I want to hug my hurt daughter September 19th 12:04

Five years have passed since the extremist organization IS = Islamic State has suffered persecution of minority Yajidi in northern Iraq. Although I survived the genocide, I stared at the man who was looking for a daughter who was taken away by IS. (Cairo branch office reporter Ayumi Yanagisawa)

A man is killed and a woman receives sexual violence

This video was taken in August 2014 at Kojo Village in northern Iraq. The radical group IS divides villagers into men and women. Later, men were taken to vacant land outside the village and killed, and women suffered terrible sexual violence by combatants. IS persecuted minorities who worshiped the region's unique religion, “Yajidiism”, as “worshiping the devil”.

Survive the massacre

There are people who survived the slaughter that took place in the village of Kojo, where the IS attacked. My name is Idris Taha (48).

When surrounded by about 20 fighters with machine guns, Taha squeezed the hand of 17-year-old son Ibrahim. The men shouted, “God is great,” and fired the guns all at once. When I looked at my son, he was out of breath with blood flowing from his head.

When Taha received four bullets on her forehead and legs, and stopped bleeding and pain, I heard the voice of the combatant saying, "That guy, I'm still alive." Immediately after Taha prepared for death. Fighters appeared in the sky, and fighters who were afraid of air strikes fled from the spot. Taha escaped from the killed people and hid himself in a nearby building. I finally reached a nearby village after the darkness and survived the slaughter.

"I can die. I wanted my son to help me, but my son was shot out. The word nightmare is not enough. I feel nauseous that this is reality. (Mr. Taha)

Sad news that was waiting

It has been over a month since the slaughter. Taha, who was surrounded by the residents of a nearby village, escaped from the IS-controlled area. So I was waiting for the news that my 7-year-old daughter Amani was taken away by IS.

“I was a shy child, but when I was with my family, I laughed with a really cute smile. When I forgot to buy sweets on my way home from work, I was asked,“ Did you buy me? ” I went to buy sweets. ”(Mr. Taha)

Take my daughter back with this hand

I want to rescue Amani. Taha started to move. Established an information network through acquaintances in IS-controlled areas We found an Arab collaborator and looked for Amani's whereabouts, such as a restaurant selling chickpea croquettes "Falafel" and a small kiosk based on giving money to children to stop by.

In the process, information on women who were restrained by IS gathered, and more than 200 people have been rescued so far. However, Amani has been confirmed to live in a refugee camp in northwestern Syria, but has not been rescued until now.

An 11 year old daughter ...

Last May, a video was sent from a collaborator. The 11-year-old Amani who grew up beautifully was projected there. The family of IS fighters who detained Amani knew that Taha was rescuing a Yajdi woman, and placed Amani in strict surveillance. I was informed that Amani was sexually violent.

“I knew that Yazidi women were sexually violent, so I thought my daughter might not be an exception. Other women were also in the same painful situation as their daughters. I can't overlook it. "(Mr. Taha)

Sharpen yourself and stay sane

Although she survived, her son was killed and her daughter was detained in Syria and suffered from sexual violence. It was too heavy for Taha to face this reality from the front.

To calm down my feelings, I can't let go of cigarettes. In the meantime, first meet people, think about how to rescue, and go home only when you sleep. Mr. Taha is said to be able to maintain his saneness by immersing himself in the rescue of the women as if he was shaved.

There is only one wish

Five years have passed since the persecution of Yajidi by IS. Mr. Taha has only one wish. That is to rescue Amani and reunite.

“In the last five years, Amani tells me every night that I can get back. It ’s okay, tomorrow will work, I ’m sure tomorrow will be. I ’ve managed to do it with hope. I want to meet you again, I want to meet you again, hug you, and kiss you. ”(Mr. Taha)

2908

2908 people. Yajidi people who were taken away by the IS and still do not know where to go. (* Investigated by Iraq Kurdish Autonomous Government)

In March, however, the IS lost its last territory in Syria, and the international community became more aware that it had defeated the IS.

However, many women, like Amani, are still held by IS, and Taha and his family are waiting for their return. For Yajidi, the threat of IS is not over yet.

Reporter of Cairo branch office
Ayumi Yanagisawa