Shingal— On November 13, 2015, the city of Sinjar was liberated from ISIS after more than a year of occupation, during which ISIS committed massacres against the Yazidi community, killing thousands and abducting women and children.

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Sinjar’s liberation, the city center witnessed a celebration on Friday, November 14, organized by the Yazidi Women’s Freedom Movement (TAJÊ) in cooperation with the Autonomous Administration. During the event, participating women expressed their feelings and highlighted the significance of this day for them.

Filus Barakat, a member of the Tal Ezzer Council in the Yazidi Women’s Freedom Movement, congratulated the people of Sinjar on the tenth anniversary of their city’s liberation. She emphasized that the day carries meanings of loyalty to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives defending the land and dignity: “We remember the martyrs of Sinjar and bow before their sacrifices. Today, we celebrate alongside the mothers and children of the martyrs the tenth anniversary of Sinjar’s liberation from ISIS. As a Yazidi community, we also extend our congratulations to Leader Abdullah Öcalan on this occasion.”

She noted that the oppression carried out by ISIS against the Yazidi community in Sinjar marked the beginning of a broader resistance across many regions. Fighters and resistance forces confronted ISIS, and thanks to the martyrs’ blood, women were rescued from the clutches of the terrorist groups. She stressed: “The continuation of life in Sinjar today is due to these sacrifices. The liberation of our daughters and mothers from ISIS captivity continues because of them.”

Barakat emphasized that the Yazidi community must always remain steadfast and resist. “If we unite as we did ten years ago, reclaiming our land and achieving victory, we can succeed once again today.”

“We support the resistance of Sinjar’s people and women”

Zriyan Botan, a member of the Golden Star group, expressed her joy during the celebration: “We came from the Makhmur camp and began our celebration of Sinjar’s liberation to honor the martyrs’ souls. I am very happy to be here; this is my first visit to this land. Sinjar is a beautiful city that gave me energy and high spirits. I visited the holy sites and historical locations of our Yazidi community and met its kind people, which brought me great happiness. As women from Makhmur, we affirm that we will continue supporting the resistance of Sinjar’s people and women until the end, and we wish them success and prosperity always