When ISIS invaded Sinjar, the region in North-Iraq where the Jezidi's live, they killed the men and kidnapped the girls, boys and women. Girls and women became slaves in the homes of ISIS fighters, were subjected to rape and torture and often sold off to multiple 'owners'. Boys were sent to ISIS training camps, brainwashed and made into their soldiers. These are portraits of people who have survived this ISIS captivity.
Ayman Eido, 16, from Hardan. Now lives in Sinjar, Iraq.
Ayman was held captive by ISIS for 2 years, and repeatedly sold off on slave markets in Mosul, Tel Affar and Raqqa. She lost 21 family members, including two brothers and one sister. She was 9 years old when she was captured by ISIS, separated from her family and subjected to rape and abuse. 'He picked up any item he could find to beat me with. He beat me almost daily and every time his family came to watch.' After a few months, the ISIS fighter sold her off to his brother who was 40 years older than her. 'When he touched me I started to cry, I tried to resist but he was too strong. He tied me to the bed and administered morphine to quiet me down. Several times I tried to commit suicide with his gun, but every time he managed to stop me just in time.'
Ayman was held captive by ISIS for 2 years, and repeatedly sold off on slave markets in Mosul, Tel Affar and Raqqa. She lost 21 family members, including two brothers and one sister. She was 9 years old when she was captured by ISIS, separated from her family and subjected to rape and abuse. 'He picked up any item he could find to beat me with. He beat me almost daily and every time his family came to watch.' After a few months, the ISIS fighter sold her off to his brother who was 40 years older than her. 'When he touched me I started to cry, I tried to resist but he was too strong. He tied me to the bed and administered morphine to quiet me down. Several times I tried to commit suicide with his gun, but every time he managed to stop me just in time.'
Layla Taloo. Now lives in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Layla was held captive by ISIS for almost 3 years, together with her children. 'I was forced to work as a slave in their household. The lady was jealous of her man who had another woman. That is why she set out to make things worse for me. She urged and incited him to abuse and rape me, to hit me more.'
Layla was held captive by ISIS for almost 3 years, together with her children. 'I was forced to work as a slave in their household. The lady was jealous of her man who had another woman. That is why she set out to make things worse for me. She urged and incited him to abuse and rape me, to hit me more.'
Sipan, 23, now lives in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Sipan has been away from her home for 7 years. 5 years she spent in ISIS captivity in Syria and 1,5 years spent with a family in Syria before she could find a way back home. Around 3 years into her captivity, she ran into her brother in Syria, who was also captured by ISIS. In him she confided her last wish, which was to have a tombstone made for her, as she was certain she would die here. Her brother managed to escape and didn't hear from her for many years, presuming she was dead. He made the grave, with her picture on it. Only a few months ago, they finally could be reunited. The picture and little frame with her name that was put on the grave is still standing in the closet in her room. Only shortly after they were reunited, the news came that her mother - hospitalised in Germany, due to injuries sustained during ISIS captivity as well- had passed away. Neither of them had seen their mother, as both German and Kurdish authorities didn't allow a visit either way. Sipan was wounded twice during her ISIS captivity. Once due to airstrikes. A second time when her captors were transporting her to Lebanon. They hit an IED and died in the explosion. Sipan was laying on the road severely injured until a Syrian family came along and helped her. She had no phone or social media when she was captured and thus no way of reaching anybody home. After 1,5 years she finally managed to cross back into Iraq with help of the YPG. Now she lives with her brother Majdjal in the home of their elder brother, having lost both their parents and many other family members.
Sipan has been away from her home for 7 years. 5 years she spent in ISIS captivity in Syria and 1,5 years spent with a family in Syria before she could find a way back home. Around 3 years into her captivity, she ran into her brother in Syria, who was also captured by ISIS. In him she confided her last wish, which was to have a tombstone made for her, as she was certain she would die here. Her brother managed to escape and didn't hear from her for many years, presuming she was dead. He made the grave, with her picture on it. Only a few months ago, they finally could be reunited. The picture and little frame with her name that was put on the grave is still standing in the closet in her room. Only shortly after they were reunited, the news came that her mother - hospitalised in Germany, due to injuries sustained during ISIS captivity as well- had passed away. Neither of them had seen their mother, as both German and Kurdish authorities didn't allow a visit either way. Sipan was wounded twice during her ISIS captivity. Once due to airstrikes. A second time when her captors were transporting her to Lebanon. They hit an IED and died in the explosion. Sipan was laying on the road severely injured until a Syrian family came along and helped her. She had no phone or social media when she was captured and thus no way of reaching anybody home. After 1,5 years she finally managed to cross back into Iraq with help of the YPG. Now she lives with her brother Majdjal in the home of their elder brother, having lost both their parents and many other family members.
Mazdjal, 23, now lives in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Mazdjal is the brother of Sipan. He was captured by ISIS and subjected to their programs of brainwashing and torture to become an ISIS soldier or suicide bomber.
Mazdjal is the brother of Sipan. He was captured by ISIS and subjected to their programs of brainwashing and torture to become an ISIS soldier or suicide bomber.
Sayfi, 30, from Solag village. Now lives in Sinjar, Iraq.
Sayfi was in ISIS captivity for 5 years. Sayfi was kept in Tel Afar with her family, but separated from her family after 1,5 month. ‘Then we were transported to a big factory, where they held me for 4 days before an ISIS member bought me as ‘’Sabaya’’ – a sex slave.’ Sayfi was beaten daily and living in inhumane conditions with the ISIS member and his wife. ‘In their eyes I was not a human being, but an unbeliever. The one time I would be abused and beaten up by him, the other time by his wife. ''There is no one who has helped me. From my whole family only my mother and father survived the genocide. I have lost all loved ones. To this day no one has supported or helped me, There has been no organisation, ngo or anyone to help me get over my trauma. This is why I don’t see any future for me. As a victim, I live in this small, broken house, without any trauma treatment, without any help.’
Sayfi was in ISIS captivity for 5 years. Sayfi was kept in Tel Afar with her family, but separated from her family after 1,5 month. ‘Then we were transported to a big factory, where they held me for 4 days before an ISIS member bought me as ‘’Sabaya’’ – a sex slave.’ Sayfi was beaten daily and living in inhumane conditions with the ISIS member and his wife. ‘In their eyes I was not a human being, but an unbeliever. The one time I would be abused and beaten up by him, the other time by his wife. ''There is no one who has helped me. From my whole family only my mother and father survived the genocide. I have lost all loved ones. To this day no one has supported or helped me, There has been no organisation, ngo or anyone to help me get over my trauma. This is why I don’t see any future for me. As a victim, I live in this small, broken house, without any trauma treatment, without any help.’
Diane. Now lives in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Shireen, 27, from Hardan village. Now lives in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Shireen was in captivity for almost 3 years, held in Mosul. 'I was raped and almost beaten to death.’ During the time she was held in Mosul, she and other Yazidi captives felt so hopeless about their situation, that they lost hope to even die. Death would be a release from the terrible suffering, and for many Yazidi captives something they would hope for after years of being captured. Shireen tried to commit suicide 4 times, but says anybody who attempted to do this was prevented by ISIS in doing so. Eventually, she managed to escape, while the city of Mosul was being heavily bombarded in the fighting to liberate the city from ISIS. When she was finally released, she says it was not easy to re-enter society and start living. She had to work hard for it, she joined high school again and now is studying in Duhok university.
‘But while those things are important, still the one thing that is in my mind all the time is the genocide. I was shocked that Iraqi government and the world watched what happened to us and did nothing. That is why I decided to become an activist, to stand up for the Yezidi community and the rights of minorities.’
Shireen was in captivity for almost 3 years, held in Mosul. 'I was raped and almost beaten to death.’ During the time she was held in Mosul, she and other Yazidi captives felt so hopeless about their situation, that they lost hope to even die. Death would be a release from the terrible suffering, and for many Yazidi captives something they would hope for after years of being captured. Shireen tried to commit suicide 4 times, but says anybody who attempted to do this was prevented by ISIS in doing so. Eventually, she managed to escape, while the city of Mosul was being heavily bombarded in the fighting to liberate the city from ISIS. When she was finally released, she says it was not easy to re-enter society and start living. She had to work hard for it, she joined high school again and now is studying in Duhok university.
‘But while those things are important, still the one thing that is in my mind all the time is the genocide. I was shocked that Iraqi government and the world watched what happened to us and did nothing. That is why I decided to become an activist, to stand up for the Yezidi community and the rights of minorities.’
