The Command of Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ, Yekîneyên Berxwedana Şengal) has released a statement on the Turkish air strike on Shengal region last Thursday. A total of 17 air strikes against the Shilo Valley killed three civilians, according to YBŞ figures.

The statement said: "The civilians came from Kobanê and made their living in Shengal. They participated in the construction of water mills and were killed in cold blood by the Turkish state. We express our condolences to the relatives of the deceased."

The YBŞ Command also announced that the bombed area was not a military site: "Our forces are not stationed in the Shilo Valley. It is the place where on 15 August 2018, Yazidi politician Mam Zekî Şengalî was killed in a targeted attack [of the Turkish state].

No loss in the YBŞ/YJŞ ranks

YBŞ statement noted that the attacks did not result in any losses in the ranks of YBŞ/YJŞ, and continued: "The Turkish state is carrying out targeted attacks against the Yazidi community. On religious holidays and anniversaries of massacres, the Yazidi people are attacked. On 15 August, Mam Zekî Şengalî, a pioneer of the Yazidi community, was savagely murdered on the anniversary of the Kocho massacre. Again, Turkey bombed Shengal at Êzî Holiday. This clearly shows that the colonialist and murderous Turkish state is acting in the context of an aggression against the Yazidi community.”

“We are not a force to bow to threats”

The statement emphasized that; The Turkish state and all other regional forces should know that we as YBŞ and YJŞ are not a force to bow to such threats. We have a promise to these sacred lands, to the Yazidi people and to our martyrs, we will defend our people until the last moment.”

Warning to those in the service of the Turkish state

YBŞ Command continued; "Some people who claim to be political and military representatives of the Yazidis have made some statements lately. We would like to address a few words to these persons who are at the service of their own enemies and genocidal politics. It seems they do not recognize their enemies, because they serve the enemy by being subjected to their policies of annihilation. These people have taken the wrong path and should turn back.

The PKK is not present in Shengal. They have withdrawn from the region. Forces relying on this allegation and bombarding Shengal should note: YBŞ and YJŞ, founded during the genocide of the Yazidi population, are the defenders of Shengal. We can solve problems through dialogue, our door is always open. But those who do not act in the interests of the Yazidis will receive their response from our people.

Appeal to Iraq and the international community

The coalition forces, the international community, and Iraq in particular, must block the Shengal’s airspace for the Turkish state and adopt a stance against the attacks of this fascist, colonial state. Statements by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry are not sufficient.

In 2014, this people experienced the worst human tragedy of the 21st century. They experienced one of the biggest genocides. In order to prevent further genocide, the airspace over Shengal must be closed for Turkey.

We also want to make a call to our people: no matter where; these attacks must be condemned in mass actions. We also invite the youth, women and men of the Yazidi community to participate in the defense of the sacred lands of Shengal.”