Sema
The 11th Anniversary of the Genocide Committed Against the Ezidis Following the Invasion of Shingal
Today marks the anniversary of the invasion of Shingal and the subsequent genocide committed against our Ezidi brothers and sisters by ISIS terrorists. We stand in reverence and respect for the souls of the martyrs of that tragedy, a deep and unhealed wound in the body of the people of Kurdistan and the conscience of all humanity.
As we recall this catastrophic event and profound tragedy, we also remember with pride and appreciation the great sacrifices and heroic acts of the brave Peshmerga forces, who mobilized to liberate Shingal and its surrounding areas under the leadership of President Barzani. We highly value the noble and supportive stances of the entire people of Kurdistan — especially the residents of Duhok Province and the Badinan region — for their generosity, support, and humanitarian assistance to their Ezidi brothers and sisters.
The Kurdistan Regional Government continues to exert every effort to free all those who remain in captivity and uncover the fate of the missing. At the same time, we are committed to providing ongoing support for the survivors and assistance for those still living in displacement camps, as the unstable and disrupted conditions in Shingal and its surroundings have prevented their safe return home.
On this painful occasion, we once again stress the need for the federal government to take full responsibility in fairly and justly compensating our Ezidi brothers and sisters, supporting the displaced, and paving the way for their dignified return to their areas. This can only be achieved through the full implementation of the Shingal Agreement, which would bring an end to armed presence, remove all illegitimate militias and groups, and establish security and stability in the region.
Regrettably, the failure to implement the agreement and the continuation of the abnormal situation imposed on the area has hindered reconstruction efforts and deprived the city’s residents of the basic services they rightfully deserve.
On the anniversary of the Shingal catastrophe, glory and eternal honor to its martyrs and to all the martyrs of Kurdistan.
Masrour Barzani
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government
August 3, 2025