Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today issued the following statement on the tenth anniversary of the Yazidi genocide:

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the genocide against our Yazidi brothers and sisters, which resulted in the massacre of thousands and the displacement and disappearance of tens of thousands of Yazidis on the hands of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization.

After ten years, the pain and suffering of our Yazidi brothers and sisters still remain. Many victims are still missing due to oppression by militias and outlawed armed groups in Sinjar. The situation in the region has not normalized, and the displaced have not been able to return to their homes.

The Kurdistan Regional Government reiterates its commitment to working with the federal government to normalize the situation in Sinjar and its surrounding areas, and to help redevelop the region to facilitate a dignified return of the Yazidi community to their homes.

We emphasize the importance of fully implementing the Sinjar Agreement to pave the way for achieving peace and stability and to entrust the administration and security of the area to its indigenous people.

On this occasion, we honor the sacrifices made by the Peshmerga, led by President Masoud Barzani, in the liberation of Sinjar. And we pay tribute to the martyrs and victims of the Yazidi genocide, along with the rest of the martyrs of the Kurdistan Region.

Masrour Barzani