JINHA

SHENGAL – YPJ Shengal, the Êzidî women’s force founded one year ago on January 5 to defend against Daesh massacres, promised to struggle to save all Êzidî women and called on Êzidî women to join the defense force in a statement.

YPJ Shengal (Women’s Defense Forces Shengal) released a written statement on the occasion of the first anniversary of its founding. “In the August 3 order [for a massacre], it was undoubtedly us Êzidî women who experienced the most pain and genocide,” said the statement, referring to the August 3, 2014 attack on the city of Shengal. “Thousands of Êzidî women were taken prisoner and sold in bazaars. We formed our own defense units based on the experience we gained from this pain and shortly after this, we sped up our struggle for the liberation of Shengal. Just as we played an important role in the liberation of Shengal, our struggle and training will continue after this, as well.”

The statement noted that thousands of Êzidî women are still being sold in bazaars in cities like Tel Afer and Mosul. The YPJ Shengal promised to play an important role in liberating the region from Daesh.

“As we know that it is our fundamental duty to save all captive Êzidî women and to secure their safety, we renew our promise to increase our struggle and we call all Êzidî women who are dedicated to their country and their freedom to join our units,” said the statement. “We know that it is our fundamental duty to strengthen our defense units and prevent new pains because of the reality that a people without defense in the Middle East is constantly in danger. Based on this, we celebrate the foundation of the YPJ Shengal unit on behalf of all our people and our women’s liberation struggle.”

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