shengal Constituent Assembly member Heso Brahim called upon Êzidîs across the world to enhance the resistance and stand for the sacred lands of Ezidxan. Describing Rojava as the sole lifeline of Shengal, Brahim underlined that they could foil the attacks on this lifeline as long as they remain united and act together with the people of Rojava.