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Iraqi Yazidi citizens in Dahuk Province, 450 km northern Baghdad, are concerned about the situation and its accelerated implications in the province as well as in some areas of Kurdistan Region following some sectarian attacks on alcohol shops and bars in Dahuk Province. Yazidis began guarding their territories on their own, while the Directorate of Yazidi affairs called security forces to take strict measures to protect citizens.
“The compound residents fear the same attacks that took place last night in Zakho and Samil regions,” mayor of Khanik Al Yazidi Compound Kiran Ido told Alsumarianews. “Since last night, about 400 men are guarding the compound in anticipation of any attack,” Ido added.
“The compound’s residents fear to be targeted,” Ido affirmed calling concerned authorities to “take action towards fixing this unusual situation.”
The worries of Yazidis and other minorities in the Kurdish part of Iraq following Friday’s incidents are justified,” some observers said. “These incidents threaten peace in this region known for its ethnic diversity especially after the latest incidents which Christians considered as targeting them since they are the biggest traders of alcohol in the region,” observers added.
Latest statements of Kurdistan leader Massoud Barazani, on Saturday have increased these components’ fears. “Sabotage attacks in the city of Zakho executed by a group of young people against a number of tourist facilities especially facilities owned by Christians and Yazidis were planned for in advance,” Barazani said accusing some religious scholars of “inciting young people to perform these acts.”
“Attacks against alcohol shops in Zakho and Samil regions frightened citizens which led to have many alcohol shops closed in fear of potential attacks,” said Yazidi citizen Rizan Kajal.
“These incidents didn’t affect alcohol shops’ owners only,” Kajal told Alsumarianews noting that the circulation of Yazidis in the region has been affected as well in fear of attacks.
“Yazidis and Christians are worried following last night’s incidents,” Head of the Yazidi affairs in Kurdistan Region’s Awqaf Ministry Khairi Bouzani revealed. “The majority of people deem sabotages as threatening to all components since it affects the entire society,” he concluded.
Yazidi Religion that was renewed by Sheikh Uday Bin Mousafer on the ninth century A.D is not a missionary religion. It recognizes the existence of God and performs its rituals in Kurdish Language. It is related to an old eastern religion that preserves some customs and believes of old Mesopotamian people. Yazidis in Iraq count more than half a million and live mostly in areas affiliated to Nineveh and Dahuk provinces. More than 20 thousand Yazidis immigrated to Europe in the beginning of the nineties and settled mostly in Sweden and Germany. Lalish Temple in Nineveh Province is the sacred religious center of this religion.
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