As the Islamic State has advanced in Northern Iraq, the on-going destruction of Christian communities in Mosul has been widely publicized. Recent advances by the ID into Kurdish territory now endanger another ancient religious community, the Yazidis. In this post on Syria Comment, Matthew Barber, whose research on the Yazidis is partially supported by the ISRME, details the humanitarian tragedy and cultural destruction unfolding in the Yazidi homelands. Below is a link to Matt’s full report, followed by excerpts:
Summary: Beginning in the early hours of the morning, IS forces attacked the Sinjar Mountains. The Kurdish Peshmerga defended the area for two hours before being overcome and retreating . . . Sinjar (“Shingal” in Kurdish) is one of a few key areas that constitute the homeland of the Yazidi religious minority. One of the few remaining non-Abrahamic religions of the Middle-East, the Yazidis are a particularly vulnerable group lacking advocacy in the region. Not belonging to the small set of religions carrying the Islamic label “People of the Book,” Yazidis are branded mushrikiin (polytheists) by Salafis/jihadists and became targets of high levels of terrorist attacks and mass killing orchestrated by al-Qaida-affiliated jihadists, following the instability brought about by the War in Iraq.
Today’s IS assault is already bringing about devastating consequences for Yazidis, who make up about 340,000 of Sinjar’s 400,000 inhabitants (this is a high estimate). Many have fled on foot through the desert, without food or water.
