800 Ezidi Women Are Held in HTS Prisons in Syria

Around 800 Ezidi women and girls are currently being held in prisons under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria, according to reports from human rights groups. These women were captured during ISIS’s 2014 assault on Ezidis and are now at risk of further abuse under HTS control.

Uncertainty After Fall of Bashar al-Assad Regime

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, many Syrian prisons were opened, and thousands of prisoners were released. However, the fate of many individuals, including Ezidi women, remains uncertain. wers.

The Ezidi women and girls held in HTS-controlled prisons are living in fear and isolation. Many are too afraid to disclose their identities as Ezidis, as doing so could put their lives in danger. This fear is compounded by the ongoing instability in Syria and the growing threats from groups like ISIS, which continues to re-emerge in some areas.

The collapse of the Syrian regime has allowed ISIS to regain a foothold in certain regions of Syria, including the Palmyra deserts and parts of Deir ez-Zor. The group is reportedly strengthening its presence in these areas, further exacerbating the danger to those still held by ISIS or other militant groups.

The ongoing instability in Syria, combined with the resurgence of ISIS, continues to pose significant risks to vulnerable groups such as the Ezidi women still in captivity. While there have been some signs of hope through the release of new information, the international community must increase efforts to find and protect these individuals and hold accountable those responsible for their abduction and mistreatment.