The Shengal Women's Units (YJŞ) Command issued a written statement on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the establishment of YJŞ, saying: "If we are able to fight against all kinds of oppression, violence, attacks and special war practices of the enemy today, it is undoubtedly thanks to Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan). For this reason, we are ready to do whatever needs to be done for the freedom of Leader Apo."

The statement released on Tuesday said:

"As the YJŞ Command, we are celebrating the anniversary of the founding of the YJŞ at a time when actions of the 'Freedom for Öcalan, a political solution to the Kurdish question’ campaign initiated on a global scale, have become widespread in the world. We congratulate this holy day on all our people, especially Leader Apo, who determines our line of freedom. We extend our greetings and love to YJA STAR, HPG, YPJ and YPG that have been fighting for the freedom of our people. The Yazidi community will never forget their labor and sacrifice. The 12 cavalrymen of our time, the warriors of Leader Apo, will always be in our minds and hearts. The price they paid for our people is the source of the strength of the Shengal Women's Units. On this occasion, we respectfully and gratefully commemorate the comrades Gulçîn, Nujiyan, Ezda, Bêrîvan, Şîlan, Nujîn, Rosyar, Denîz, Mam Zekî, Egîd, Dilşêr, Çeko, Dîndar, Pîran, Demhat, Argeş and Tîrêjan who fought for the freedom of our people and fell as martyrs.”

Pointing out that Yazidism is one of the oldest and deep-rooted beliefs in human history, the statement continued: "The sacred land of Mesopotamia is a witness to this deep-rooted and sacred belief. This noble belief and culture, which is based on such moral foundations, originates from the Neolithic period. Yazidism came into existence through the social and moral values created by the matriarchal culture. The Yazidi faith has developed its commitment to faith and to the land by incorporating the values of the matriarchal culture, especially those based on equality, patriotism, love, respect, peace and justice."

Recalling the massacre committed by ISIS against the Yazidi community on August 3, 2014, YJŞ Command stated the following: "In the genocide of August 3, 2014, the Yazidi community was betrayed once again. In those dark days, no one believed that the Yazidis would ever be saved again. In those days, we decided to organize ourselves as YJŞ and protect our faith and culture. Of course, this was not easy because the forces of capitalist modernity were conducting all kinds of special war games to alienate the Yazidi youth from their culture and faith. Leader Apo's philosophy, YJA STAR and YPJ's struggle for our people gave us the strength to fight by resurrecting the spirit that was intended to be destroyed. Thanks to their struggle, belief and will, we have learned how to meet our own essence and fight. Today, as YJŞ, we fight against all kinds of attacks directed against our existence, belief and culture."

Expressing that the YJŞ draws its strength and belief in the struggle from the martyrs and Leader Apo, the YJŞ Command stated that it is ready to do whatever needs to be done for the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.

"We promise our heroic martyrs and Leader Apo, the architect of our existence, that we will not give up the struggle until we ensure the freedom of Leader Apo and our people. We commemorate our martyrs with respect and gratitude once again and bow respectfully before their struggle,” the statement said.

Finally, the YJŞ condemned the international conspiracy that led to Öcalan’s abduction from Kenya and forced departure to Turkey on 15 February 1999.

“We salute our patriotic people who are trying to convey their voices to İmralı through marches for freedom, as well as our comrades who are resisting in the prisons of Northern Kurdistan and Turkey. We stand with them to the very end," the statement concluded.