The Shengal Autonomous Administration held its first meeting in 2023 with the participation of all its members in the Yazidi town in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The meeting, which was closed to the press, started with a moment of silence to honor the memory of all martyrs of the Freedom Movement.

'OUR PEOPLE RESISTED INVASION PLANS'

A final declaration released after the meeting said:

“The plans carried out over the Middle East became more obvious in 2022 as the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Lausanne approaches. The colonial powers tried to implement their plans for their political interests during the year. These plans, through which every state in the Middle East sought to expand their territories, were implemented through the invading Turkish state. As part of these plans, a large-scale military operation was launched against the Medya Defense Zones and the freedom guerrillas on April 15. These attacks later spread to Shengal, Maxmur and Rojava.

Under different names, they wanted to destroy the achievements of the people of Shengal, Maxmur and Rojava with a single goal. However, our organized people resisted these plans with a strong will. The war started in the region with the Turkish state being brought forward was essentially led by NATO. The Kurdish people and the freedom guerrillas were subjected to war crimes and the whole world remained silent towards the chemical attacks and violations.

This war had initially aimed to expand the borders of the Turkish state, which sought to revive the Ottoman Empire but was frustrated by the guerrilla resistance. If there were no guerrilla resistance, a large part of Iraqi territory would have been occupied. The Iraqi state was aware of this war but could not react to it. The Turkish attacks were directly supported during the Mustafa al-Kadhimi government's term, especially before the new government was formed. For this reason, the Turkish state attacked Iraqi territories and especially Shengal.

11 ATTACKS ON SHENGAL

During the year, Shengal was bombed 10 times by Turkish drones and once by fighter jets, and 21 points were targeted on Shengal Mountain in one night. These attacks were directed against villages and cities without discrimination of the civilian population. These attacks left 5 people, including children and civilians, martyred and 11 people injured.

Despite all these attacks, our people did not renounce their lands and resumed the struggle for an independent and free Shengal. While the attacks against our people continued, on April 18, the Iraqi state began to attack during the Çarşema Sor Feast of the Yazidis, with the approval of the al-Kadhimi government and the pressure of the Turkish state. This attack continued until May 2.

The resistance and will that our people developed as part of legitimate defence defeated these conspiracies and attacks.

REACTION TO THE KDP

The plans of the KDP to evacuate Shengal within a year were prevented by the Shengal Autonomous Administration, its institutions and organizations. During the year, about 300 families returned to their homes from the camps in South Kurdistan. Public services, including cleaning, water and electricity supply, continued uninterrupted throughout Shengal. Municipal centres were opened in places such as Siba Şêx Xidir and Girzerik, where most of those displaced have returned. We supported families as much as we could when they needed it.     

'HUNDREDS OF YOUNG MEN BECAME FIGHTERS'

Planting projects were implemented by our municipalities, as part of which, trees were planted in areas of tens of kilometres.

Significant steps were taken for the security of the region and our people. Our young people joined the YBŞ, YJŞ and especially the Êzdixan Asayish as part of these steps. Hundreds of our young people received intellectual and military training and became members of the Êzdixan Asayish.

All our organizations took part in the managerial activities, organizing congresses and long-term plans.”

The final declaration praised the struggle of the Yazidi people for an independent and free Shengal and called for freedom for Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.

'ÖCALAN IS SIGNIFICANT TO US'

The declaration concluded:

“We wish success and a happy new year to all our people, defence forces, women, youth, press, culture and art organizations and their employees.

Our struggle will continue for an independent and free Shengal, for the dreams of martyrs and for Öcalan's freedom. We especially salute the actions of our mothers and youth for the freedom of Öcalan. As the Shengal Autonomous Administration, we set the treatment of Öcalan as a treatment towards us.

We are ready for political dialogue so that our people can live freely, our displaced people return to their homes and the will of our people is recognized. Very important work has been done in 8 years and our people govern themselves to some extent. However, no social, military or political attack on our people will go unanswered as before.”