The Êzidxan Women's Freedom Movement (Tevgera Azadiya Jinên Êzidxanê -TAJÊ) said in a written statement that the Turkish state and its mercenary gangs forcibly took Ezidis to mosque in the attempt of making them convert to Islam by force.

TAJÊ stated that Ezidi women in Afrin were abducted and sold as they were in Shengal and confirmed that the Ezidi society has been subjected not only to physical aggression, but also to other kind of attacked aimed at destroying them culturally.

The statement said, among other things: “All the peoples of the Middle East who defended their own existence and protected their cultures in the 21st century have been targeted by the sovereign power. Repeated genocide policies are being carried out by the ruling powers against the Ezidi people, Mesopotamia's oldest culture and somehow the very essence of Kurdish culture. These attacks on the Ezidi society are not only physical. These attacks are also about destroying its cultural heritage, historical and sacred places, as well as the Ezidi beliefs, their ideas and spirit.

TAJÊ draws attention to the inhuman practices the Ezidi society have been subjected to in Afrin:

"In the last period, the dominant barbarian powers, saying to be acting on behalf of Islam in order to dominate the Middle East and implement their murderous politics, have attacked the Ezidi society: this policy is well documented by what happened in Shengal. Just as these genocide policies were being perpetrated in Shengal, now they would like to implement them in Afrin”, the statement reads.

And it goes on: “In Afrin, the places where the Ezidi society lived have been targeted. The Ezidi culture, historical sites, sacred places were burned down by the fascists, who plundered them. They wanted to destroy the historical consciousness of the society. They have evacuated 22 villages where the Ezidi community was living and brought Arab and Turkmen people to replace the old citizens. These people do not belong there but the regime wants to change the demography of Afrin. Nevertheless, despite this fascist attack, some members of the Ezidi community bound to the land did not leave their villages. As the Turkish state and mercenary gangs did in Shengal, they have abducted and sold Ezidi women, forced the Ezidi people to go to mosques forcing them to convert”. 

The statement also underlines that: “Throughout history, the culture, beliefs and thought of the Ezidis have been exposed to this kind of attacks and have been targeted. And within the Ezidi society, Ezidi women are a privileged target. And this is because they want to destroy the Ezidi women who are the protectors of culture and life”.

Calling to join forces and carry out a joined struggle, TAJÊ says: "Let us be united in defence of the Ezidi society now living in Afrin, as we have been united in defending the Ezidis in Shengal. Let’s be united in exposing the lies and the repressive policies carried out in the name of security. Let’s carry out a joined struggle against the fascism of the dominant state. All women fighting for freedom: let's break the attacks on the Ezidi women. Let's take part in the resistance in Afrin and step up the struggle till victory”.