In a statement on the 12th anniversary of the Yezidi genocide, President Masoud Barzani underlined that the abnormal situation imposed on Sinjar by force cannot continue indefinitely. 

“Our Yezidi brothers and sisters must be able to return to the homeland of their fathers and forefathers with dignity and honor, and they must be compensated for the suffering and losses they have endured,” he said.

In October 2020, Baghdad and Erbil signed the Sinjar Agreement in order to facilitate the return of displaced Yezidis and set up a new administration in the area. However, the agreement has not yet been implemented, militias continue to operate in Sinjar, and thousands of Yezidis remain displaced in the Kurdistan Region.

“The crime committed by ISIS terrorists against our Yezidi brothers and sisters 12 years ago will remain an enduring wound in the memory of the people of Kurdistan. The Yezidis were subjected to genocide because of their Kurdish identity, their heritage, and their religious beliefs,” he said. 

“They became the target of hatred, malice, and inhumane brutality at the hands of terrorists. The atrocities committed in Sinjar were a continuation of the long history of tragedies, massacres, and crimes inflicted on the people of Kurdistan.

“We likewise express our deep appreciation to the International Coalition forces, whose vital support for the Peshmerga played a key role in defeating the terrorists.”

In a post on X on the anniversary of the Yezidi genocide, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi stated that “we remember one of the most horrific crimes to shock the conscience of humanity. 

“We reaffirm that honoring the victims requires delivering justice, uncovering the fate of the missing, supporting survivors, rebuilding Sinjar, and ensuring the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of the displaced.”

In a separate statement, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also underlined that the genocide against the Yezidis, marked by the abduction of women and girls and the destruction of Yezidi homes and temples, “remains an open wound in the heart and conscience of the people of Kurdistan. 

“Unfortunately, after 12 years, our Yezidi citizens continue to bear the consequences of political disputes and the presence of unlawful armed groups.

“We reiterate that it is the responsibility of the federal government of Iraq to restore security and stability in Sinjar, implement the Normalization Agreement of Sinjar with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), strive for Sinjar’s designation as a province, and facilitate the withdrawal of illegal armed groups, enabling displaced persons to return safely to their homes.”

“We assure our Yezidi citizens that as long as even one abducted individual remains missing, our office’s dedicated team will continue its efforts to rescue them and uncover their fate.”

According to Dindar Zebari, KRG Coordinator for International Advocacy, ISIS abducted 6,417 people, including 3,548 men and 2,869 women during the genocide, while approximately 5,000 Yezidis were killed and hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

He further stated that the KRG Office for Rescuing Kidnapped Yezidis has so far secured the release of 3,595 abductees, while 2,526 people remain missing.

Zebari added that 135,860 Yezidis continue to live in displacement camps across the Kurdistan Region, while another 189,337 reside in towns and cities throughout the region.

In a post on X, the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil underlined that justice for these atrocities matters.

“So does ensuring lasting security, prosperity, and protection for vulnerable communities,” the U.S. Consulate General said. 

“The U.S. remains committed to working with the Government of Iraq, the KRG, and our international partners to safeguard the fundamental right of religious freedom and help build a future where all Iraqis can live in safety and dignity.”

The Netherlands’ Consulate General also shared a post commemorating the anniversary of the genocide, stating that it remembers “the victims of these horrific crimes and [stands] with the survivors. 

“The Netherlands remains committed to accountability and to supporting the Yezidi community as they rebuild their lives.”