On the 10th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide in Sinjar (Shingal) and its surrounding areas, Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), issued a solemn statement. The following is the full text of the Prime Minister’s message:
“Today marks ten years since the horrific genocide of our Yazidi brothers and sisters in Sinjar and its environs. This atrocity, perpetrated by the barbaric terrorists of ISIS, resulted in the mass murder of thousands of Sinjar residents, with tens of thousands more displaced or still missing.
Although a full decade has passed since this heinous crime, it is deeply regrettable that the suffering of our Yazidi community persists. A significant number remain unaccounted for, and due to the illegal presence of militias and armed groups in Sinjar, the region has yet to return to normalcy, preventing many displaced persons from returning to their homes.
On this somber anniversary, we pay tribute to the sacrifices made by the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces under the leadership of President Barzani. Their bravery and dedication in the face of ISIS aggression will forever be remembered and honored.
The Kurdistan Regional Government reaffirms its commitment to working alongside the Federal Government of Iraq to stabilize Sinjar and its surrounding areas. We are dedicated to the reconstruction and development of the region, with the aim of creating suitable conditions for the dignified return of our displaced Yazidi brothers and sisters to their ancestral lands.
We emphasize the importance of fully implementing the Sinjar Agreement as originally conceived. This is crucial for restoring peace and stability to the region, and ensuring that the protection and administration of the area are entrusted to the indigenous people of Sinjar.
We bow our heads in respect and remembrance of the martyrs and victims of the Sinjar genocide, as well as all the fallen heroes of Kurdistan.”
Additional Context: The Sinjar massacre began on August 3, 2014, when the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS) attacked and captured Sinjar and neighboring towns in Iraq’s Nineveh Governorate. The attack led to the genocide and abduction of thousands of Yazidis, an ethno-religious minority group indigenous to Northern Iraq.
The Sinjar Agreement, signed on October 9, 2020, between the KRG and the Federal Government of Iraq, aims to normalize the situation in Sinjar by removing armed groups and restoring local governance. However, the implementation of this agreement has faced significant challenges due to complex political and security dynamics in the region.
The Kurdistan Regional Government continues to advocate for international recognition of the Yazidi genocide and support for the reconstruction of Sinjar, while also addressing the ongoing humanitarian needs of displaced Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.