Shengal- Eight years have passed since ISIS attacked Shengal. In eight years, thousands of Yazidi women were imprisoned, abducted, murdered and raped. For eight years, the People's Defense Units (YPG), Women's Defense Units (YPJ), Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Yazidi Women’s Aid Network and Yazidi women’s organizations have struggled to rescue Yazidi women abducted by ISIS. They have rescued many Yazidi women until now. Roza Emin Bereket is one of the Yazidi women rescued from ISIS.

She was abducted by ISIS when she was 11

In 2014, ISIS attacked the Herdan village and abducted Roza Emin Bereket along with other villagers. Witnessing many brutal acts at a young age, Roza Emin Bereket stayed alone for eight years under the pressure of ISIS. But she always dreamed of returning to her village despite the torture she faced. She didn’t know how she could flee and to where she could go. While trying to enter Turkey by crossing the border, she was detained by the Kobanî Women's Security Forces. Under the detention, she felt safe and asked for help saying that she is a Yazidi woman.

“We will struggle to rescue all women abducted by ISIS”

Roza Emin Bereket has reunited with her family with the support of the Kobanî Women's Security Forces, Yazidi Women’s Aid Network and the Syrian Democratic Forces. Hediya Filis, a member of the Yazidi Women’s Aid Network, made a speech in the village after Roza Emin Bereket met her family.

“The Syrian Democratic Forces and Kobanî Women's Security Forces have rescued Yazidi women. Today, we handed Roza over to her family. We will keep struggling until we rescue all abducted women. We thank everyone for their support.”

Xense Xelef, grandmother of Roza, also thanked the Syrian Democratic Forces. “I can give my life to those who rescued my granddaughter. I will never forget this favor. We hope that all women abducted by ISIS will be rescued.”

“We celebrate two feasts today”

Necwa Şengalî, who was abducted by ISIS in Shengal but then rescued, is a member of the azidi Women's Aid Network to rescue other abducted Yazidi women.

“I am very happy for the liberation of another Yazidi woman. I was also abducted by ISIS. But today, I am very happy. Today is our Xildir Ilyas Feast. The liberation of Roza is the second feast for us. We thank everyone who helped us,” she told JINHA.

“They had no tolerance for other religions”

We spoke to Roza Emin Bereket about what difficulties she had faced after being abducted by ISIS. “They tried to force us to convert into Islam and to comply with their customs and traditions. They abducted not only Yazidi women but also Christian women. We were sold in slave markets. Actually, we were served to them. Living with them was very difficult. They killed Shiite women. They had no tolerance for other religions.

“I feel like I am reborn”

“About one and a half months ago, the Syrian Democratic Forces and women's security forces rescued me. They helped me a lot. Now, I am very happy. I feel like I am reborn. I call on all Yazidi women abducted by ISIS to return to home. What ISIS taught us is wrong. The truth is not what they think. I am welcomed here. All Yazidis living in Rojava and Yazidi women have supported me. I faced many difficulties but I want to be a doctor to help people,” she told us.