Derya Ren - Sema Çağlak

 

DİYARBAKIR - HDP MP Feleknas Uca made evaluations about the Iraqi army's attack on Shengal on April 20, stated that the Baghdad government wanted to establish its authority in Shengal and said: "It is the mothers and Êzidî women who lead the resistance against the attacks in Shengal."

 

With the Shengal Agreement signed between the Iraqi government and the Federated Kurdistan Region Administration on October 9, 2020, the pressures and attacks against the Êzidîs have also increased. The Êzidî people started a resistance against the Iraqi army's attempt to enter the village of Gir Zerik on April 20. In response to the women's resistance, the Iraqi army had to withdraw.

 

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Batman MP and Foreign Relations Commission Co-Spokesperson Feleknas Uca made evaluations to our agency regarding the events in Shengal.

 

'Women sold in markets'

 

Reminding that there were various attacks against Êzidîs and Shengal after the 73rd Edict that ISIS wanted to make against the Êzidîs, Feleknas noted that the Iraqi government was trying to do what ISIS could not do in the 73rd Edict. Feleknas said: "The things that were kept alive in August 3, 2014, were never seen in any history. At that time, women were sold in the markets. Thousands of Êzidî women were captured by ISIS. But today, the people who survived that edict built a new life for themselves. They established their councils and defense units. They started a new life. The hopes have re-emerged. Women who escaped from ISIS joined the defense units and created a new force."

 

'They want to establish their authority in Shengal'

 

Reminding the agreement signed between the Federated Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi administration on October 9, 2020, for Shengal, Feleknas stated that a part of Shengal located in the territory of the Federated Kurdistan region, and another part is in Iraq. Feleknas stated: "The point we do not understand is that an agreement was made, but why the people of Shengal were not included in this agreement. Just as the territorial integrity of Kurdistan was broken with the Treaty of Lausanne, the lands of Shengal are wanted to be divided with this agreement. So, we express our discomfort. We are not saying why the Iraqi administration is going to Shengal. Because after Shengal got rid of the occupation, the Iraqi administration supported the Shengal Autonomous Administration. So, why do they want to enter Shengal right now with this agreement? Because the Baghdad government wants to establish its authority there."

 

'They want to break up the democratic nation'

 

Noting that Gir Zerik village in Shengal has strategic importance, Feleknas said that Gir Zerik village is a region between Kurds and Arabs. Feleknas adding that the Iraqi army cannot turn to the regions where the Shengal administration is strong, said: "Because they are faced with the resistance of the people. Therefore, they want to seize this region and enter Shengal. The US, Turkey, NATO, and many other powers, which are among the repressive powers, are carrying out their plans and projects on Shengal. They want to break up the democratic nation built in Shengal. This is the purpose of these latest attacks. However, it is worth noting that. A part of Shengal's land is in the hands of ISIS, the Baghdad administration is turning its direction to the liberated places instead of saving them."

 

'It is the women and mothers who lead the resistance'

 

Emphasizing that the defense units formed in Shengal defended Shengal in the best way, Feleknas noted that the people rely on defense units. Stating that the Kurdish people were intimidated by the attacks on the Shengal people. "The Êzidî people are one of the oldest peoples in Mesopotamia. If the Êzidî people are massacred, the Kurdish people will be massacred. Our mothers and Êzidî women are now leading the resistance in Gir Zerik village. The resistance of our mothers is a message to us. They wanted to massacre us on August 3, the women were sold in the markets. However, we now see that the Êzidî people are not the people before the 73rd Edict, but people who can rule and defend themselves. Mothers and Êzidî women showed this to us." she said.