Yazidi Society Coordination Member Zeki Şengalî had lost his life in the Turkish state attack against Shengal on August 15. Mahir Serhad had been wounded in the same attack, and had been receiving treatment since. Serhad, who was part of Zeki Şengalî’s security detail, lost his life in the hospital the day before.

A military ceremony was held for Mahir Serhad yesterday. Thousands received Serhad, who was sent off with a long convoy from Khanasor, in the Martyr Dilgeş and Martyr Berxwedan Martyrs’ Cemetery.

YBŞ-YJŞ Commander Viyan Hebabî spoke in the ceremony and said, “Comrade Mahir had been serving the Yazidi society since the beginning. As with every martyred comrade, the martyrdom of Comrade Mahir has put a heavy responsibility on our shoulders. With this consciousness, we say to the enemy: We will be more organized and stronger after each attack. We will thus actualize the dreams and goals of our martyred comrades. Whatever the price may be, the Yazidi society will actualize the dreams of Mam Zek and his student Mahir Serhad about the autonomous Shengal. Finally we say that it should never be forgotten that we will avenge the blood of all our friends, and fight and follow them until victory.”

Şemê Remo spoke on behalf of the TAJÊ (Free Yazidi Women’s Movement) and said: “All Yazidi society should unite, form their alliance, become one heart. Because Mam Zeki and his followers fought for this and shed their blood on these lands. As long as we have this soul in our bodies, until the last drop of our blood, we will follow on the path of our martyrs. We will hold the enemy to account, if the enemy thinks they can intimidate us they are sorely mistaken.”

Xelil Salih spoke on behalf of the Shengal Martyrs’ Families and said: “We remember all our martyrs with respect in the person of Martyr Mahir. We won’t forget those who shielded Êzîdxan with their lives, and the enemy should know that we will follow them, and continue their fight. We will respond to the invaders by following the path of our martyrs and increase our struggle to the pinnacle.”

After the speeches, Martyr Mahir Serhad was buried among chants of “Şehid Namırın” (Martyrs are immortal), “Bê Serok Jiyan Nabe” (No life without the leader) and “Biji Serok APO” (Long live leader Öcalan).