On October 6, the Ezidi House Center in Qamishli said more than 2,600 Ezidis abducted during the Ezidi Genocide of 2014 remain missing, while efforts to locate them in Syria have reportedly been stalled since the beginning of 2026.
The disruption follows insecurity in northeastern Syria and the February closure of al-Hawl camp, raising fears that surviving abductees may have been transferred before they could be identified and returned. The center continues to handle more than 900 family cases, as relatives in Sinjar and northeastern Syria wait for concrete steps to determine the fate of missing women and children.
Before the recent interruption, the Women’s Protection Units and the Ezidi House Center had helped rescue more than 400 Ezidis who had been abducted by ISIS. Those efforts have now been affected by the changing situation in Syria, leaving families with fewer ways to trace relatives who may still be alive.
The closure of al-Hawl camp has created further uncertainty. The camp had held people suspected of links to ISIS, and reports indicate that some missing Ezidis may have been transferred to other sites across Syria. For families, every transfer can make identification and recovery more difficult.
The Ezidi House Center has held discussions with Syria’s Ministry of Justice and the Syrian National Commission for Missing Persons about locating and releasing Ezidis believed to be held in camps or detention facilities. The center says it has information suggesting that dozens of missing Ezidis may still be held at undisclosed locations.
The names of those locations have not been made public because of concern that extremist networks could move people before they are found. The center has submitted requests for the return of all missing Ezidis and says Syrian authorities have expressed willingness to cooperate.
Human rights advocates have urged Syrian authorities to move beyond general commitments and establish a clear plan to search for the missing, preserve evidence and support affected families. No public timetable has yet been announced for renewed search-and-recovery work.
