Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has marked the twelfth anniversary of the genocide and mass atrocities committed against the Yezidi community, paying tribute to the victims and reaffirming the Kurdistan Region's commitment to justice, the return of displaced people, and the rescue of those who remain missing.

In a statement issued on the anniversary, the Kurdistan Region President honored the memory of the Yezidi martyrs, describing the genocide—including the mass killings, abduction of women and girls, and destruction of homes and sacred temples—as an enduring wound in the conscience of the people of Kurdistan.

President Barzani noted that, despite the passage of twelve years, many Yezidis continue to suffer the consequences of political disputes and the presence of unlawful armed groups in Sinjar. He stressed that the Federal Government of Iraq bears responsibility for restoring security and stability in the district, implementing the Sinjar Normalization Agreement in coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government, pursuing Sinjar's designation as a province, and ensuring the withdrawal of illegal armed groups to enable the safe and voluntary return of displaced residents.

The President also reaffirmed that the Kurdistan Region Presidency would continue its efforts to determine the fate of all abducted Yezidis. He pledged that the Presidency's dedicated team would persist in its work until every missing person is accounted for and reiterated support for international initiatives seeking universal recognition of ISIS's crimes against the Yezidis as genocide.

Expressing appreciation to the people of Duhok and the Badinan region, President Barzani thanked them for opening their homes, schools, and mosques to displaced Yezidi families during the darkest days of the humanitarian crisis. He also extended gratitude to the countries that have officially recognized the atrocities as genocide and have supported the Yezidi community.

Concluding his statement, the Kurdistan Region President praised the resilience of the Yezidi community and paid tribute to the martyrs and to the Peshmerga forces who, under the leadership of President Masoud Barzani, fought against ISIS, sacrificed their lives, and played a decisive role in the liberation of Sinjar and the defense of Kurdistan.