Shengal- On the eve of the Yazidi Genocide, the whole around the world is talking about the genocide. After the genocide against them, Yazidi women began to organize themselves to avenge the genocide; they founded their own defense unit, women’s organizations, they are on the frontline in every part of life to heal their wounds. They learned to be successful in their struggle against ISIS and its mentality. They have done everything to find out Yazidi women, who have been held captive by ISIS for seven years. Another Yazidi woman escaped from ISIS and she has been welcomed in Shengal.

She forgets her native language during the seven-year captivity

Sipan Xelil was rescued from ISIS 10 days ago after seven-year ISIS captivity. She forgets her native language during that time. She tries to express her feelings and thoughts in Arabic.

“They took thousands of Yazidi women to Raqqa”

On the eve of the seventh anniversary of the genocide against Yazidis, Sipan Xelil managed to escape from ISIS with her own efforts and with the help of SDF fighters.

“They took me captive along with my whole family on the day of the genocide. After holding us in a school in Kocho, they first took me to Mosul, and then to Raqqa. I was held in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor for seven years. They took me and dozens of Yazidi women to an ISIS headquarters in Raqqa, they raped and tortured us there. ISIS members bought, used, and resold Yazidi women. I was sold to an ISIS member from Lebanon. I was imprisoned in a room for two years. Speaking in Kurdish was forbidden there. I had to speak in Arabic and practice the beliefs of Islam. I was subjected to such pressures for years. ISIS member, who bought me, wanted to take me to Lebanon. While we were illegally going to Lebanon, a mine exploded and all ISIS members in the car died. I began to walk until I reached a village. A family helped me and took me to a family in Damascus. After staying with that family for a while, I managed to contact my family. Then SDF fighters came and took me to the house of Yazidis in Rojava. We tried to come to Shengal twice but Iraqi authorities didn’t allow us. I didn’t understand why they did that. Then, we came to Shengal. I felt very happy when I first entered Shengal. I was both happy and sad. My family doesn’t live here anymore; they live in Başurê Kürdistan (Southern Kurdistan) now. I wish they were here. For seven years, I always kept my identity in my heart. I never forget that I am a Yazidi woman,” Sipan Xelil told our news agency.

She was welcomed in Shengal

Sipan Xelil, who was brought to Shengal days before the anniversary of the genocide with the support of the Yazidi Women's Support Group Foundation and the SDF, was welcomed by Yazidis in Shengal. When Sipan saw her two brothers and cousin, she burst into tears.  

The Yazidi Women’s Support Group Foundation board member Ferîde Sado made a speech in front of the building of the Shengal People's Assembly. Underlining that thousands of Yazidi women are still held by ISIS, Ferîde Sado said, “We stand in solidarity with the SDF to rescue Yazidi women. They have helped us a lot to rescue Yazidi women. But the KDP and Iraq buy our Yazidi women from ISIS for ten thousand dollars. Our women are not a matter of negotiation. They should struggle if they want to rescue Yazidi women, not buy them.”