HPG guerrillas and fighters of Shengal Resistance Units YBŞ-YJŞ have freed 51 Êzidî Kurds from ISIS in the village of Medban as part of the 'Operation Vengeance for Martyrs of Shilo'.

ISIS had taken the 10 women and 41 children as hostage during its takeover of Shengal on August 3, 2014. The 51 Êzidî Kurds were united with their families in the Êzidî Women’s Assembly on Mount Shengal.

Zeki Şengali greeted the Êzidî women and children on behalf of the Shengal Êzidî Coordination, and said that they were happy to see the 51 Êzidî Kurds alive and free. Şengali noted that 3 brave fighters passed away during the operation to free the hostages, and the struggle of these martyrs enabled recent Kurdish gains. Şengali described the martyrs as Kurdish people’s honor, and promised to follow their path.

‘WE WILL LIVE FREELY'

In his welcoming speech, Şengali said that deceased guerrillas have lost their lives for the noble cause of liberating Êzidî women and children from ISIS savagery. He said that civilians owed their presence and happiness in Shengal to the guerrillas, and promised that they would live freely from now on. Şengali described union, mobilization and self-defense as conditions necessary for living freely, and promised that the new generations would grow up knowing the importance of fulfilling these conditions.

In his speech, Şengali noted that YBŞ-YJŞ forces, Shengal Êzidî Construction Assembly, Êzidî Women’s Assembly, and TEV-DA also worked for the liberation of the 51 hostages, and promised that they would do everything to continue liberating Êzidî people held hostage by ISIS.

'WE WILL FREE ALL THE HOSTAGES'

Êzidî Assembly member Herbo Salih also spoke during the event and welcomed the 51 Êzidî women and children. Salih shared his happiness at the hostages’ liberation, and praised the 3 fighters who fell as martyrs during the operation that freed the hostages.

YBŞ commander Dıjwar Feqir also spoke during the event, welcomed the 51 Êzidîs, and shared his sadness regarding the martyrdom of 3 fighters. Feqir promised that they would liberate all civilians and lands held hostage and occupied by ISIS.

Neam İlyas spoke on behalf of the Women’s Assembly during the event, and called upon all Êzidîs to stop migrating and stay in Shengal to defend their lands. İlyas noted that institutions such as the YBŞ, YJŞ and assemblies enable Êzidîs to take their revenge and gain victory through resistance.

Lastly, TEV-DA president Ömer Salih said that they would continue building a free life with the beliefs and values of Êzidî people.