Why Turkey has An Interest in Sinjar and How Kurds Take Advantage of the Ezidi Genocide

While the PKK uses the suffering of the Ezidis to gain sympathy and legitimacy in the West, the truth is they are using the Ezidis as a cover for their own plans. The PKK’s actions show that their goal is not to protect the Ezidis, but to establish control in a key area. This is dangerous for Turkey, and the longer the PKK is allowed to stay in Sinjar, the harder it will be for Turkey to push them out.

Turkish Officials in Viranşehir Join Ezidis for Celebration of Ezidi Holiday

On December 20, 2024, the district of Viranşehir in Şanlıurfa witnessed a special celebration in honor of the Ezidi Feast (Ida/Eida Ezdit), one of the most significant religious holidays for the Ezidi people. The holiday program, held at a private hotel, brought together Ezidis, local officials, and other citizens in a festive atmosphere of unity and shared joy.

Swiss Parliament Recognizes the Ezidi Genocide

The resolution specifically addressed the horrific events of August 3, 2014, when the IS launched a large-scale assault on Ezidi-populated areas. During this attack, the terrorist group killed over 5,000 Ezidi men and women, abducted approximately 7,000 people, and subjected countless others to sexual slavery and forced conversions. The fate of approximately 2,600 women and children remains unknown. The United Nations had already classified these atrocities as genocide in 2016, but the Swiss Parliament’s formal recognition represents a significant political and moral statement.

The Unbreakable Spirit of a True Artist

In 2007, Hales fled to Germany with her mother and sister—a country she eventually came to not only appreciate but, one might say, love, for both its freedoms and its values. As a Ezidi, an ethnoreligious group that has faced centuries of persecution, the concept of freedom holds great significance for Hales. She came to deeply understand the value of freedom through the atrocities committed by Islamist groups. The most recent of over 70 Ezidi genocides occurred on August 3, 2014, with thousands of women still held captive by ISIS. “We have lived in captivity long enough; now it is time to stand up for our freedom and our rights,” says Hales.

A Story that Gives Hope

The article explores a Turkish reader’s journey to understanding the Ezidi people, inspired by the suffering of Ezidi women in ISIS attacks, as depicted in Huzursuzluk. The reader advocates for tolerance, secularism, and recognizing minorities like the Ezidis, emphasizing the importance of education, peace, and cultural respect.

10 Years of Silence: A Peaceful Demonstration for the Memory and Justice of the Ezidis

A peaceful demonstration was held in Bonn on December 9-10, 2024, marking the 10th anniversary of silence after the Ezidi genocide. Organized by Ezidi activists, the event included cultural performances, religious hymns, and speeches advocating for justice and international action. A document calling for genocide prevention was sent to the UN. Solidarity actions also took place in Iraq, highlighting the ongoing struggle of the Ezidi people for justice and recognition.

Escalations in Syria Rises Potential Threats to Ezidi Population in the Region

In response to the escalating violence in Syria, the Iraqi government has significantly bolstered military presence along its western border, particularly in the Shingal region, home to Iraq’s Ezidi citizens. The decision to send reinforcements comes as fears grow over the spillover of the Syrian conflict, which has intensified in recent weeks with a series of violent clashes between Syrian rebels and the Syrian regime.