HRW claimed in a report two days ago that armed groups affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have recruited boys and girls, and that these groups sent children into direct combat, placing them at risk by training them in areas that Turkey has attacked with airstrikes in its conflict with the PKK, such as Iraq’s Qandil mountain area.

Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) General Command released a statement which denied the report and said it was aimed to defame the YBŞ.

The statement underlined that: “YBŞ is a force made up of Êzidî women and men that protects the rights of the Êzidî people. The establishment of YBŞ created a huge confidence among the society. However, some circles are disturbed by this development and they want to defame the YBŞ before the world, to which end they make evaluations far from the reality. This most recent report by HRW is biased and we don't accept such an attitude from such a human rights organisation. All the YBŞ fighters are aged above 18 years and the recruitment of children cannot be accepted by our side under no circumstance.”

"YBŞ IS THE ASSURANCE OF ÊZİDÎ CHILDREN"

The statement underlined that YBŞ was founded under quite challenging circumstances and has become the life assurance of the Êzidî children today, adding: "Where were these human rights organisations while thousands of children of ours died of thirst on these paths? Where were they while YBŞ fighters fell martyr in order to rescue thousands of Êzidî women and children from ISIS and to liberate their lands? They want to defame the YBŞ by bringing up such false claims today."

The statement continued, "Our country is under the occupation of gangs who still hold thousands of children of ours captive. It is the YBŞ that fights against the ISIS and works to rescue the hostages today. Instead of assisting those that fight ISIS for the rescue of these children, these organisations are being an instrument to the anti-propaganda of ISIS supporters."

"THESE REPORTS ARE SPREAD BY THOSE WHO DON'T WANT ÊZİDÎS TO HAVE A WILL"

YBŞ General Command stressed that they are fighting to attain a free future for the children, adding: “Such claims are far from the truth. We call on these circles to not be a part of the malevolent powers. These reports are given and spread by those who do not want Êzidîs to have a will. Some persons are playing with the future of our people for the sake of their personal interests and some money."

"WE INVITE THE HRW TO THE BATTLE FRONT"

YBŞ stated that they are inviting the HRW to the battle front in order to examine the emplacements of their fighters and see the truth for themselves before publishing such reports.

"We remain in our emplacements and we are fighting the enemy along a line extending from Shengal up to the border with Rojava. We invite the HRW to be our guest and to see who and how old our fighters are. We take our strength from the people and the Êzidî people protect their self-power."