SHINGAL– Amid the continuation of wars and crises in the Middle East, oppressed peoples continue their struggle to preserve their identity and existence in the face of genocide, denial, and marginalization. After the genocide of 3 August 2014, the Yazidi community reorganized itself, establishing systems for protection and self-administration, and today seeks to distance itself from existing conflicts and find solutions to them.

In this context, the forces of the Yazidi community in Shingal, according to the perspective of leader Abdullah Öcalan, are conducting negotiations with the Iraqi government with the aim of achieving democratic integration. Although the Iraqi side has put forward some promises during the meetings, they have not yet taken an official character, and the upcoming developments in Shingal and Iraq remain unclear. In light of this, the People's Council in Shingal held a meeting to inform the residents of the latest developments.

"We Want to Be Recognized as Yazidis Within the Iraqi Constitution"

Teacher Khalida Ibrahim explained that the meeting addressed a number of issues and witnessed discussions that contributed to clarifying many points. "Our integration with the Iraqi state should be based on recognizing our military force and our civil institutions. We want to achieve democratic integration with the state through legal frameworks, considering that as our right as Yazidis. Despite the difference in our nationality, religion, and beliefs, we are part of the Iraqi identity, and we form an essential component of Iraq's components. Therefore, we want to be recognized as Yazidis within the Iraqi Constitution."

Regarding the establishment of the Shingal Resistance Units (YBŞ) and the Shingal Women's Units (YJŞ), she said: "Our military force built itself from the ashes of the genocide. There is a great will among Yazidi girls and youth to protect the Yazidi community and the land of Shingal. We do not want this force to leave Shingal to another place, because there is a particular need to protect the community, women, children, and our holy places. Our community possesses the strength and will to protect itself by itself."

She added: "A process has now begun, and meetings have been held between our forces and the Iraqi government forces. The committees that have been formed must meet in order to achieve democratic integration, and the necessary discussions must take place to solve the problems of the Yazidis and Shingal."

Teacher Khalida mentioned that the Yazidi community has passed through many genocides and tragedies throughout its history, confirming that its reality today has become different. "We today possess our will. We will not accept any matter that does not serve the interests of the Yazidi community or contradicts the law. If otherwise is imposed on us, we will resist. We are not the community of 2003, 2007, or 2014. We have rebuilt ourselves from our ashes, and today we possess great faith, will, and strength."

"Mount Shingal Is the Refuge of Our Yazidi Community"

For her part, the co-president of the Foundation for the Families of Martyrs in Shingal, Bakiz Jalal, said: "It is difficult for us to accept the demands put forward by the state, foremost among them giving up our weapons and our mountains, and we will not accept these demands. We, as a Yazidi community, are the children of these mountains and this land, and we will continue to defend Mount Shingal. Handing over our mountains and valleys to Iraq will be, for us, more severe than genocide. Mount Shingal represents a refuge for our Yazidi community, and it embraced and supported our community in the face of the genocides it was subjected to throughout history. If our mountains fall into the hands of others, we will lose our support."

"Thousands of Yazidis Are Still Unable to Visit Lalish"

She noted that the Yazidi community used to live in the mountains. "The Baath government came and brought us down from the mountains, and it also confiscated our community's weapons. After that, it asked the Yazidis to send their sons to fight in its wars. Thousands of our sons sacrificed their lives for Iraq, and until today the remains of many of them have not returned, while our wounds as Yazidis remain open and are constantly renewed."

She added: "But our mountains, our homeland, and our land are what can heal our wounds. The repeated genocides and attacks have taken the best of our sons from us. We ask mercy for our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their belief. We ask God and Melek Tawus to send water upon this fire in whose midst the world lives. Our hope from God is that victory will be the ally of our Yazidi community and our fighters."

She pointed out that "if democratic integration is achieved, perhaps our children will be able to live with greater comfort. Until now, thousands of Yazidis are still unable to visit Lalish due to the current conditions in Iraq. If their status is officially recognized, perhaps the pressures imposed on them will ease, and they will be able to continue protecting their land and homeland, and protecting their mothers and sisters."

"We Will Continue Our Work and Struggle Anew"

Bakiz Jalal stressed the importance of continuing the struggle. "On the day these forces were founded, we made a pledge before our martyrs. Even if integration is achieved, we will continue our work and our struggle. We, the mothers of the martyrs, are ready to sacrifice everything we own if necessary."

She explained: "We realize that this issue cannot be solved through one meeting. Building a house is not done in one day, and its foundations, roof, and dwelling in it cannot be completed in one day. We will continue to protect Shingal, our community, and our children. We are the source of strength and support for our children, and the hearts of all our Yazidi mothers are attached to their children and to Shingal. We will continue our work as before, and we will remain by the side of our children. As long as we are alive, we will not abandon them. It does not matter to which nationality they belong or whether they are Yazidis; they are all our children."