An attack by an unmanned combat aerial vehicle belonging to the occupying Turkish state on Friday evening claimed the life of one of the fighters of the Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) in the village of Rezka in the Yazidi town of Shengal (Sinjar) in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

In a statement on Saturday, YBŞ said the following:

The occupying Turkish state has once again brutally attacked Shengal. These invasion attacks against the Yazidi people are not the first and show that the Turkish state wants to continue the genocide of the Yazidi people. There are very serious attacks on the Yazidi community's right to self-defense and self-government. Especially in recent years, the enemy has only one goal, and that is to realize their dream of occupation. On this basis, it is putting all its power and dirty plans into action. The occupying Turkish state has never been satisfied with the defeat of ISIS in this area and the establishment of a Democratic Autonomous Administration and independent military force in Shengal, and has always wanted to eliminate these gains. The occupying Turkish state has many plans, especially recently, and we want it to be known that we are aware of these plans. To realize these plans, the Turkish state has increased pressure on the Iraqi government and other regional powers. The Nineveh governor's statement on the October 9 agreement has not been withheld. We also know that the Turkish state is trying to influence the results of the elections in the Nineveh region so that the KDP forces can dominate the field.

In this period when our people are returning to their lands, the enemy is trying to destabilize the region and intimidate our returning people. This is why they carried out the last attack on such an important day as March 8. Because fascism is not satisfied with the development of Yazidi women and does not want a woman-led system. With this brutal attack on such a day, it wanted to turn our day into a day of mourning. Of course, this situation also reveals the reality of the enemy.

Majdel Hesen joined the ranks of the YBŞ in 2016. Comrade Mecdel Hesen Xelef is from the Feqîran tribe, which has never bowed down to the enemies of Yazidis. He was a friend who voluntarily took on duties and responsibilities according to the spirit of the period and successfully fulfilled his duties. He took his place in the front lines and participated in the work. Comrade Mecdel assumed great responsibilities, most recently as Battalion Commander for the security and peace of Shengal.

The occupying Turkish state should know that it cannot make us back down through such dishonorable attacks. As the defenders of Shengal, we will continue our just struggle and hold those who collaborate with the enemy to account. We take this opportunity to express our condolences to the family of martyr Mecdel Hesen and the people of Shengal. Once again, we promise our community that we will fight until the autonomy of Shengal is guaranteed."

The ID information of the fallen YBŞ Commander is as follows:

Nom de Guerre: Mecdel Feqîr First-Last Name: Mecdel Hesen Xelef Xelîl Date and Place of Birth: 1992 / Xirbatê Qewala- Tilezêr Date and Place of Participation: 2016/ Tilezêr Date and Place of Martyrdom: 09-03-2024-Gundê Sikeniyê (Reska)”

Background

The Yazidi settlement area Shengal in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is the last contiguous settlement area of the Yazidi community. 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, unprotected. The guerrillas of HPG (People’s Defense Forces) and YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) and fighters of the YPG (People’s Defense Units) and YPJ (Women’s Defense Units) came to the Yazidi people's aid in the face of ISIS aggression. Thanks to a months-long selfless struggle, the city was liberated on 13 November 2015. After the liberation of the city, the HPG and YPG/YPJ subsequently withdrew in 2017. People who returned to their land after Shengal's independence reformed, established defensive units and built their institutions.

The Turkish state, which has been frustrated by the liberation of Shengal and the military and political organization of the Yazidi community after ISIS' genocidal attack in 2014, has been attacking Shengal for 6 years. Attacks by Turkey that violate international law have been routine in southern Kurdistan for years. The Turkish air force bombs the territory of the KRI and Iraq on an almost daily basis, especially where guerrillas are suspected. However, civilian settlement areas are also regularly attacked by the Turkish army, including the Yazidi settlement area of Shengal and the Maxmur refugee camp. With its aerial terror, Ankara is pursuing a targeted policy of displacement - in particular by deliberately destroying civilian infrastructure.