Fawzia Amin Sido, a Yazidi woman from northern Iraq, survived the horrors of captivity under ISIS for nearly a decade. Kidnapped at just nine years old, she endured unimaginable atrocities before being rescued by Israeli forces earlier this month.
Fawzia’s chilling account of her years in captivity showcases the brutal treatment of the Yazidi community, reminding the world of the ongoing fight to save those still missing. Her story is not just about survival, but also about resilience and the hope of reclaiming life from the ashes of devastation.
In August 2014, ISIS launched a devastating attack on the Yazidi community in Sinjar, Northern Iraq. The group systematically slaughtered men, while abducting women and children. Fawzia Amin Sido was one of thousands taken from their homes and forced into a brutal life of slavery.
She, along with her two younger brothers, was dragged into an unknown world of violence and exploitation. She recalled the desperate times they endured after being marched from Sinjar to Tal Afar.
The Yazidis, an ancient religious minority, were specifically targeted by ISIS for their beliefs. What followed was not just a physical genocide, but also a cultural and psychological war that aimed to erase their existence. Fawzia’s capture was a part of this larger campaign to obliterate her community.
Forced To Eat Human Flesh
One of the most harrowing moments in Fawzia’s captivity came when ISIS militants forced her and other prisoners to consume the flesh of Yazidi babies unknowingly. After days of starvation, they were fed rice and meat by their captors.
She said, “The meat had a weird taste, and some of us had stomach aches afterward.” It wasn’t until after they had eaten that the militants revealed the horrific truth: the meat was from the bodies of Yazidi infants. “They showed us pictures of the beheaded babies and said, ‘These are the kids you ate now.’”
This chilling revelation left lasting scars on Fawzia and the other prisoners. The psychological torment of being forced into such an inhuman act shows the depth of cruelty that ISIS inflicted upon its captives.
A Life Of Abuse
Fawzia’s ordeal didn’t stop with forced cannibalism. Over the next decade, she was sold to various ISIS fighters as if she were a commodity. One of her “owners” was Abu Amar al-Makdisi, with whom she bore two children before she was 15.
Fawzia was repeatedly drugged and raped during her time in captivity. “I was given drugs that numbed parts of my body before he forced me to have sex,” she recalled, describing the abuse she suffered under al-Makdisi.
Her life became a cycle of physical and emotional exploitation, trapped between the violent demands of her captors and the desperate hope for freedom. Like thousands of other Yazidi women, Fawzia was treated as an object, with no regard for her dignity or humanity. These years of suffering shaped her in ways that words cannot fully express.
A Coordinated Mission To Daring Rescue
Fawzia’s long nightmare finally came to an end in October 2024, thanks to a coordinated rescue mission by the Israeli military and the U.S. embassy. With her captor killed in an Israeli airstrike during the ongoing Gaza conflict, Fawzia was able to escape.
She was moved through the Kerem Shalom crossing into Israel before being transported to Jordan, where she was eventually reunited with her family in Iraq. While her return brought relief, it was bittersweet—her two children remain in Gaza, under the care of al-Makdisi’s family.
This operation was not an isolated case, but part of ongoing efforts to rescue Yazidi captives from various war-torn regions. More than 3,500 Yazidis have been freed since 2014, but with around 2,600 still missing, the struggle is far from over. Fawzia’s rescue offers a glimmer of hope, yet serves as a reminder that many others are still awaiting their freedom.
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A Path To Healing
While Fawzia is now free, the trauma she endured remains deeply embedded in her psyche. Her lawyer, Zemfira Dlovani, explained to the Week, that Fawzia remembers only fragments of her time in captivity due to the severe psychological scars. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, as she comes to terms with the years of abuse and the loss of her children to her captors.
The international community must not only continue efforts to rescue the remaining Yazidi captives but also provide support for survivors like Fawzia. Their experiences highlight the urgent need for comprehensive psychological care and rehabilitation programs for those emerging from captivity. Fawzia’s story is a stark reminder that while escape is possible, the path to true healing requires much more.
Fawzia Amin Sido’s journey from captivity to freedom is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable cruelty. Her story sheds light on the atrocities committed by ISIS and the ongoing plight of the Yazidi community.
As the world continues to fight for justice and recovery for these survivors, Fawzia’s voice stands as a beacon of hope for those still trapped in the shadows of violence. Her ordeal may have ended, but the fight for justice and healing continues, reminding us all that no one should be forgotten.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Times of India, Economic Times, Hindustan Times
Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi
This post is tagged under: Yazidi Genocide, ISIS Captives, Human Rights, Survivor Story, IDF Rescue, Iraq, Gaza, Yazidi Women, Anti Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Resilience, Freedom, YazidiCommunity, Global Justice, Trauma Healing, Stop Genocide, Captivity Survivor, Yazidi Survivors, UN Human Rights, Support Survivors, Middle East, Human Rights Abuse, Child Trafficking, International Support, Rescue Mission, End Violence, Raise Awareness
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