A commemoration ceremony was organized for ten martyrs, including journalist Nûjiyan Erhan and TAJÊ (Free Yazidi Women’s Movement) member Nazê Nayîf, who were killed in the March 3, 2017 attack on Shengal by KDP-affiliated Roj gangs in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

Thousands of Yazidis were murdered and thousands of women and children were taken prisoner in the 3 August 2014 onslaught on Shengal by ISIS militants. While ISIS gangs began murdering Yazidis in Shengal, the Peshmerga left, leaving the Yazidis behind. HPG-YJA Star and YPG-YPJ fighters came to the Yazidi people's aid in the face of ISIS aggression. After months of resistance, the fighters who saved the Yazidi people from a larger genocide captured Shengal. People who returned to their lands after Shengal's independence reformed, established defensive units and built their institutions.

Having left the Yazidi people in the hands of ISIS gangs during the attack on 3 August 2014, KDP troops attempted to enter the Xanesor district of Shengal on 3 March 2017 and the KDP-affiliated "Roj Peshmerga" attacked Shengal. The attack killed journalist Nûjiyan Erhan, TAJÊ member Nazê Nayîf, and ten fighters.

The Yazidî people organised a commemoration ceremony for the martyrs who were massacred at Xanesor this year like they do every year.

Speeches were delivered on behalf of institutions and parties at the ceremony where the KDP's attacks were protested.

Martyr Şoreş's mother Meyan spoke on behalf of the Martyrs' Families during the anniversary, recalling the KDP's betrayal and saying, "Those who escaped during ISIS attacks will never be able to defend us. Those who protected us that day will protect us forever. Except for Reber Apo (Abdullah Öcalan), no one thought of the Yazidi people. From the prison, Leader Apo heard our cries. But KDP betrayed us.”

SHENGAL RESIDENTS SHOULD BE CAREFUL

Kinê Xidir, a TAJÊ member who began her address by remembering the Xanesor martyrs, said, "That day, the KDP abandoned us. Because of the KDP's treason, our people were massacred. The attack on Xanesor was a continuation of the 2014 onslaught. New genocides and betrayals must be prevented by the Yazidi community. There are other plans against Shengal, but the traitors will not be allowed to return to Shengal. Our people must be cautious in the face of these plans."

Xelîl Hecî, speaking on behalf of the Shengal Autonomous Administration, stated: "Our people were initially organized in Xanesor, and the Democratic Autonomous system was established there. That is why they targeted Xanesor. The people of Rojava came to the aid of the Yazidi people in the genocide on August 3, 2014. Those who wanted to destabilize this alliance launched an attack on Xanesor under the guise of "Roj Peshmerga." Documents revealed that these gangs included the Turkish intelligence MIT and individuals who aided ISIS gangs throughout the genocide. As the people of Shengal, we have become a well-organized and powerful community. We are trying to keep traitors from entering these sacred lands. We're not going to allow that to happen."

The commemoration ended with the slogans "Martyrs are immortal" and "Long Live Leader Öcalan" after the movie screening.

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