The Triumph of Sinjar’s Daughters Over Evil

The original article, written by Audrey Courty and published by ABC News, sheds light on the horrific experiences of Ezidi women and girls during the 2014 genocide committed by ISIS. It tells the story of Mayada and Rana, two survivors who endured unspeakable suffering but have since rebuilt their lives. The article provides an in-depth account of their resilience, the atrocities committed against the Ezidis, and the ongoing struggle for justice.

A Sacred Mountain and a People Targeted for Extermination

For over 3,000 years, the Sinjar Mountains have stood as a sacred refuge for the Ezidi people, an ancient ethno-religious group with deep-rooted traditions. The Ezidis follow the faith of Sharfadin, a monotheistic belief system centered around the veneration of seven angels, the most revered being Melek Taus, the Peacock Angel. Despite their peaceful way of life, they have been persistently persecuted throughout history due to widespread misunderstandings about their faith.

The original article explains how, before the genocide, the Ezidis of Sinjar lived in close-knit villages, their daily lives revolving around farming, trade, and family. However, in August 2014, this tranquility was shattered when ISIS launched an extermination campaign against them. Thousands were killed, enslaved, or forced to flee, while entire villages were wiped out in a matter of days.

Among the victims was Mayada, who was only 11 years old when ISIS stormed her village, Kocho. The article recounts how she was eating lunch with her family when they were suddenly ordered out of their home at gunpoint. The men were separated from the women, taken away, and executed. Women and girls were rounded up and transported to Syria, where they were forced into slavery.

Rana, another survivor, lived in a village near the base of the mountains. As ISIS militants approached, she and her family fled to the rugged terrain of Sinjar, along with tens of thousands of others. While the mountain had long been a place of spiritual significance, it now became a prison. Trapped for 12 days in blistering heat with no food or water, many perished from starvation and dehydration. Others were captured or executed by ISIS fighters.

The original article describes how relief came when Western forces, including Australia, conducted airdrops of supplies, and a humanitarian corridor was established to help the Ezidis escape. However, for those like Mayada who had already been enslaved, there was no military rescue.

The Market for Human Lives

ISIS justified their enslavement of Ezidi women and girls by distorting religious ideology to promote sexual violence. The terrorist group developed a systematic trade in human lives, selling captives in markets or through online platforms like WhatsApp. The article details how young girls were seen as particularly valuable, with prices ranging from as little as $20 to as much as $40,000.

Mayada was sold seven times over three years. She was repeatedly raped, beaten, and forced to obey her captors. She was given sedatives to prevent her from crying or attempting to escape. The original article explains that she was first purchased by a senior ISIS fighter who already owned nine other Ezidi girls. He was old enough to be her father.

According to research cited in the original article, the sale of Ezidi women and girls generated an estimated $111 million in profits for ISIS. The promise of sexual slavery also served as an incentive for foreign fighters to join the group. Senior ISIS leaders were given first choice of captives, while the rest were sold based on physical appearance, virginity, and age.

Despite the unimaginable suffering, Mayada, like many other Ezidi women, never lost hope of escaping.

A Daring Escape to Freedom

Mayada made five failed escape attempts before she finally succeeded. The original article details how, during her captivity, she and two other girls secretly accessed their captor’s Facebook account and contacted her uncle. A network of rescuers coordinated their escape, but they had to make their own way to safety.

Dressed in full-body robes and veils to disguise themselves as ISIS brides, the girls slipped out while their captor slept. They walked for hours before reaching a safe house, where they waited anxiously until two men arrived to guide them to freedom. The escape route was treacherous, requiring them to navigate through landmine-ridden areas on foot after traveling part of the way on motorcycles.

Mayada finally returned to Sinjar, only to find her home and village in ruins. Her father was gone, and her mother and sister remained missing. However, she was reunited with her uncle and other family members, who embraced her with overwhelming relief and joy.

The article highlights that Mayada was one of the fortunate few to make it out. Even now, ten years later, more than 2,600 Ezidi women and children remain missing, their fates unknown. Many are believed to still be held in captivity.

The Fight for Justice

Despite the recognition of ISIS’ actions as genocide by the United Nations and various governments, justice has been slow. According to the original article, only ten ISIS fighters have been convicted for crimes against the Ezidis, while thousands of perpetrators remain free. Many of those responsible were foreign fighters, including some from Australia.

The article emphasizes the need for stronger legal action. Experts argue that Australia has a responsibility to investigate and prosecute its own citizens who participated in ISIS’ crimes. Other countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden, have already begun prosecuting former ISIS members for crimes against Ezidis. Advocates stress that justice for the survivors is long overdue.

Rebuilding Lives in a New Land

Following their escape from ISIS, both Mayada and Rana eventually resettled in Australia, where they began rebuilding their lives. According to the 2021 census, over 4,000 Ezidis now live in Australia, with the largest community based in Toowoomba, Queensland.

Rana, now 20 years old, works as a cultural support worker, helping newly arrived Ezidis navigate their new environment. She is also studying biomedical science, hoping to become a doctor. The original article explains that she was inspired by her late uncle, who was the only doctor in their village back in Sinjar.

Mayada, now 21, has also flourished in Australia. She graduated high school as both school captain and volleyball captain and now works as an interpreter for her community. She recently returned to Iraq, where she visited the sacred Lalish temple and reunited with her surviving brothers. However, she also visited the ruins of her home in Kocho, a stark reminder of all that was lost.

Despite everything she has endured, Mayada is determined to fight for justice. She dreams of becoming a human rights lawyer so that she can defend women and girls who have suffered as she did.

The Strength of Sinjar’s Daughters

The original article concludes with a powerful reflection on the resilience of Ezidi survivors. Though they have endured unimaginable horrors, they continue to rebuild their lives with courage and determination. Their stories serve as a testament to the strength of Sinjar’s daughters—women who have emerged from the darkness of genocide to heal, lead, and seek justice.

Mayada and Rana’s journey is far from over, but their triumph over evil is undeniable. Through their efforts, they not only reclaim their own futures but also keep alive the hope that those still missing will one day be found—and that justice will finally be served.