Yazidi Woman Rescued from Gaza After Decade-Long Captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman, kidnapped by ISIS in 2014, has been freed from Gaza in a US-led operation. The rescue highlights the ongoing plight of Yazidis, with thousands still missing.
In a significant development, a 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been liberated from Gaza after enduring a decade of captivity. The rescue operation, spearheaded by the United States and involving Jordanian and Iraqi authorities, marks a poignant moment in the ongoing efforts to address the aftermath of the 2014 Yazidi genocide.
The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, was merely 11 years old when she was abducted by Islamic State militants during their brutal campaign against the Yazidi community. This campaign, which occurred approximately 10 years and 6 months ago, resulted in the deaths of over 5,000 Yazidis and the kidnapping of thousands more. The United Nations has officially recognized these atrocities as genocide.
The Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking minority group primarily found in northern Iraq, have a rich cultural heritage dating back millennia. Their monotheistic faith, which incorporates elements of ancient Iranian religions, Zoroastrianism, and Islam, has often been misunderstood, leading to numerous persecutions throughout history. As of 2024, the Yazidi calendar is 6,764 years old, reflecting the ancient roots of this community.
The rescue operation faced numerous challenges due to the complex security situation in Gaza. Silwan Sinjaree, chief of staff of Iraq's foreign minister, revealed that the efforts spanned over four months and involved multiple unsuccessful attempts. The breakthrough came when the woman's captor was killed, providing her with an opportunity to escape and seek repatriation.
On October 1, 2024, US authorities successfully evacuated the young woman from Gaza, facilitating her reunion with family members in northern Iraq. While physically unharmed, she bears the psychological scars of her prolonged captivity and the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
This rescue sheds light on the broader issue of Yazidi captives. Of the more than 6,000 Yazidis captured in 2014, over 3,500 have been rescued or freed. However, approximately 2,600 individuals remain unaccounted for, with many feared dead. Yazidi activists maintain hope that hundreds may still be alive.
The plight of the Yazidis has garnered international attention, with notable figures like Nadia Murad, a former ISIS captive, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for her advocacy work. The Yazidi diaspora has played a crucial role in raising awareness about the genocide and pushing for continued rescue efforts.
"The Islamic State's actions against the Yazidis constitute genocide, a crime under international law."
As the rescued woman begins her journey of recovery, her story serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of the Yazidi genocide and the importance of continued international efforts to address its consequences. The Yazidi community, with its unique traditions such as the celebration of Çarşema Sor (Red Wednesday) as their New Year in April, continues to strive for healing and preservation of their cultural identity in the face of immense challenges.
