The autonomy of Shengal town in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) is under systematic attack. The attacks range from the agreement of 9 October 2020, in which the administration of the region was transferred to the KDP, which collaborates with Turkey, to Turkish assassinations of representatives of the autonomous administration. Most recently, the co-chairman of the Executive Committee of the Shengal Autonomous Council, Merwan Bedel, was assassinated by a Turkish drone attack on 7 December.

The Shengal Autonomous Administration released a written statement addressing the October 9 agreement concluded between the governments of Baghdad and the Kurdistan region against the will of the people of Shengal, the latest attacks of the Turkish state and South Kurdistan’s ruling party KDP’s (Kurdistan Democratic Party) alliance with the Turkish state.

The statement released on Tuesday includes the following;

"After the elections in Iraq, it was clear that the country would face a difficult time due to the very low voter turnout. In the wake of the rigged elections, the turmoil in the country escalated. This went so far that the house of the Iraqi Prime Minister was attacked with bombs. In Baghdad and Hewlêr, the people rose up against the government. Many people have left the country because they have no stable prospects for life in Iraq. This sequence of events is no coincidence. Baghdad is governed by foreign countries on the basis of their particular interests. There are times in all countries when the state is shaken, but that does not mean that states are destroyed. However, we see here that the Iraqi state is on the verge of destruction. There are major flaws in the political sphere. ISIS is reorganising itself. So the weakness of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region is becoming apparent. Now the Yazidi people and the forces that defeated ISIS are being targeted. We consider these attacks as support for ISIS. The silence of the United Nations is the cause of these attacks. Most recently, our People's Assembly building was bombed. Merwan Bedel's vehicle was targeted and he was killed."

MERWAN BEDEL REMEMBERED

“Martyr Merwan Bedel fought ISIS at a time when Iraqi and Kurdistan forces were unable to confront it. He played an important role in defending the Iraqi territories. He was a commander of the forces that defeated ISIS and secured the return of the Yazidi people to their land. The recent attacks aim at avenging the defeat of ISIS. It is a shame to remain silent towards these attacks. Bedel was an Iraqi political figure and represented the Yazidi people."

REACTION TO IRAQ

The Autonomous Administration responded to the silence of the Iraqi government towards the attacks of the Turkish state, stating, “Iraq withdrew thousands of its soldiers during the Yazidi genocide on August 3, 2014. The KDP left the Yazidi people to the mercy of ISIS. They caused the murder of thousands of people while thousands of others had to migrate and were taken prisoner. Thanks to the guerrillas and the YBŞ-YJŞ fighters, the Yazidis were saved from a massacre.

Following the October 9 agreement, the Iraqi state's approach towards our people has shifted. Iraq did not protect our people during the genocide, and now it remains silent in the face of the attacks. So, what exactly is Iraq doing in Shengal?

Our people are very angry because of the silence of the Iraqi government. They have started protests to protect themselves. We salute the stance of our people. We urge all our people and friends to maintain their protests in a peaceful way.

APPEAL TO THE UN

The attitude of the Iraqi forces towards our people is not right. We condemn the use of weapons against our people. The forces that claim to protect our people are actually attacking our people. That's why we appeal to the United Nations; fulfill your duties, take a stand against the security forces that attack our people.”

'KDP LEGITIMIZES THE ATTACKS'

The Shengal Autonomous Administration also criticized the KDP, stating, "We will not take a step back even if our leaders are targeted. Those who operate against the Autonomous Shengal, especially pro-KDP media, should stop using the language of the enemy against us. The KDP has interned our people in camps. Their statements legitimize the attacks against the Yazidi people. Yet, this cannot restrain us from claiming an autonomous and free Şengal. The Autonomous Shengal is a right gained by our people and will remain our ultimate objective. We promise that no one will be able to shape our society according to themselves anymore. Whatever the price, we will always follow in the footsteps of our martyrs. We will not renounce Autonomous Shengal, we will resist."