In Sulaymaniyah, members of the Women's Union Against Violence and Occupation protested the Turkish state's massacres and invasion attacks against South Kurdistan (North Iraq) and Rojava (North Syria).

The group released a statement, which was read out by Kejal Ebdulkadir and said, “The Turkish state seeks to invade the whole of Kurdistan and it wants to start this invasion from South Kurdistan and Rojava as the Kurds have some autonomy in both regions. Especially in Rojava, there is a self-government which represents all components in the region.”

'CIVILIAN PEOPLE AND WOMEN ARE TARGETED'

The statement further said, “Turkey opens schools and carries out commercial activities to receive military intelligence in the Kurdistan Region. It carries out massacres against the civilian population. The last massacre took place in Zakho where tourists were targeted.”

“Turkey is afraid of the women's struggle in Rojava and targets female fighters. The latest killing of three women in Rojava is proof of this. We urge the governments of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to take a serious stance against the massacres of the Turkish state. The components of South Kurdistan should not remain silent towards the genocide and occupation,” the statement noted.

'ALL WOMEN SHOULD OPPOSE'

“Women who are the main victims of the attacks should not remain silent. When a woman is targeted, all women are targeted. Kurdish, Arab and all other women in Iraq and the region should oppose the occupation together,” the statement by the women’s group concluded.