As attacks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and affiliated groups against Rojava continue, popular resistance is also ongoing. The release of large numbers of ISIS members from prisons has pushed the region to the brink of a multi-dimensional security crisis. Although the Iraqi government presents the deployment of Hashd al-Shaabi forces to Shengal as a precautionary measure, the fragile balance in the region has deepened fears within the Êzidî community of a new ferman (edict of massacre).

 

Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) about the threats posed by ISIS to Shengal and the measures taken by Iraq along the border, TAJÊ spokesperson Suham Shengalî shared her assessments.

 

‘THE WOMEN’S REVOLUTION IS BEING TARGETED’

 

Referring to the attacks that began in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo, Shengalî said, “ISIS gangs affiliated with Damascus are attacking our people with the support of the occupying Turkish state, the United States, and international forces. These attacks aim to eliminate all the gains of Rojava.”

 

Emphasizing that the women’s revolution in Rojava is being targeted, Shengalî stated that the real objective is to revive ISIS, adding: “The entire world has seen that the structure brought to power in Syria is ISIS itself. The re-hoisting of the ISIS flag in Raqqa summarizes this reality.”

 

‘THE ENTIRE WORLD IS IN DANGER’

 

Reminding that the ISIS threat is not limited to Rojava, Shengalî said, “Today, the danger applies to the entire world. ISIS has no humanitarian boundaries; when it cannot secure benefits, it even attacks its own supporters. Behind the spread of these attacks are international powers seeking to leave the peoples of the region without status.”

 

‘ISIS IS BEING BROUGHT TO IRAQ’

 

Stating that the risk of ISIS crossing into Iraq is growing, Shengalî said, “The war has reached the Iraq–Syria border line, particularly Shengal. The opening of the gates of al-Hol Camp creates a major risk. ISIS wants to complete the plans it left unfinished in 2014.”

 

Recalling that Kobanê and Shengal were the sites of ISIS’s first major defeats, Shengalî added, “Just as they are attacking Kobanê, they will attack Shengal in the same way tomorrow. However, YJŞ and YBŞ are the children of this society; they will never abandon their people.”

 

MEETING IN MOSUL

 

Saying that the Iraqi Ministry of Defense’s statements claiming “we are protecting the borders” should not be trusted, Shengalî recalled the experiences of 2014: “Similar promises were made back then, but when ISIS arrived, those forces dropped their weapons and fled. Currently, the Iraqi army is concentrated at the Rabia border. However, a secret meeting was held in Mosul with the participation of the Turkish state, the Governor of Mosul, and American officials. After this meeting, the United States evacuated its bases in Anbar, Iraq’s largest province, where ISIS sympathy is high.”

 

Pointing out that critical points such as the al-Bukamal crossing remain under ISIS control, Shengalî questioned why Iraqi forces are not present in these areas.

 

‘25,000 ISIS MEMBERS WERE RELEASED’

 

Shengalî stated that approximately 25,000 ISIS members were released in Iraq under a general amnesty and that some were placed in state institutions. “We have documents proving this. Therefore, Êzidîs cannot trust this army or this government. These individuals who crossed into Iraq are being prepared to suppress a potential popular uprising. In Mosul, they capture one leader while releasing thousands of militants,” she said.

 

‘THE GROUND IS BEING PREPARED FOR A NEW GENOCIDE’

 

Emphasizing that the United States wants to revive ISIS in Iraq, Shengalî concluded with the following call:

 

“The person brought to power in Syria today was previously imprisoned in Iraq. Individuals designated as terrorists by the US are now being made leaders. The United States wants to revive ISIS in Iraq, and ISIS is growing stronger here. Therefore, the Êzidî community must be vigilant. The Êzidî people have faced 74 fermans but have not been destroyed. We are no longer defenseless; every individual can defend themselves. We must not trust the hypocrisy of international powers. If you do not protect yourself, no one will protect you. Everyone must act with this responsibility to prevent a new genocide.”

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut