What's happened
On the 10th anniversary of the Islamic State's assault on Sinjar, the Yazidi community remembers the victims of genocide. Survivors recount harrowing experiences, while many families remain torn apart, with thousands still missing. The community grapples with the trauma and the fate of children born from captivity complicates their healing process.
What's behind the headline?
Ongoing Trauma
- Survivors continue to face psychological scars from their experiences.
- Many families remain separated, with 2,600 Yazidis still missing.
Community Challenges
- The return of survivors is complicated by societal stigma against children born from captivity.
- Traditional beliefs clash with the realities of reintegration for these children.
Future Outlook
- Rebuilding efforts in Sinjar are hindered by lack of resources.
- The community's resilience is tested as they navigate their path to healing.
What the papers say
The Guardian highlights the emotional remembrance ceremonies held for the Yazidi victims, emphasizing the ongoing pain of survivors like Shiren Ibrahim Ahmed, who recalls her traumatic experiences. SBS reports on Hayam Mihi, who was taken captive at 16 and endured severe mistreatment, illustrating the personal toll of the genocide. The Independent discusses the societal challenges faced by children born from IS captivity, revealing the complex dynamics within the Yazidi community as they attempt to reconcile their past with their future. The Times of Israel provides insight into the struggles of returnees like Rihan Ismail, who confront the harsh realities of their homeland's destruction and the loss of family members.
How we got here
In August 2014, the Islamic State launched a brutal campaign against the Yazidi community in Iraq, resulting in mass killings, abductions, and sexual slavery. This assault led to the displacement of thousands and left a lasting impact on the community, with many still unaccounted for a decade later.
Go deeper
- What are the current conditions in Yazidi refugee camps?
- How is the international community responding to the Yazidi plight?
- What support is available for Yazidi survivors?
More on these topics
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The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, officially known as the Islamic State and also known by its Arabic-language acronym Daesh, is a militant group and a former unrecognised proto-state that follows
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Yazidis are an endogamous and mostly Kurmanji-speaking minority, indigenous to Upper Mesopotamia. The word "Yazidi" means "the servant of the creator".
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Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeastern Europe.
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Sinjar is a town in the Sinjar District of the Nineveh Governorate in northern Iraq. It is located about five kilometers south of the Sinjar Mountains. Its population in 2013 was estimated at 88,023, and is predominantly Yazidi.
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Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon to the southwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.
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Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in Western Asia, bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest and Syria to the west.