People’s Defence Forces Shengal Commander Egit Civyan told ANF that the victorious developments in Rojava created enthusiasm and new hope among Ezidi people, and called on all Kurdish institutions to undertake their historical responsibility. Civyan also commented on the attitude of KDP and PUK in Shengal, and stressed the importance of building the Kurdish national unity. Here is the ANF interview with Commander Civyan:

How did the Mount Kizwan operation and the YPG’s further advance affect the war in Shengal?

A very serious and heavy war has been going on in Syria and Iraq, particularly in the western and southern parts of Kurdistan for over a year. ISIS had an image of being insurmountable. It was Kurdish forces that destroyed this image and defeated ISIS. Kurdish forces succeeded to stop this killing machine that was threatening the whole of humanity.

A brave and determinate struggle was needed to defend the common values of humanity, the fraternity of people, and justice and peace. The Apoist movement has demonstrated the determination and courage to enter a war with ISIS gangs, and this war against ISIS transformed into a fight for the common values of humanity. This brought hope and courage to the entire region and our front is growing each day as new participants arrive almost daily. 

What was the effect of the liberation of Girê Spî on Shengal? What was the reaction of Ezidi people?

Without a doubt, the most challenging resistance is made in Rojava, which inflicts heavy blows on ISIS gangs and liberates many settlements. This boosts the morale of the peoples in the region, including Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, Assyrians, etc. This is why the victorious developments in Rojava create hope and enthusiasm among Ezidi people, who have been subjected to the brutal attacks and massacres of ISIS gangs since August 3, 2014. The Ezidi people are more hopeful with regards to returning to their own lands.

Recent developments in Rojava turned public attention back to Shengal. What is the situation in Shengal?

Developments in Rojava impose more than ever the duty to liberate Shengal. Without waiting for Mosul and Ramadiye operations, we have to undertake the responsibility to expulse the gangs from the region through an operation that would be launched on the Shengal-Rojava route. All the forces that take part in the operation to liberate Shengal, the guerrilla forces, local YBŞ forces, peshmerga forces, and the Ezidi fighters, must act in accordance with this duty and work to create a joint commandership and planning. We have the determination to undertake this duty on our own, but there are other Kurdish forces that fight in this front and our priority is to form a joint force, a joint Kurdish front acting together. We now have the historical opportunity for this union that must be realised. It is now time to complement the victorious gains in Rojava with the freedom and liberation of Ezidi people.

What is the attitude of KDP and PUK towards this operation?

There are serious deficiencies in KDP and PUK attitudes, they do not accept the unification of guerrilla and peshmerga forces under a joint command that would develop a joint liberation strategy. Instead, they delay the liberation operation and make insignificant advances in the meanwhile.

We have been fighting together at the same front for six months. However, KDP and PUK’s rejection to form a joint command plays a negative role. PUK says it is ready for it, however awaits the KDP to take initiative. This is not sufficient. As we approach the anniversary of the massacre, it is the historical duty for all three Kurdish forces to unite. Moreover, all Kurdish organisations must engage in self-criticism because of their inability to prevent the massacre. Our Leadership had a clear idea after the occupation of Mosul that a massacre plan would be put into action in Shengal. We are also responsible for the massacre and for not being able to deploy a large force in the region, which would defend Ezidi people despite our Leadership’s warning. Other forces must also accept their responsibilities, which were much bigger than ours at the time.

What are your concrete expectations from Kurdish forces?

The best way to offer self-criticism and take responsibility is to liberate Shengal and Ezidi people. The states in the region and the coalition forces have decided to carry the fight against ISIS more effectively. But, all of the defense forces of Kurdish people have the responsibility to defend Kurdistan and to expulse ISIS out of their lands. So they have to engage in a more active and effective fight. Following the developments in Rojava, now it is time for all Kurdish forces to demonstrate their will to fight for and liberate our lands. HPG has always demonstrated its determination to accomplish this.

It appears on the press that KDP is disturbed by the presence of guerrilla forces here. Is this the case?

KDP policies against our movement because of the presence of guerrillas here is incorrect. Avoiding these policies will serve South Kurdistan. The attitude of KDP during these important times, during which the agenda is determined by the presidential election of the federal region and by the presence of ISIS, harms Kurdish national unity. KDP would only lose from such harmful policies. KDP must rather work to create trust among people and strengthen the national unity. The foundation for this is ready.  

Preparations for a constitution are taking place in South Kurdistan. How should the status of Shengal be decided in the constitution?

The future of Shengal and Ezidi people must be taken under constitutional guarantee. We are in favour of a system where the cultural and religious differences as well as the self-determination of Ezidi people are recognized. This structure can be affiliated with the federal Kurdish administration. What is important is that the Ezidi people have their own democratic autonomy and their own defense capability. This democratic structure must be recognised by the constitution.