A 21-year-old woman, a member of the Yazidi religious minority, was kidnapped by Islamic State militants in Iraq over a decade ago. Recently, she was freed from Gaza in a rescue operation led by the United States, Jordan, and the Baghdad government. This woman, who was just 11 years old when she was taken from her home in Iraq, had been sold and trafficked before being rescued from captivity.
More than 6,000 Yazidis were captured by ISIS in 2014, with many sold into slavery or forced to become child soldiers. The woman’s release is a glimmer of hope in the ongoing efforts to rescue those still missing. Despite being in good physical condition, she has been deeply traumatized by her ordeal and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Now reunited with her family in northern Iraq, this young woman’s story sheds light on the ongoing struggle faced by the Yazidi community. With thousands still missing or feared dead, efforts continue to bring them back to safety and reunite them with their families.