Turkish warplanes have conducted airstrikes in the Yezidi (Ezidi)-populated city of Shingal in northern Iraq; sources told Kurdistan 24 on Wednesday.
According to the sources, there were some airstrikes to the west of Baraa village, located close to the border with Syria.
“The Free Yezidi Foundation is very worried that Turkey has started striking Sinjar. At this moment we hear that there have been more than five explosions from airstrikes in different areas of Sinjar,” Pari Ibrahim, Founder and Executive Director of the Free Yezidi Foundation, told Kurdistan 24.
She said one airstrike hit a convoy belonging to the Shingal Resistance Units (YBS) as well as some checkpoints.
“We are often asked when Ezidis will be ready to return to Shingal. Among so many concerns about reconstruction, demining IEDs, and basic needs like water, electricity, housing, and employment, the top concern is security. Today, a NATO member conducts airstrikes in Shingal targeting Ezidis,” Ibrahim added.
“The Free Yezidi Foundation calls upon the international coalition, Operation Inherent Resolve, to stop all aggressive airstrikes against Shingal immediately. The international coalition, as we understand, was put together to defeat [the Islamic State (IS)] and defend victimized communities. Shingal can never be the target of such attacks again,” she stated.
