SORGUL ŞÊXO

Hesekê – Yazidis are one of the oldest ethnic and religious communities in the Middle East. They have always preserved their religion and beliefs. Yazidis living in Shengal, Afrin, and Serêkaniyê have always faced attacks, massacres, and genocides. Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, and Yazidis have lived together in Serêkaniyê for years and they took part in the establishment of the Autonomous Administration in Serêkaniyê. They have taken part in women's institutions and organizations and they have represented the project of the Democratic Nation together. There are 15 Yazidi villages in the city. They built everything together in their villages. But the members of ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra committed many crimes in the towns and villages, particularly Yazidi villages after they took their control. Most of the Yazidis living in these villages had to leave their villages and even the tombs of Yazidis were destroyed. We spoke to Hediya Şemo, coordination member of the Yazidi Women's Union, about the crimes committed against Yazidis.

“Yazidis always remain faithful to their roots”

Stating that the Yazidi faith is the oldest faith of the Kurds, Hediya Şemo said, “Then, other religions and faiths emerged. For this reason, every new religion took a piece of this community and used it for its own interests. However, Yazidis always remain faithful to their roots. Yazidis settled in Afrin, Serêkaniyê, Cizre Region, and northern Syria. According to historical documents, the first settlement of Yazidis was Til Xelef. However, the attacks, massacres, and genocides against Yazidis weakened their community. Yazidis lived in the Zerdeşt neighborhood and 15 villages before the invasion of Serêkaniyê. In some villages, Muslim Kurds and Yazidis lived together. They used to celebrate their feasts together.”

“They built mosques on destroyed houses”

Underlining that Yazidis were subjected to many rights violations after the occupation of Serêkaniyê by other armed factions, Hediya Şemo said, “They destroyed the houses of Yazidis and built mosques there. On October 9, 2019, they attacked Serêkaniyê. All people living in the city affected by the attacks were forcibly displaced. Yazidis were also forcibly displaced. Our villages, property, and graves were plundered. Our Mala Êzidîyan (House of the Yazidis) offices were also destroyed by Turkish-backed factions. 15 Yazidi villages in Serêkaniyê and Afrin were destroyed. They built mosques after destroying the houses of Yazidis.”

“The history repeats itself”

Stating that the history repeats itself in Serêkaniyê, Hediya Şemo said, “Graves, villages, and houses Yazidis in Serêkaniyê were burned and destroyed. The aim of the Turkish state was to force all people, including Yazidis, in Serêkaniyê to displace. Several years ago, they tried to depopulate Afrin and Shengal. The history of massacre and genocide repeated itself in Serêkaniyê. The attacks on Serêkaniyê on October 9 were another genocidal attack against Yazidis.”

“An international tribunal should be established”

Emphasizing that human rights organizations should remain silent against what happened, Hediya Şemo said, “An international tribunal should be established to punish the members of armed factions, who attacked the holy places and villages of the Yazidi community in Serêkaniyê and Afrin.”