PKK Refused Money from Yezidis Fleeing ISIS

By Amy L Beam:

An estimated 25,000 Yezidi refugees fleeing the Islamic State (IS or ISIS) attack of their homeland in Shengal, Iraq, have fled through the mountains to Roboski, Turkey (North Kurdistan).   They have been sheltered and fed by Kurds from Roboski north to Diyarbakir and west to Mardin.

I have visited ten Yezidi refugee camps in southeast Turkey (North Kurdistan).  In every location, Yezidis gathered around to state that the PKK helped them all the way from Shengal to Turkey.  All Yezidis insisted that the PKK refused all money from the Yezidis fleeing the Islamic State attacks.

Several Yezidis in Batman and elsewhere stated that not only did the PKK refuse money, but they also ordered taxi and bus drivers to refund the money they had charged to Yezidis for driving them to the PKK at the mountain north of Zakho, Iraq.  The PKK is enforcing a strict policy that all services and aid to Yezidi refugees is to be given free of charge.  The PKK provided security, transportation, food, blankets, and guiding from Shengal (also known as Sinjar or Şingale) to the mountain border between Iraq and Turkey.

When Yezidis in the Batman camp heard of the CNNTurk TV report and the BasNews online report that PKK was demanding payment from Yezidis to cross the border into Turkey at Roboski, a huge chorus of protest rose up in the crowd of Yezidis who had gathered to tell their stories.

On Sept. 7, 2014, BasNews reported under the headline “PKK Forces Yazidis to Pay Money to Smuggle Them Into Syria or Turkey”:

“. . . fighters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have put a price of between $50 and $200 to smuggle Yazidis into Turkey or Syria.  Sharwan Ibrahim, a Yazidi refugee from Sinjar, told BasNews that PKK fighters force refugees to pay $50 – 200 to smuggle them into Syrian Kurdistan or Turkey.”

From among more than 1000 Yezidis that this writer spoke with in 10 different locations in Turkey, not one person reported paying the PKK or hearing of anyone else who had paid the PKK.  Every Yezidi stated unequivocally that without the PKK to protect them, feed them, and guide them to Turkey, they would not have made it to safety.

Amy Beam meets with Yezidis in Roboski School Sept 4

Amy Beam meets with Yezidis in Roboski School Sept 4

Yezidi mother at Hilal school describes how ISIS killed son

Yezidi mother at Hilal school describes how ISIS killed son

Sirnak camp with Mt. Cudi in background

Sirnak camp with Mt. Cudi in background

Sirnak warehouse building donated by private businessman

Sirnak warehouse building donated by private businessman

Siirt donated housing 5km outside of city

Siirt donated housing 5km outside of city

Yezidis surround Beam in Siirt commune to tell their stories

Yezidis surround Beam in Siirt commune to tell their stories

Ismail Silo in Batman describes how ISIS killed 18 of his cousins

Ismail Silo in Batman describes how ISIS killed 18 of his cousins

Yezidis in Batman gather around to tell Beam their stories

Yezidis in Batman gather around to tell Beam their stories

Beam listens to Yezidis and camp manager in Bismil Sept 11

Beam listens to Yezidis and camp manager in Bismil Sept 11

Fikret Taskin (left), DBP, Fekire village, Batman

Fikret Taskin (left), DBP, Fekire village, Batman

A reported 2700 Yezidis are in Midyat camp behind fences.  No one is allowed to visit

A reported 2700 Yezidis are in Midyat camp behind fences. This camp is controlled by the Turkish authorities. No one is allowed to visit

 

Dr. Amy L. Beam promotes tourism in eastern Turkey at Mount Ararat Trek and writes in support of Kurdish human rights.  She has been following the Yezidis from Roboski border north.  Follow her on Twitter @amybeam or email her at amybeam@yahoo.com.

Follow other news stories on Yezidis by Amy L Beam at http://kurdistantribune.com/?s=amy+l+beam

One Response to PKK Refused Money from Yezidis Fleeing ISIS
  1. […] Yezidis have fled with the clothes on their backs to the safety of Turkey.  At least 21,000 were guided on foot by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to the mountain pass then into the village of Roboski, Turkey (North […]

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