Civil society organizations in the Yazidi city of Shengal (Sinjar) in northern Iraq made a statement regarding five fighters of the Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) who were wounded and detained in an ambush set by the Iraqi army on March 18.

The statement made in front of the Statue of Heroes in the village of Salox called on Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia' al-Sudani to release the fighters.

The statement also called for the safe return of the people displaced by war to their land and the urgent provision of basic services to end the suffering of thousands of families who have been living in difficult conditions for years.

Background

On March 18, the Iraqi army set up an ambush in Shengal and took five fighters of the Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) prisoner, injuring a commander and two fighters.

Following the attack against YBŞ fighters, the Iraqi army deployed a large number of troops to the center of Shengal. On March 19, the residents of Shengal started resistance against the army. Women and young people led the resistance, which eventually forced the Iraqi forces to withdraw two days later. However, since the wounded fighters who were taken prisoner have not yet been released, protests by the residents continue.

Despite intense reactions, the fighters have not yet been released.

On March 30, the families demanding the release of the fighters sent a letter to human rights organizations, the UN, the EU and the 14 states that recognized the 74th mass slaughter against Yazidis as genocide to put international pressure on Baghdad.

On April 2, families started a sit-in protest in front of the Iraqi Intelligence Center in central Shengal, demanding the immediate release of their children.

The mothers remain determined to continue their action until they see their children freed.