Shingal – The recent increase in attacks by the Iraqi army in the region, the decisions of the Ministry of Migration and Refugees regarding the return of refugees, and the KDP’s threat to implement the October 9 Agreement are creating great concern and dissatisfaction within the Yazidi community. Suham Shingali, Diplomacy Member of the Yazidi Women’s Freedom Movement (TAJÊ), evaluated the recent developments in the region and in Shingal for our agency.

“Many People Have Still Not Returned”

Suham Shingali began her speech by emphasizing the importance of the process initiated by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan. Suham Shingali said, “We are going through a historic and critical process in the Middle East and worldwide. Especially in Kurdistan, this process, which has been carried out under the leadership of Leader Apo for about a year, is of vital importance for Shingal as well,” drawing attention to the great suffering experienced by the Yazidi community. Recalling that hundreds of thousands of Yazidis were displaced after the Ferman, Suham Shingali stated, “Even though years have passed, many people have still not returned, meaning that thousands are still displaced,” underlining that dirty schemes and attack plans targeting the Yazidi community and Shingal continue.

“The Effects of the Agreement Are as Dangerous as the 2014 Ferman”

Stating that the Yazidi community has recently been threatened by certain individuals, Suham Shingali continued her words as follows: “Kurdistan Region’s former Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has recently made very clear threats against Shingal in his speeches, especially regarding the implementation of the October 9 Agreement signed between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Government. With this agreement, the Iraqi Government sought to gain the support of foreign states. Many states, including those who recognized the 1974 Ferman as genocide, accepted the October 9 Agreement as a solution for Shingal — even though this agreement was not based on the will of the Yazidi community. Since the day this agreement was signed, the entire Yazidi community, especially women and youth, has opposed it. As the dangers of this agreement are as great as those of the August 2014 Ferman, the Yazidi community has defined this agreement as a legal arrangement.”

“The Yazidi Community Has Now Become Conscious and Will Not Be Deceived by These Plans”

Suham Shingali stated that with this agreement they want to return Shingal to the pre-Ferman period, saying: “As if nothing had happened here, as if this community had not been betrayed, they want Shingal once again to fall under the control of forces such as the KDP and the Iraqi government. Of course, the Yazidi community does not accept this. In this important process, where representatives of the Kurdistan Region occasionally express support for the process and call for Kurdish unity, at the same time they are developing dangerous plans for the Yazidi community. Not only the Yazidi community, but all communities in Kurdistan should know that as long as such plans exist for the Yazidi community, for Shingal, no one can speak of a sincere approach to this process. This agreement in no way recognizes the will of the Yazidi community. The Yazidi community has now become conscious and will not be deceived by these plans,” she said.

“The KDP Does Not Want Refugees to Return”

Drawing attention to the KDP’s involvement in the decision of the Ministry of Migration and Refugees, Suham Shingali stated: “According to the decision taken, if refugees do not return to their places and regions by the end of the year, they will be considered settled in the places to which they migrated. This decision is entirely influenced by the KDP. In a recent statement by the former Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, he said, ‘If the coalition’s decisions are implemented, the refugees will return.’ This shows that the KDP does not want refugees to return, in line with its own political interests.”

Suham Shingali also noted that the KDP has greatly benefited from the aid sent to the Yazidi community. Therefore, emphasizing that the KDP does not want refugees to return to their homes and villages, Suham Shingali said: “The Yazidi community needs to know these facts. The Ministry of Migration and Refugees did not make this decision on its own. The Ministry had previously declared that even if refugees filed lawsuits, the KDP would not allow them to return. The reason why so many refugees remain in the camps is the KDP itself; they are preventing their return. The decision taken by the Ministry is based on the interests of the KDP. This is very clear.”

“Hate Speech Is Being Used Against the Yazidi Community”

Emp hasizing that the decisions taken regarding Shingal are political decisions, Suham Shingali continued her speech with the following statements:

“Previously, an alliance had been established between Hashd al-Shaabi and the KDP regarding the elections. We know that this decision is also a political one and that they did not make it alone. All of this creates great dangers for the Yazidi community. Especially our community living in the camps in Southern Kurdistan needs to know this reality. There is almost no day in the camps when our community is not subjected to betrayal, humiliation, and all kinds of mistreatment. Our Yazidi community needs to understand these approaches. Every time, insults are directed at the Yazidi community in the media, hate speech is used against them, and similar attacks are carried out. The fact that there is so much hatred directed against the Yazidi community itself reveals the greatest danger. The Yazidi community must not fall for these games and must not abandon their places and homeland.”

Return, Build Your Own Life

“Some people in the camps say, ‘We will not return until the KDP returns to Shingal.’ This is clearly a betrayal of our community, a selling of oneself. Our community must see this danger and return to their land. No matter what period we look at, the Yazidi community has always managed on its own. When Saddam Hussein brought the Yazidis down from the mountains and placed them in camps, did he build houses for them? No, our people built their own homes with their own means. The Yazidi community must be strong, determined, and return to its homeland. Our call to our community is this: Do not wait for anyone’s favor. Return, earn your livelihood, build your own life.”

The Iraqi Army Has Deployed a Large Force to Shingal

Drawing attention to the recent increase of the Iraqi army in Shingal, Suham Shingali said: “The approach of the Iraqi government toward the Yazidi community is hostile. In March, 5 YBŞ members were arrested. These fighters had fought against ISIS and have not yet been released. Recently, the Iraqi army has been sending heavy weapons to Shingal every day. The place where ISIS is most concentrated is Anbar province. The Iraqi army has deployed a large force to Shingal. Anbar is the largest province in Iraq’s geography. In Shingal, from the marketplaces to every street corner, Iraqi soldiers walk among the people, women, and children with their weapons in hand. It is known that this has created great trauma within the community, and that those carrying this out are deliberately trying to prevent this trauma from being overcome. We know that all of this is being done by the KDP. In fact, the last time they were threatened in Shingal, they themselves wanted the Iraqi government to enter Shingal. They want the path opened for the KDP and the coalition’s decisions to be implemented. The Iraqi government does not approach this community as if they were its own citizens,” she stated.

“ISIS Members Are Being Released”

Continuing her remarks about the release of ISIS gangs, Suham Shingali said: “Every day, hundreds of ISIS gangs are being released from prison. The ISIS members who are released are at the same time being placed into state institutions and organizations. They are able to communicate freely with state officials, intelligence, and the army. Until the last moment, they even tried to run as candidates in the elections. With this general amnesty in Iraq, 33,000 people were released, and it is said that 24–25,000 of them are ISIS members. This is a very dangerous situation. Where are these ISIS gangs that are released being settled? They are released in groups but then they disappear. This situation is a threat to all of Iraq. If ISIS launches attacks again, will it attack only Shingal? It will attack Mosul, Tal Afar, Southern Kurdistan, and all parts of Iraq. Therefore, the Yazidi community must remain vigilant against these dangers,” she warned.

The Yazidi Community and the Position of Women Must Be Stronger

Drawing attention to the letters and messages that Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan sent to Shingal, Suham Shingali finally said:

“Leader Apo constantly warns the Yazidi community in his letters, saying that the Yazidi community must strengthen its self-defense and strengthen its organization. These issues are very important. From Leader Apo’s perspective, we must remain vigilant against these dangers and increase our organization. The Yazidi community and the position of women must be stronger. We once again call on our community in the camps to return to their land. We also call on all communities in Kurdistan: if you are supporters of this process and peace, do not remain silent about the policies of Southern Kurdistan toward the Yazidi community.”