Ezidis in Şengal reaffirm that their safety and ability to control their own security are fundamental rights. Any attempt to undermine local defense structures or allow external interference threatens their survival and identity.
The holiday of Xidir Êliyas and Xidir Nebî is a sacred Ezidi holiday honoring the immortal saints Xidir Êliyas and Xidir Nebî, guardians of life, love, and protection. Observed each year in February, the days combine voluntary fasting, preparation of symbolic foods called the Sacred Seven, and rituals that invite blessings into the home. From the mystical hoofprint sign to the making of Pekhûn, the holiday celebrates healing, divine guidance, and the renewal of both body and spirit.
In 2014, the Mam Rashan Shrine on Mount Sinjar was destroyed in a campaign aimed at erasing Ezidis and their faith, Sharfadin. Its demolition was meant to sever a people from their sacred ground. Rebuilt on its original site, the shrine now stands as proof that destruction did not succeed. It is not only stone restored, but continuity reclaimed.
Ezidis reject outside claims to speak for them. The Yazidi Cause Alliance warns that the KRG and others cannot override their voice. Sinjar’s future, security, and representation must be determined by Ezidis themselves, free from foreign intervention or political agendas.
Recent months have seen the launch of the “Ezidi initiative,” a planned diplomatic effort engaging both the diaspora and local authorities in Turkey. Focused on peace, social cohesion, and voluntary return, the initiative addresses property, security, and human rights concerns while aiming to strengthen social peace and recognize the heritage of the Ezidi people and the Sharfadin faith.
Iraq has launched new investigations into thousands of ISIS detainees transferred from northeastern Syria, including suspects accused of participating in the 2014 Ezidi Genocide. Authorities are rebuilding cases from the beginning as survivors continue to seek accountability and answers for those still missing.
Thousands of ISIS detainees, including suspects accused of genocide and other atrocities against Ezidis, have been transferred from Syria to Iraq as investigations and legal proceedings begin. The move could mark a significant step toward accountability for crimes committed during ISIS rule in Iraq.
Nadia Murad met with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in a discussion reinforcing international attention on accountability for the 2014 genocide against Ezidis in Iraq. A survivor of the genocide, Murad has spent the past decade advocating for justice, recognition, and protection for survivors of sexual violence in conflict. The meeting highlights continued engagement between European institutions and global advocates working to ensure that crimes committed against Ezidis and their Sharfadin faith remain recognised and addressed at the international level.
The Ezidis know the consequences of ignored warnings. Ongoing instability in the region, particularly in Sinjar, has renewed serious concerns about safety and protection for a people who have already survived genocide. The conditions that enabled the atrocities of August 3, 2014, have not been fully resolved, leaving Ezidis vulnerable to renewed threats. Protecting Ezidis today is essential not only to acknowledge past crimes, but to prevent history from repeating itself.
Recent military developments along the Syrian-Iraqi border have drawn significant attention in Sinjar, an area that remains deeply marked by the events of 2014. The arrival and positioning of forces aligned with the Syrian state near the border has prompted heightened alert among local defense groups and residents, reflecting longstanding fears shaped by past violence against Ezidis.
Trust between neighbors can be as fragile as it is sacred. In northern Iraq, lifelong bonds between Ezidi families and their Arab neighbors unraveled in the face of ISIS violence. What once was a relationship built on shared meals, trade, and mutual support turned into fear and pursuit, forcing families to flee overnight. Stories like these reveal not only the brutality of violence, but also the deep emotional wounds left when trust is broken by those once considered friends.
The Hasna A. case returns to court in the Netherlands after the defendant appealed the first verdict.From 9–12 February 2026, judges at the Schiphol Judicial Complex will review the case, which addresses ISIS crimes committed against Ezidis.
The hearings are public and will be livestreamed, with translation available.
An Ezidi girl has been recognised at the Coffs Harbour Australian Citizen of the Year Awards 2026. Mayada Oso, who arrived in Australia in 2018 after surviving the Ezidi genocide, received the Young Citizen of the Year award for her achievements in education and her work supporting students. Her journey from captivity to leadership and service reflects the resilience of Ezidis and their continued strength after genocide.
Bangladesh’s 1971 genocide remains largely unrecognized internationally, despite clear evidence of mass killings, sexual violence, and attacks on intellectuals. This analysis examines the events through international criminal law, highlighting the urgent need for recognition, justice, and remembrance—lessons that resonate deeply with Ezidis and all peoples who have endured systematic persecution.
Senior officials of Armenia’s National Assembly held a series of meetings on January 26 addressing foreign policy priorities and the...
Historian Dr Rebecca Jinks has dedicated recent years to documenting the lived experiences of Ezidi women who survived ISIS captivity...
A new Russian-language book, Ezidi Folk Tales, opens a window into the rich culture and traditions of the Ezidi people. Published by Mesopotamia under the leadership of Samvel Saidovich Mstoyan, with illustrations by Aida Mstoyan, the collection brings centuries-old stories and values to life, introducing Russian children to the history, customs, and worldview of one of the world’s oldest peoples.
Ezidis did not choose to live in camps, and they certainly did not choose to become targets of ISIS in 2014. With the current and evident attempts to force Ezidis out, the question arises: where are these families supposed to settle? Are they expected to return to Shingal, to homes that remain in ruins and for which the Iraqi government has allocated no funds for reconstruction? Where should Ezidis seek refuge and rebuild their lives without risking becoming targets of ISIS or other extremists hiding behind the false mask of harmless neighbors?
Germany has successfully prosecuted ISIS members for crimes against humanity against Yazidis, including murder, torture, rape, and enslavement. Trials, starting in 2019–2020, relied on Yazidi survivor testimony, police and NGO reports, and expert evidence on Yazidi culture and ISIS structures. Despite challenges such as re-traumatization of witnesses and language barriers, courts deemed the testimony credible, leading to multiple convictions. International cooperation proved essential at every step, highlighting the importance of global accountability mechanisms.
Ezidi Times is happy to start 2026 with an exclusive interview with the Ezidi artist SELODEUXSEPT.We would like to begin...
