In a statement marking the anniversary of the agreement signed between Baghdad and Hewler (Erbil) on October 9, 2020, the Êzidxan Asayish (Yazidi Security Forces) said that decisions that concern the people of Shengal cannot be made by Baghdad or Hewler.

Ziyad Şengali read out a statement in the Kers Valley on Mount Shengal on behalf of the Êzidxan Asayish.

“The October 9 Agreement signed between the Iraqi Government, the Turkish state and the KDP overlooked the will of the Yazidi people. With this agreement, they tried to subject our people to a further genocide, and we opposed it. We, the Êzidxan Asayish, will not allow the implementation of any agreement that does not benefit our people,” the statement said.

“The autonomy of Shengal should be recognized. Shengal now governs itself with a system based on the philosophy of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. From now on, our people will make decisions on their own. Baghdad or Hewler cannot make decisions on behalf of our people,” the statement underlined.

The statement emphasized that the Êzidxan Asayish would respond to any intervention, noting, “No one can talk as if they were the owners of Shengal, except our people who are resisting. The people of Shengal are the ones who own Shengal.”

“Not only Shengal, but also the oppressed peoples all over the world are resisting the invading forces. We, the Yazidi people, will resist until the end,” the statement added.