The invading Turkish state has been attacking the Yazidi town of Shengal (Sinjar) in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) for the last two days. On Monday, an airstrike by the Turkish army targeted a vehicle in Shengal centre, killing Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) Commander Seid Hesen and YBŞ fighter İsa Xwededa. Today, Turkish jets bombed a hospital in the Shengal region, which has also resulted in casualties, according to initial reports from the ground.

The councils in Jazira (Cizire) Region of North-East Syria made press statements condemning the occupant Turkish state’s attacks and announced their solidarity with the Yazidi community against the ever-increasing attacks.

Tens of people gathered in front of the district council in the north of Heseke and displayed the posters of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and flags of Martyr Families’ Council, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and Kongreya Star. The statement of the council was read by Remedan Fetah, co-chair of Heseke Council.

The statement of Dirbesiye Council was read by Rustem Bekir, co-chair of Dirbesiye District Council, in front of Social Defence Forces (HPC) center. While Sileman Ebo Bekir, co-chair of Qamishlo District Council read the statement in Qamishlo, the statement of Derik Council was read by Sidi Hena, co-vice chair of Derik District Council. Also, a statement was made in Shadadi district regarding the same issue.

‘We stand with the Yazidis’

Defining Turkey’s attacks as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, the councils called for Iraq to bring the Turkish state to account and defend its sovereignty.

Stressing the Yazidi community’s support for the Shengal Autonomous Administration, the councils said, “The attacks of the invading Turkish state against the Shengal region and the targeted commanders reveal the insistence on the purpose of a massacre against the Yazidis. The Turkish state, targeting the existence and autonomous administration of Yazidi people, seeks genocide against the Yazidi community and intends to force them to face new firmans (decree of genocide).”

‘Peoples should unite against the invaders’ attacks’

The councils called on the international community, the United Nations Security Council and the Arab League to break their silence and stand against the fascist Erdogan’s government.

The councils also called for an international investigation into the attacks in order for the Turkish state to be brought to account and for the Shengal Autonomous Administration to be recognised. On the other hand, the councils urged people to unite against the Turkish state’s attacks, enhance the resistance and struggle for freedom, justice and an honourable life.

The Lebanon branch of the PYD also condemned the attacks by the Turkish state which targeted Mam Zeki and Diyar Xerib three years ago has now attacked commander Seid Hesen who made peerless efforts for the organisation of the Yazidi people, their self-rule and freedom.