Barzani on Anniversary of IS Genocide Against Yezidis: We Stay Alive

Prominent Kurdish leader and the president of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, released a statement on the fifth anniversary of the Islamic State (IS) genocide against the Kurdish Yezidis, saying that the nation stays alive.

“On 3rd August, we commemorate the victims of an appalling tragedy. According to all principles, the IS massacre against the people of Sinjar constitutes to genocide,”.

Domestic and international efforts should be intensified to recognize the tragedy as genocide, and to find and free the remaining abductees.”

Barzani also called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Government of Iraq to devise a plan for Sinjar’s reconstruction and a safe return for the IDPs. He noted that the Yezidis should be allowed to govern their areas.

“Sinjar massacre is an extension of previous massacres against our people; but it is our nation that stayed alive. Once again, we reiterate our support for our Yezidi brothers and sisters who are an integral component of our nation,” the statement continues.

 

Barzani also payed tribute to the victims of Sinjar genocide and the Peshmerga troops who sacrificed their lives to liberate the Yezidi hometown.