Iraqi court issues warrant for Yazidi commander Qassim Shasho

SINJAR, Northwest,— A court in Nineveh in northern Iraq has issued an arrest warrant for Qassim Shasho, the commander of the Yazidi Peshmerga unit in the Shingal (Sinjar) district. The warrant, issued on Thursday, charges Shasho with blasphemy, accusing him of “insulting Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, and inciting religious conflict.”

Shasho had stated, “The sufferings of Yazidis will not end as long as Islam exists,” a comment that has sparked significant controversy and led to the legal action against him.

The charges against Shasho stem from a video circulating on social media in which he made controversial remarks about the ongoing suffering of the Yazidi community.

In the video, Shasho can be heard stating, “We should not say orders have ended. Orders will not end as long as we live. I stand by what I say: as long as Mohammed [referring to Islam] is followed, the orders against us will continue. They are adversaries to our faith.”

The term “order,” or “farman” in Kurdish, is a deeply significant term for the Yazidi community. It is used to describe the many calamities and genocides that have been inflicted upon them throughout history.

Yazidis believe they have endured 73 such genocides, the most recent being the atrocities committed by the Islamic State (ISIS) when they overran large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The brutal ISIS campaign against the Yazidis resulted in the deaths of around 5,000 men and older women in the Shingal district. Many were buried in mass graves, while nearly 7,000 women and children were captured and enslaved. The horrific events in Shingal remain a fresh wound in the collective memory of the Yazidi community.

Shasho’s remarks have sparked widespread debate and controversy, both within Iraq. Critics argue that his statements are inflammatory and could incite further violence and tension between religious groups.

On the other hand, some defend his words, claiming they reflect the harsh realities faced by the Yazidis, as outlined in certain verses of the Quran, which they interpret as sanctioning violence against non-Muslims.

One of the Quranic verses often cited in this context is Ayah 29 from Surah At-Tawbah, which reads: “Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day, and who do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, and who do not follow the religion of truth, among those who were given the Scripture, until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.” Another verse from the same Surah (9:5) states: “But when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them, and capture them, and besiege them, and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, then let them go on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”

The verses in the Quran are clear, do not require interpretation and a blanket call for violence against non-Muslims, according to experts.

iKurd’s expert Henase Karim says “Many Muslim clerics claim that ISIS does not practice true Islam, but the opposite is the case. All the actions of ISIS terrorists align with the teachings of the Quran, including the killings that are referenced in it. Islamic State leader Al-Baghdadi holds a doctorate in Islamic studies, so he adheres strictly to what Islam calls for.”

In response to the backlash, Shasho confirmed the authenticity of the video but clarified that he did not intend to disrespect Islam or its followers. Nevertheless, the video has fueled a range of reactions, from hate speech and criticism to expressions of support for Shasho’s stance. Some social media users warned that his comments could exacerbate the already precarious situation for the Yazidis, while others argued that Muslims should be more open to such criticisms.

The impact of the video and the subsequent arrest warrant has been profound, particularly within the Yazidi community. Following the video’s circulation, many Yazidis reported receiving hate speech and threats online. Yazda, an organization that advocates for Yazidis and provides support to genocide survivors, issued a statement urging both national and international actors to prioritize the safety of the Yazidi community.

Haidar Shasho, Qassim Shasho’s nephew and a military commander in the Ezidixan protection forces, also weighed in on the controversy. He argued that the situation had been exaggerated and that the uproar was being used by supporters of ISIS to sow discord. “Despite our efforts to clarify, this issue has been significantly overstated. The intention is to confuse matters, which is why supporters of ISIS are taking advantage of it,” Haidar Shasho said in an interview with Rudaw TV on Thursday. He warned that if such actions continue, the Yazidi community would be compelled to take a stand, noting that those criticizing them now had remained silent in the face of past violations and neglect against their people.

The Kurdistan Region Presidency also addressed the growing tension, condemning the hate speech that had emerged on social media in the wake of Shasho’s remarks. In a statement released on Friday, the presidency emphasized the importance of respecting all beliefs and religions, asserting that any violation or disrespect towards any faith was unacceptable.

As tensions continue to rise, there have been reports of Yazidis fleeing the Kurdistan Region, where they had sought refuge from ISIS, and returning to their homes in Shingal. Yazidi NGOs operating on the ground reported that between 370 and 700 Yazidi families have escaped their tents in IDP camps in Iraq’s Kurdistan region and returned to Shingal, often leaving behind most of their belongings.

Murad Ismail, a prominent Yazidi activist, expressed his astonishment at the lack of governmental or judicial response to the targeting of the Yazidi community. “It’s remarkable that when a Yazidi makes a mistake or is perceived to have done so, it serves as an excuse to attack all Yazidis and their faith. What is particularly concerning is the absence of any governmental or judicial response, which suggests that this targeting is somehow acceptable,” he said.

The situation remains tense, with many Yazidis fearing that the controversy could lead to further violence and persecution. As the region grapples with these complex and deeply rooted issues.

In August 2014, the Sinjar district in northwest Iraq witnessed one of the most horrific acts of violence against a religious minority in recent history. Islamic State (ISIS) militants launched a brutal assault on the Yazidi community, resulting in widespread killings, abductions, and a humanitarian crisis that continues to affect the survivors today. The attack followed the withdrawal of Barzani’s Kurdish Peshmerga forces, which left the Yazidis vulnerable and defenseless against the onslaught.

As ISIS advanced on August 3, 2014, many Yazidis sought refuge on Mount Sinjar, where they faced dire conditions, including severe shortages of food and water. Thousands were captured, while many others were killed in the chaos. Reports indicate that approximately 3,000 Yazidis lost their lives in the initial days of the assault, and around 6,800 were abducted. The militants targeted women and girls for sexual slavery, subjecting them to horrific abuses, while men and boys were often murdered, forced into labor, or coerced into becoming child soldiers.

Tribal leader and the head of Kurdistan Democratic Party KDP party Massoud Barzani, Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, 2023. Photo: Rudaw TV

An unpublished report from the Kurdistan Regional Government reveals that around 18,000 Peshmerga fighters, commanded by former Kurdistan President and KDP party leader Massoud Barzani, retreated without engaging in any defense of the Yazidi community. This lack of protection has left many Yazidis disillusioned with the Barzani leadership, which they hold responsible for the genocide.

In the aftermath of these events, the international community began to take notice. In November 2015, the United Nations described the attacks on the Yazidis as potentially genocidal. By 2016, several countries, including the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and others, officially recognized the killings of Yazidis by ISIS as genocide. Subsequent recognitions came from Armenia in 2018, the Netherlands and Belgium in 2021, and Luxembourg in 2022, culminating in a formal acknowledgment from the German parliament in January 2023. Most recently, on August 1, 2023, the British government also recognized that ISIS had committed acts of genocide against the Yazidi people.

The Yazidis are a religious group with a distinct identity, rooted in ancient Mesopotamian traditions and linked to Zoroastrianism and Sufism. They are predominantly Kurdish-speaking and have lived in the Sinjar region for centuries. Before the 2014 attack, approximately 600,000 Yazidis resided in Iraqi Kurdistan and surrounding areas, particularly in Nineveh Province. As ISIS expanded its control, around 360,000 Yazidis managed to flee, seeking refuge elsewhere.

Today, the Yazidi diaspora extends beyond Iraq, with communities found in Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, Syria, and Europe, particularly Germany, where many have sought asylum since the 1990s. The global Yazidi population is estimated to be around 1.5 million.

Despite the passage of time, the scars of the genocide remain. Thousands of Yazidis are still unaccounted for, and many survivors continue to grapple with trauma and loss. The international recognition of their plight has brought some solace, yet the road to recovery and justice is long and fraught with challenges.

The Yazidi community continues to seek acknowledgment and reparations for the atrocities they suffered. As they work toward rebuilding their lives and preserving their culture, the memory of the genocide serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by extremism and intolerance. The world must not forget the events of 2014 and must continue to support the Yazidis in their quest for justice and healing.