111 PUK Peshmergas Fallen Martyrs While Defending Sinjar

Reports 01:12 PM - 2024-08-03

Yazidi survivors leaving their homes to save themselves.

It has been a decade since the Yezidis were subjected to extermination by Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists. During that time, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) bravely defended the Sinjar area and sacrificed 111 Peshmergas to prevent it from being captured by the terrorists. Nevertheless, the forces of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) abruptly departed the district without notifying the Yezidis and escaped.

According to the Deputy Head of the PUK Headquarters in Nineveh, Sinjar fell into the hands of the terrorists after the KDP forces fled Zummar.

PUK President: Yazidis were Abandoned in Their Native Land

Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), said on the anniversary of the genocide of the Yezidis: “The PUK is striving to reconstruct Sinjar and facilitate the return of the Yezidis to their native territory. Furthermore, it emphasises the necessity of increasing endeavours to find those whose fate remains uncertain and seeks to protect their rights. It aims to be a genuine advocate for the significant Yazidi community in Kurdistan, detached from mere chants and the entanglement of their lives with political disputes. The Yazidis constitute a vital component of Kurdistan's diversity and possess a rich history of fostering harmonious coexistence and fighting for our land."

The KDP forces fled

The PUK's Peshmergas defended, but the KDP forces fled Zummar and Sinjar.

Sheikh Salih Gargari, Deputy Head of the PUK's Nineveh headquarters, told PUKMEDIA: "On August 2, 2014, the PUK Peshmergas were defending the village of Qasarich, located right before Zummar. During this time, the KDP forces abandoned their positions and surrendered Zummar to ISIS. Similarly, on August 3, 2014, the Peshmergas of the KDP departed from the city of Sinjar without notifying its residents, leaving them with little alternative but to take refuge on Mount Sinjar."

He added: "After the KDP forces fled, the PUK forces valiantly defended Zummar and Sinjar, sacrificing 111 martyrs to preserve the Yezidis. The 111th Brigade of the 70th Forces led our people to Mount Sinjar and established a strong security ring around the mountain, enabling us to save almost 300,000 Yazidis."

On August 3, Sinjar was occupied

On August 3rd, 2014, ISIS terrorists launched a vicious attack on Sinjar, the mainland of the Yazidis, and a disputed town in northern Iraq, killing thousands of Yazidi men and abducting women and children to later be forced into slavery. The attack also led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of members of the community. Most of them fled to the Kurdistan Region, while others resettled to neighbouring countries in the region or Western states.

According to unofficial sources, the terrorists massacred more than 3,200 Kurdish Yazidis and kidnapped about 7,000 Yazidis, mostly girls, women, and children, some of whom are still missing.

111 PUK Peshmergas Died Defending Sinjar

A total of 111 PUK Peshmergas lost their lives while protecting Sinjar, while the KDP, which had a force of 11,000 Peshmergas in Sinjar, fled.

Ghayath Surchi, the administrator of the PUK's Mosul headquarters, stated to PUKMEDIA that the PUK Peshmergas defended the district of Sinjar with limited forces, while the KDP, despite having over 11,000 Peshmergas in Sinjar and its surroundings, chose to retreat, leading to the unfortunate situation that affected the Yezidis.

"During the initial day of the Sinjar occupation, the PUK Committee was taken over, resulting in the unfortunate loss of four PUK Peshmergas," stated Surchi.

The PUK has been the creator of the rights of the Yezidis

Under the leadership of President Mam Jalal and now President Bafel, the PUK has consistently backed the Yezidis' quest for their rights. The party also supports any endeavour to officially recognise the Yezidi massacre as an act of genocide.

Ronzi Ziad, a member of the PUK faction in the Iraqi Parliament, stated to PUKMEDIA that the PUK has consistently taken proactive measures to secure the rights of the Yezidis and that the party has made significant endeavours to officially acknowledge the Yezidis' massacre as an act of genocide.

"Recognising the massacre of the Yezidis as genocide by the previous Iraqi government, registration of the land and properties of the Yezidis in Sinjar, and recognising the genocide of the Yezidis around the world are all part of the PUK's efforts to achieve the rights of the Yezidis," she said.

“The PUK has always supported the Yazidis under the leadership of President Mam Jalal and now through the efforts of President Bafel Jalal Talabani, but there are parties that use the Yazidis in political conflicts to prevent them from returning to their homeland."

PUK Politburo: PUK's Efforts to Compensate Yazidis Continue

The PUK's Political Bureau said on the 10th anniversary of the Yezidis' genocide: “The swift departure and disregard of the governing party (the KDP) left only a few chances for resistance and protection. At the onset of the tragedy, the PUK, although facing geographical distance and various challenges, established a defensive barrier with a limited number of personnel and in collaboration with its affiliated organisations in the area. This defensive line provided protection for the majority of internally displaced persons and victims."

"As a responsible Kurdish force, we assert our moral responsibility for the national, patriotic, and humanitarian issues of our people in Sinjar. We emphasise the need to preserve the identity of the Yazidis as an indigenous and thriving Kurdish community," it added.



PUKMEDIA