Shengal- On August 14, 2007, suicide attacks were carried out in Til Ezel and Siba Sheikh Khidir, two Yazidi villages in Shengal. More than 600 people were killed and thousands were injured in the attacks carried out four bomb-laden vehicles. A commemoration was held in Shengal by the Autonomous Administration and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) with the participation of hundreds of the people to mark the 15th anniversary of the massacres.

On August 14, 2007, four bomb-laden vehicles hit two Yazidi villages: Til Ezel and Siba Sheikh Khidir in Shengal. The suicide bombings killed more than 600 people and injured more than 700 people and destroyed more than 250 houses and workplaces. The KDP forces left the villages two hours before the suicide bombing. There is no information about the injured people, who were taken to hospitals by helicopters. On the 15th anniversary of the massacre, the Yazidi women attending the commemoration said, “The Yazidi community must rise up and fight for the autonomy of Shengal in order not to face more massacres.”

“The eighth month is a black month for the Yazidis”

At the commemoration, NuJINHA spoke to Wetha Şegnalî, a member of the Yazidi Free Women's Movement (Tevgera Azadiya Jinên Êzîdî-TAJÊ). “The eighth month of the year is a black month for the Yazidis. Today marks the 15th anniversary of the massacre in Til Ezel and Siba Sheikh Khidir. Our expectation from all Yazidi people is not to forget this day and to commemorate it every year. As the mothers of Shengal, we will remember those who were killed on that day as long as we live. We should hold marches and commemorations every year to commemorate them.”

“They betrayed us”

Pointing to the betrayal of the KDP, Wetha Şengalî said, “Those who were supposedly responsible for the defense of Til Ezel and Siba Sheikh Khidir betrayed us. They are also responsible for this massacre killing children, women and young people. Brutal people carried out this massacre; they abducted and sexually abused our girls. This month is full of massacres for the Yazidi people.”

“We should keep resisting”

Besîma, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, also spoke to NuJıNHA and said, “We are here to commemorate those who lost their lives on August 14, 2007. Hundreds people were killed in the suicide bombings. August 14 is the anniversary of the suicide bombings in Til Ezel and Siba Sheikh Khidir while August 3 is the anniversary of the genocide committed against us by ISIS. For this reason, August is a black month for us. The Yazidis should continue to resist in order not allow more massacres to be carried out against them.”