Earlier today, Iraqi military forces with special units and police support arrived at the Maxmur Camp in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) in an attempt to fence in the camp with barbed wire. The attempt has been stopped for the time being by the resistance of the camp residents.

The Yazidi Free Women’s Movement (TAJÊ) and Shengal Young Women’s Union made a press statement expressing their solidarity with the people of Maxmur and their resistance.

The statement on behalf of the two organizations condemned Iraq’s attacks on Maxmur, saying: “As the Yazidi people and women, we take these attacks as directed against us. This attempt is a result of the Iraqi and Turkish states’ joint plans against Maxmur and Shengal. The people of Maxmur have been resisting for years and their resistance cannot be broken by Iraq.”

The statement pointed out that attacks on Maxmur are not independent from the 9 October agreement against Shengal, adding: “Their aim is to deploy ISIS mercenaries to Shengal, to besiege Maxmur and to expand the war against the guerrillas. These plans are directed against the will of peoples. Let everyone know that this resistance and willpower can never be broken.”