After the ISIS onslaught on 3 August 2014, the Yazidi town of Shengal in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) was liberated on 13 November 2015 thanks to a months-long struggle led by the PKK guerrillas and YPG/YPJ fighters.

The Yazidi settlement area Shengal (Sinjar) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is the last contiguous settlement area of the Yazidi community. Thousands of Yazidis were murdered and thousands of women and children were taken prisoner in the 3 August 2014 onslaught on Shengal by ISIS militants. While ISIS gangs began murdering Yazidis in Shengal, the Peshmerga left, leaving the Yazidis behind, unprotected. The guerrillas of HPG (People’s Defense Forces) and YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) and fighters of the YPG (People’s Defense Units) and YPJ (Women’s Defense Units) came to the Yazidi people’s aid in the face of ISIS aggression. Thanks to a months-long selfless struggle, the city was liberated on 13 November 2015. After the liberation of the city, the HPG and YPG/YPJ subsequently withdrew in 2017. People who returned to their land after Shengal’s independence reformed, established defensive units and built their institutions.

The Free Yazidi Women’s Movement (TAJÊ) released a statement marking the 8th anniversary of Shengal’s liberation and saluting the guerrillas and all those who contributed to the liberation of Shengal from the darkness of ISIS. TAJÊ paid tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives during the struggle to liberate the city.

“Upon the call of Leader Öcalan, the heroes of Rojava, the fighters of the YPG and YPJ, came to our rescue. They opened up a humanitarian corridor and saved the lives of thousands of Yazidis who fled ISIS during the onslaught. The people of Rojava embraced the Yazidi people and welcomed them with open arms. Fighters of the YPG and YPJ fought shoulder to shoulder with the guerrillas and played a historic role in the liberation of Shengal. With great morale and motivation, hundreds of martyrs raised hope and defeated the fear of death in Shengal.

Seeking revenge, the valuable children of the Yazidi people fought shoulder to shoulder with the PKK guerrillas and YPG/YPJ fighters. Shengal was liberated under the leadership of Martyr Berxwedan and Martyr Berivan and the flag of victory was raised in the skies of Shengal. The struggle of Leader Öcalan led the resistance to victory. We celebrate today for all our companions who are fighting in the footsteps of the martyrs today.

We once again commemorate with respect and gratitude Mam Zeki and Mam Beşir who fell as martyrs while leading the work for social construction in Shengal from the perspective of a democratic nation aiming for a democratic and free life. They played a leading role to the last moment of their lives. Mam Zeki is the symbol of the Yazidi people’s alliance. We congratulate them on free Shengal.

We congratulate Leader Öcalan, our martyrs, the PKK guerrillas, the YPG/YPJ fighters and the entire Yazidi community on the 8th anniversary of Shengal’s liberation.