Iraqi troops ambushed a vehicle of Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) fighters in Shengal city center on the night of 18 March. According to a statement released by the YBŞ Command on 20 March, five YBŞ fighters in the vehicle were taken prisoner by Iraqi soldiers and some of them were wounded.

Following the attack against YBŞ fighters, the Iraqi army deployed a large number of troops to the center of Shengal.

In the early morning of 19 March, 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 continues.

People of Shengal staged a protest march against the Sudani government and the Iraqi army's attack on Shengal and detention of 5 YBŞ fighters.

The crowd gathered in front of the Shengal People's Assembly and marched to Zafife Ose Madrasa by chanting slogans. The protesters demanded the release of the YBŞ fighters and an end to Iraq's attacks against the Yazidi people.

After a minute of silence in front of the madrasa in memory of the martyrs of Kurdistan freedom, Sara Botan, member of the Young Women's Union of Shengal, addressed the crowd and said: “On 18 March, a dishonorable attack was carried out by the Iraqi army against the YBŞ forces. We, as the Yazidi people of Shengal, stand against these attacks and we will do everything to ensure that they remain inconclusive.”

Noting that the YBŞ fighters put up great resistance to protect their people against attacks, Sara Botan said, “This force has been protecting our people, also from attacks by the Iraqi army. We, as Yazidi people and youngsters, stand behind the YBŞ fighters and support their just struggle.”