Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – In a statement marking the fourth anniversary of the mass killing and abduction of thousands of Yezidi Kurds by ISIS, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani reaffirmed the Kurdistan Regional Government will continue to work for the liberation of the remaining abductees and to assist in improving the living conditions of all people of Shingal (Sinjar).
He called on the Iraqi Federal Government to proceed with normalization of the situation in Shingal and reconstruction of that region. He also called on the international community to officially recognize the mass killing of Yezidis as genocide and assist in improving the situation of the people of Shingal.
Below is the text of Prime Minister Barzani's statement:
Today is the anniversary of the massacre of Yazidis by the Islamic State terrorist organization ISIS. This mass-killing has deeply marked the history of Kurdistan and humanity as one of the most brutal massacres of the twenty-first century.
During ISIS' attacks on Shingal, 1,293 Yezidi civilians were martyred, 6,417 were abducted, mostly young girls and women, and 2,745 children became orphans. Dozens of Yezidi shrines and temples were destroyed and, so far, 69 mass graves have been discovered. These and many much other evidence are sufficient for the Iraqi parliament and government and the international community to officially recognize the mass-killing of Yezidis as genocide.
The Kurdistan Regional Government will continue to protect Yezidis and provide assistance to displaced people from Shingal. Our Special Office will continue to work to liberate remaining abductees, half of whom have been liberated to date. We continue exerting efforts until all kidnapped Yazidi sisters and brothers are free. As displaced people from Shingal continue to live in harsh conditions, the Kurdistan Regional Government will work to improve their living situation with all available means.
On this deeply sad commemorative day, it is essential that the Iraqi Federal Government begin to normalize the situation, reconstruct and provide services to Shingal so that the displaced people can return safely to their homes.
We also call upon member states of the coalition against ISIS and the rest of the international community to participate in the reconstruction and contribute to improve the living condition of all people of Shingal. Reconstruction and improvement of living conditions of the people of Shingal is a mutual responsibility and a multifaceted task.
Defeating ISIS in Kurdistan, Iraq and the greater region began in Shingal. On this day, we salute all civilian victims of Shingal and the Peshmerga heroes who were martyred in its liberation.
Nechirvan Barzani
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government
03 August 2018