Êzidî People: We Have No Hope of Returning

Iraq's Êzidî people who managed to escape attacks from ISIL began to arrive in Turkey.

Some of Êzidîs, who lost their relatives and came to Turkey even without bringing their stuffs, stay in disaster homes in Silopi. Some of them went to their relatives living in other cities such as Konya, Mersin, and Ankara. And some others went to Village Güven (Bacine), which is a Êzidî village in Midyat, Mardin.

Firaz İbrahim Hasan is one of those who escaped to Silopi from Sinjar.

Hasan used to live in a Êzidî Village, Şehan where his great-grandfathers lived as well.

He marched 10 km long with his family of 5 when ISIL came close and they came to Silopi from Zaho with vehicles.

They could bring only things that they really need. Now, they stay in a disaster home in Silopi. He said:

“For 10 days, our Arab friends have advised us to live the village. We waited until the very last moment. ISIL killed 2 of my relatives from another village and we decided to flee after we learned that they approached the village. Enough is enough. I want to go back no more. We have no hope of returning to the village. In last years, they kidnapped 10 girls from our village. They converted them to Muslim and made them marry. The last girl they kidnapped was 11.”

“My 21-year-old son studies in Germany. We want to go to him. I was a teacher and I retired due to disability. My family and I want to live there together. There are still some who want to cross Habur Border Gate, but those in the other side make difficulties.”

100 families arrived in Midyat overnight

Another place where the Êzidî came is a Êzidî Village entitled Güven (Bacine).

Ebuzid Atalan, who was one of 8 remained people from the village of 3000, informed that 100 Êzidîs came to the village last night. Peasants make food, clothing, and blanket allowance to the Êzidî who stay in condolence tent of the village.

“They are all our relatives but we fell apart”

Atalan said that most of comers lost their relatives, they couldn't bring even any stuff and all are frightened.

“One night 100 people came. More will come. They couldn't bring even any stuff. They lost their relatives. So, they hardly survived and arrived here. Some of them escaped from the center. There are some who run away from ISIL attack and go to the mountain and came here.”

“Those who came are all our relatives, but we fell apart during the Ottoman Empire time. They come and say which family they come from. But we already forgot about each other. There are now only a few villages in Mardin and Viranşehir where the Êzidî used to live.

Democratic Society Congress (DTK) is going to visit the village today.

They stay in disaster homes in Silopi

Since Silopi, where the Êzidî came to, is 10 km far from Habur Border Gate, it is also a transition point in one way.

Nesim Oruç, Silopi Municipal Council Member, has asserted that they sent off approximately 50 families to Konya, Mersin, and Ankara where their relatives live from Silopi so far.

Now, 16 families, including 2 families having arrived this morning, stay in disaster homes in Silopi. Municipality launched a crisis desk.

Oruç said that families could flee thanks to the help of taxi drivers from Turkey and also stated that 6-7 people come out of the car and they have only a few stuff.

“Some of comers hope to return. Some of them want to go to relatives in Europe, but they are all worried because they know about conditions of metropolis.” (NV/MUY/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.