JINHA

SHENGAL – In the city of Shengal, a key site for the Êzidî people, women guerrillas are the ones who protect the sacred sites of the city from Daesh destruction.

Daesh is known for its destruction of historical sites, places of worship and cultural artifacts. On August 3rd, 2014, the Daesh gang raided and occupied the city of Shengal, Iraq. The gang members slaughtered thousands of Êzidîs and abducted more than 7,000 women and children to sell as slaves. Daesh gang members also raided and desecrated Êzidî sacred sites.

Many of the Êzidî people of Shengal were forced to migrate; others have taken up residence in a camp in the mountains near the still-embattled city. For nearly a year now, guerrillas from other parts of Kurdistan as well as recently trained Êzidî fighters have been fighting to liberate the city from Daesh.

Today, women guerrillas have brought Êzidî sites of worship under protection. They have set up defense duties to protect the domed sacred buildings that dot the city. The sites are currently in use by Êzidî people, despite the state of war in the city. YJA STAR guerrilla Zilan Kato, standing guard at the Çilmêran Dome, spoke to RojNews about their work.

"The place we are now is, in addition to being the highest mountain in Shengal, the area of the Çilmêran Dome, a site of belief for the Êzidî people," explained Zilan. "After the massacre, our people headed for places of worship, even though they knew there was an attack on sacred sites. Our people did not abandon their sacred sites or their beliefs. So as YJA STAR forces, we are working to protect the Çilmêran Dome itself as well as the people who have taken up residence in the area."

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