Êzidî women: We chose to resist, we will not allow another edict
Êzidî women have continued to react to the Shengal (Sinjar) Agreement signed between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on October 9, 2020. “We have chosen to resist against the agreement and threats. The time is the time to defend our honor,” said Êzidî women living in Hasekê city of NE Syria.
VIYAN SEID
Shengal- On October 9, 2020, the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) signed an agreement called, “Sinjar Agreement”. Yesterday, the Êzidî Women's Freedom Movement (TAJÊ) and Shengal Women Units (YJŞ) held a press conference against the agreement. At the conference, the women said that they will never accept the agreement and resist the agreement.
Shengal- On October 9, 2020, the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) signed an agreement called, “Sinjar Agreement”. Yesterday, the Êzidî Women's Freedom Movement (TAJÊ) and Shengal Women Units (YJŞ) held a press conference against the agreement. At the conference, the women said that they will never accept the agreement and resist the agreement.
At the conference, as NuJINHA, we talked to Fehîma Silêman, member of the Êzidî Women's Freedom Movement (TAJÊ), Sara Şengalî, member of the Êzidî Young Women's Units and Nalîn Reşo and Renda Hisên, members of Hasekê Êzidîs’ House.
“We chose the resistance together with our children”
TAJÊ member Fehîma Silêman stated that they will not accept any decision taken about Shengal and the will of Shengal’s people, “The Iraqi government and its partners have always made plans to annihilate us. We will defend ourselves and our lands against these plans. We preferred standing by our children; we chose the resistance. During the edict against us, the Iraqi and Hewler governments didn’t defend us, they ran away. But now, they are trying to take our lands from us. They should know that we will never leave our lands to them. We will always resist and we will never leave our lands. We will not accept any other forces to control our lands.”
Êzidî Young Women's Units member Sara Şengalî told us that they will never accept living in slavery under pressure, “We condemn the agreement signed on October 9. Everyone should know that we will never accept such plans and agreements. We will disappoint all agreements signed without us with our resistance. The Iraqi government tries to break our will with such attacks and threats. Our mountains and lands are our honor; we will never surrender our honor to anyone. These mountains have belonged to us for centuries and they will continue to belong to us.”
“Where were you when Daesh attacked us?”
All Êzidî people are concerned about the military pressure on Shengal by the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government after the signature of the agreement. Êzidîs, who have faced many edicts and have always been left alone, told us they only trust in their forces no other forces to protect themselves. Êzidîs living in the Hasekê city of NE Syria are also concerned about the situation.
“We do not accept the agreement. We want to defend ourselves. Now, the Iraqi army wants to enter Shengal. Where were you when Daesh attacked us? After the liberation of Shengal, they want to come here and take the control of Shengal. As Êzidî women, we will never accept any forces to defend us; we just accept our forces to defend us. We paid a heavy price to have our own defense force,” said Nalîn Reşo, member of the Hasekê Êzidîs’ House.
Nalîn reminded thousands of Êzidî women who were abducted by Daesh, “There are many Êzidî women who are still in the hands of Daesh. If the Iraqi army controls Shengal, it will be another edict against us. Êzidî families, whose daughters are in the hands of Daesh, will not allow other forces to take the control of Shengal.”
“We will not allow another edict”
Renda Hisên is also a member of the Hasekê Êzidîs’ House. She told us she supported Êzidî women who chose to resist in Shengal, “We will never leave them alone. If the Iraqi army enters Shengal, it will be another edict against Êzidî people. For this reason, as Êzidî community, women, children, and elders, we must resist the Iraqi army until the last drop of our blood. The last edict against us was very hard for us; we still feel pain and have wounds. We will never forget it as long as we live. The existence of our military force gives us confidence and they will not allow other edicts to be carried out against us. The Iraqi army wants to conquer Shengal, but they will no longer be able to do so.”