NEWS CENTER - After the ISIS attacks, Xidir Bişar Çelkî, who started journalism to make the voice of the Yazidis heard to the world, said, "Despite the obstacles, we continue to be the voice and breath of this society."

 

Yazidis faced the 74th Massacre when ISIS attacked Shengal on August 3, 2014. Thousands of Yazidis were killed in ISIS attacks, thousands were taken prisoner, and tens of thousands of them died on their way to emigration. When the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) forces fled when the attacks started, a group of HPG members came to the aid of the Yazidis. The Yazidis, who were saved thanks to the humanitarian corridor opened, established by the Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) and the Women's Resistance Units (YJŞ). YBŞ and YJŞ, together with a group of HPG members, fought against ISIS and liberated Shengal on November 13, 2015.

 

The Yazidis, who suffered greatly from the ISIS attacks, faced new attacks in the following period. Yazidis, whose gains were targeted with the "Shengal Agreement" signed between Baghdad and Hewlêr under pressure from the USA and Turkey, are frequently targeted with Turkey's Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones).

 

Witnessing the ISIS attacks, Xidir Bişar Çelkî started journalism to let the world know what the Yazidis went through after the liberation of Shengal. Çelkî continues his professional activities at the Êzidî agency Zêwe, which was opened almost a year ago and stands out with its news about Êzidîs.

 

WHAT YAZIDIS HAVE GINE THROUGH

 

Referring to the ISIS attacks he witnessed, journalist Çelki stated that the Êzidîs resisted very strongly against ISIS. Expressing that he witnessed the resistance of the people, Çelkî described what happened at that time as follows: “At that time, a great savagery was perpetrated against the Yazidis. The forces that said, "We will not leave the Yazidis alone, we will defend them," left the Yazidis to their fate.  But the Yazidis resisted. In the villages of Sibayê and Girzerîka, Yazidis resisted. Clashes between ISIS and Yazidi youth in these villages continued for up to 10 hours. They turned their backs on the Yazidis and left them face to face with massacre. Yazidis went through a massacre. Very painful things happened. Death, massacre, tears… Women were raped, houses were plundered. Before the Yazidis reached Shengal, they went through a great massacre in the villages of Koço and Hirdan. But the Yazidis were saved by the Yazidis. They liberated their land with their own hands. It was something very meaningful and important.”

 

'I BECOME A JOURNALIST AGAINST VIOLENCE'

 

Expressing that he started journalism to convey the pain the suffering and the resistance of the Yazidis to the world, Çelkî said, “There were very few journalists here at that time. Because all the roads for journalists to enter here were closed. The gates of Rojava and Bashure Kurdistan were closed. Journalism back then was much more difficult and demanding. I decided to become a journalist to let the world know about the resistance and suffering of the Yazidis and the brutality of ISIS. It was a very difficult job. I took this decision after Shengal was liberated. The Yazidis resisted. Showing and reflecting this resistance was my duty, like every other Yazidi youth. I try to do that with journalism."

 

'WE ARE THE VOICE OF THE YAZIDIS'

 

Emphasizing that he will continue to be the voice of Yazidis with his camera under all circumstances and conditions, Çelkî said, “Journalists are free here, up to a point. Opportunities are very limited. We act with the awareness of 'How can we serve this society'. Despite all the obstacles, we will continue to be the voice of this society.”