The Kurdish Women’s Movement in Europe (TJK-E) released a statement on the deadly attacks of the Turkish state against the Yazidi town of Shengal in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

“Turkish colonialism and collaborators will be defeated and thrown into the dump of history,” said TJK-E and urged all Kurds to unite and stand with Shengal.

The TJK-E statement included the following:

“The fascist Turkish state conducted a new attack on civilian settlements in Shengal, once again. In consequence of the bombardment of the Turkish aircrafts on Shengal Bazaar, Seid Hasan, one of the commanders of Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) and one of the leading founders of Free Shengal, and YBŞ fighter İsa Xwededa fell as martyrs. Also, more injured people were reported. We extend our condolences to Shengal and Kurdistan people, especially the families of our martyrs and vow to enhance our martyrs’ struggle and achieve the victory. The attacks against Shengal are a continuation of the mentality of genocide against the peoples. These attacks indicate the efforts of the AKP and Erdogan’s dictatorship to reign over the region and destroy all achievements of the Kurdish people.

‘The Turkish state and collaborators will be defeated’

The whole world is aware of the historic struggle of Kurdish people in Shengal, which still continues. This is the greatest struggle for freedom and the greatest battle of willpower in history. Today, Kurdish people wage great resistance against the AKP-Erdogan dictatorship and its collaborator KDP as they did against the ISIS fascism in the past. Turkish colonialism and its collaborators will be defeated and thrown into the dump of history. The Turkish state implements hostile policies against the Kurdish people in every field, everywhere the Kurds live, and never hesitates to adopt atrocities against the people. In response to the fascist Turkish state’s attacks, Kurdish women and people will never remain silent. We, as Kurdish people, will continue to raise our voice to defend our existence and our right to lead a free life. Kurdish women and people, wherever they live, will stand with Shengal in the spirit of national unity. The atrocity perpetrated against the Yazidi women is obvious! It is a fundamental duty especially for women to defend the growing revolution of women in Shengal. It is a historic responsibility to enhance the resistance against the dictatorship of Erdogan, the leader of AKP-ISIS. These regressive and fascist forces impose absolute slavery on women. We, as women who are aware of this reality, will always stand against the Turkish state’s invasion and massacres everywhere.

We call on the Kurdish people, mainly women, to take to the streets, enhance the struggle and stand against these attacks and genocidal policies of the invading Turkish state. Everyone should keep in mind; we can destroy fascism and build our freedom.”