Qasim Shasho resigns from Shingal commandership

Peshmerga forces commander in Shingal, Qasim Shasho, said on Monday, November 16, that he had stepped down from both of his military position and his political position within the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) ranks after he was not allowed to take part in a ceremony held to select the Ezidi spiritual leader two days ago.

Shasho was the Administrator of KDP Branch 17, NRT reported.

“I have stepped down from the Peshmerga forces command and the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s administratorship in Shingal because I was not respected,” he said. “I will not do political and military work again and will not commit to any parties onwards, either KDP accept it or not.”

On November 14, the Ezidi Spiritual Council picked Ali Ilyas Haji Nasir as the new Baba Sheikh, which is the highest religious position in Ezidism, in an official ceremony, attended by over 250 tribal leaders and famed Ezidi figures, including Mir Hazim Tahsin Beg.

The appointment was rejected by a group of Ezidis and they have decided to select their own spiritual leader.

ISIS militants swept across Sheikhan, Shingal and other predominately-Ezidi populated regions in early August 2014 and committed a genocidal campaign against the ethno-religious community.

Thousands of Ezidis were murdered and another 6,000 were abducted by the militants. Women and girls were raped and sold into slavery, while men and boys were made to become forced laborers.

Some 3,000 Ezidis remain missing.

Reporter’s code: 50101

News Code 90

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