Baghdad, Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi issued an official statement on the anniversary of the atrocities and genocide committed by the ISIS terrorist organization against the Yazidi community and other components of the Iraqi people. He described it as “one of the most heinous crimes that shook the conscience of humanity.” Mr. al-Zaidi affirmed that true loyalty to the victims is embodied in practical national steps. He also stressed that the government prioritizes achieving swift justice, uncovering the fate of the abducted, and providing comprehensive care for the survivors. Additionally, he pledged to continue efforts to rebuild the city of Sinjar. Furthermore, he affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of all displaced persons to their homes.
The Prime Minister noted the coincidence of this tragic anniversary with the commemoration of Arba’een, the fortieth day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. He drew inspiration from the enduring values of resisting injustice and upholding truth and peace. For this reason, he explained that these are the values upon which Iraqis rely in confronting terrorism and its extremist ideology. Speaking about the victories achieved, Al-Zaydi recalled the sacrifices of the security forces in all their branches. In doing so, he expressed his appreciation for the support provided by brotherly and friendly nations and the international coalition forces. He concluded his statement by affirming that the state will be the guarantor of the rights of all its citizens. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of restricting weapons to the official security forces and eradicating corruption to consolidate security and stability.
Kurdistan Region: “An open wound” and demands for the implementation of the Sinjar agreement
For his part, the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Nechirvan Barzani, affirmed in a statement marking the twelfth anniversary that the genocide committed by ISIS against the Yazidis remains an open wound in the conscience of the Kurdish people. Barzani explained that, twelve years later, the Yazidis continue to pay the price for political disputes and the presence of illegal armed groups. Moreover, he stressed the necessity of the departure of these groups and the transformation of Sinjar into a province. This would enable the return of displaced persons. He called on the federal government to restore security, services, and reconstruction to the district. Furthermore, he emphasized the need to implement the agreement on stabilization and normalization in coordination with the Kurdistan Region.
Barzani affirmed that the team from the Kurdistan Region Presidency’s office will continue its work to uncover the fate of the abducted Yazidis as long as even one remains missing. In addition, ongoing international efforts aim to achieve full recognition of these crimes as genocide. He also expressed his gratitude to the people of Duhok Governorate and the Badinan region for hosting the displaced, and to the countries supporting the victims. Furthermore, he commended the resilience of the Yazidi community and the role of the Peshmerga fighters and former President Masoud Barzani in liberating Sinjar.
A tragic background and ongoing efforts to uncover the victims
It is noteworthy that in August 2014, ISIS launched an extensive attack on the Sinjar district, which has a Yazidi majority, committing widespread crimes of genocide. The US State Department indicated in previous reports that the organization killed and enslaved thousands of Yazidis. In addition, it was reported that more than 2,600 women and girls were still missing. At the field level, the Iraqi authorities identified 93 mass graves containing the remains of Yazidi victims. 32 of them are still awaiting discovery in Sinjar and Al-Baaj districts. Meanwhile, the remains of less than 700 people have been exhumed. Also, only 243 bodies were identified to be returned to their families.
