The Yazidi town of Shengal (Sinjar), which was subjected to genocide by ISIS mercenaries on August 3, 2014, was liberated on November 13, 2015, after months of resistance led by HPG guerrillas and Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ). The people of Shengal formed their self-defence and self-government as the greatest response to further massacres and betrayal in Shengal.

Having declared its Democratic Autonomous Administration, Shengal became the target of both the Turkish state and South Kurdistan’s ruling party, KDP. While armed groups affiliated with the KDP and the Turkish army launched attacks in 2017, the central Iraqi government also resorted to various methods to eliminate the autonomy in Shengal.

On 15 August 2018, İsmail Özden (Mam Zeki Şengali) fell martyr in a targeted operation conducted by the Turkish state and its local collaborators on 15 August 2018. On 16 August 2021, the Turkish state targeted the vehicle of YBŞ Commander Seîd Hesen in the old bazaar in Shengal downtown at noon. Seîd Hesen Seîd and his nephew Îsa Xweda, who was a YBŞ fighter, were killed, and three other people were injured.

The Turkish state carried out airstrikes on the Sikêniyê Hospital in Shengal on August 17, 2021, killing eight people and injuring more than 20 others. The Ministry of Justice of Turkey asserted that 10 PKK members had been “neutralized” in the airstrikes.

The General Command of the Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) released a statement on the anniversary of Mam Zeki Shengali’s martyrdom, commemorating the martyrs who fell in the month of August.

‘We commemorate all August martyrs and renew our promise to honour their memories,’ said the statement, which further included the following:

“The month of August has a great meaning and importance in our history as a people and movement. This month has two aspects in our history. On the one hand, it is commemorated with massacres, tragedies, sufferings and migrations, and on the other hand, with the 15 August Initiative (when the PKK fired the first bullet at the Turkish army), it means struggle, sacrifice, breaking the wall of fear and developing the spirit of resistance. Knowing the meaning of August to us and our people means knowing ourselves, knowing our history, and acting according to the spirit and needs of the process and the era.

In this month, there were many tragedies, such as the genocide of 3 August, the massacre of Tilizêr and Sîba on 14 August, the massacre of Kocho on 15 August, the explosion in Sinun on 29 August, the attack on the civilian hospital in Sikiniye on 17 August, the martyrdom of Mam Zeki on 15 August, the martyrdom of H. Said on 16 August. Again, there are dozens of such events in our history.

Likewise, the 15 August Initiative, which means re-existence, known as the Resurrection Day of our people; is the day of freedom and resistance against Turkish state fascism and enemies, the day our people again recognised themselves and raised the struggle.

The YBŞ wanted to destroy this tradition in which the enemy developed demoralisation and disbelief in the shadow of these massacres, the 3 August genocide, Tilizêr, Sîba and Kocho massacres and the martyrdom of Mam Zeki, H. Said and dozens of his companions.

The attack on Mam Zeki, the labourer of our foundation, the leader of our struggle, the pillar of our alliance, is a historical revenge attack against Êzidxan (Yazidi land), the oppressed people and freedom. The attack on Mam Zeki is part of the plan to complete the genocide. When we think of Mam Zeki, we think of 40 years of struggle, labour and the organisation and unity of our people.

Similarly, our great and honourable commander H. Said, together with his companion and nephew H. Isa, was targeted by the fascist Turkish state in an unfortunate conspiracy on 16 August 2021. Together with his comrades in the freedom struggle, H. Said played a key role in the organisation of the people of Shengal, the establishment of the YBŞ, the organisation of PADÊ (Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party) and self-administration institutions. Comrade Said, together with his companions, worked hard to promote the ideology of the Leader and the reality of martyrdom. He also played an important role in the organisation of the democratic nation system to build a peaceful life and a free future and spent every moment promoting Leader Öcalan’s ideology. His nephew and comrade H. Isa also had a very honourable stance. He was a successful, modest and respectful person who always fulfilled his duties and responsibilities.

Comrades Dîndar, Sîpan, Hecî, Qîran, Pîr Xidir, Amargî and Serhed were also known and recognised for their determination, commitment, hard work and sacrifice. These comrades played a great role in the war against ISIS. The targeted attack on them was aimed at avenging the defeat of ISIS. We can defend and express ourselves by ensuring our unity under the roof of the Democratic Nation in the shadow of our martyrs.

As YBŞ and YJŞ forces, we will avenge all August martyrs in the person of Mam Zeki, Comrade Said, those martyred in the Kocho massacre, the martyrs of Siba and Tilizêr explosion. Our 10-year struggle has shown that every drop of blood of our martyrs improves us and takes us one step forward. Every drop of blood of our martyrs will be the pillar of the unity of our people and the growth of YBŞ and YJŞ. On this basis, we commemorate all our martyrs of the freedom struggle with respect, grace and gratitude. We renew our promise to realise their dreams and goals of living in a free country with a free leader.”