Bearing the Scars of Conflict: Iraq’s Yazidi Community

SINJAR, Iraq -- In the summer of 2014, Daesh forces invaded Sinjar, a district in northern Iraq, launching a brutal campaign against the Yazidi community that would forever reshape the region.

Yazidis are a minority community residing in northern Iraq, bound by an ancient faith and culture, Farhad and Zana, two brothers, are from a small Yazidi village nestled in Sinjar that was also a target for one of the most horrifying genocides in recent history. The 3rd of August 2014, the day when Daesh shattered their simple life on a small family farm, still haunts them.

They fled with their family and hid on their farm for as long as they could. Eventually, armed militants discovered them and forcibly moved them to the nearby village of Kocho. Men and women were separated: the men and boys were confined to a school, while the women and younger children were taken elsewhere. That day marked the last time the siblings saw their parents.

Farhad and Zana were separated too and taken captive. Only their scars silently talk about the hardships, fear and brutality of punishments they went through.

"Every day was a test of survival," Farhad recalls. "They tried to break us, both morally and physically”. During captivity, he was shot in his foot and hand. Both times, he was treated without anesthesia, and the injury to his hand eventually led to an amputation.

"Losing my hand was one of the hardest things I had to face," he says. "It was as if they wanted to take away every last piece of who I was, but I wouldn’t let them break my spirit."

Zana’s story is equally harrowing but differs from Farhad's in significant ways. Zana was too young when he was taken captive, forced to do chores, and considered “lucky” that he could avoid physical punishment.

After four years in captivity, in a rare chance, both brothers managed to escape during the liberation operations. "Escaping Daesh felt like breathing again for the first time," reflects Zana. "But I’d lost so much—my family, my home, everything I had known."

Zana recalls how he felt the bittersweet reality of being largely alone in the world until he was reunited with Farhad thanks to the efforts of the government and humanitarian agencies.

The impact of Daesh’s violence has left many survivors struggling to rebuild their lives from the ground up. Upon returning to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the brothers found some assistance in navigating a world that had moved on while they remained trapped in a nightmare.

Farhad eventually connected with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Iraq, which assisted him in filing for legal compensation under the Yazidi Survivors’ Law (Law No. 8 of 2021). The law provides reparations for survivors of sexual violence and other atrocities committed by Daesh. This change and support offered Farhad a glimmer of hope, providing him with a degree of financial stability and the chance to restore his legal identity documents.

Though challenging, the brothers are looking to the future. Farhad hopes to find their missing family members, and Zana wants to become a doctor to fulfill his and his family’s aspirations.

Farhad, Zana, and other survivors carry their own stories and those of countless others silenced by violence. As they gradually rebuild their lives, they hope their suffering will not be forgotten and that future generations will know a Sinjar free from terror.

Their voices are powerful reminders of the Yazidis’ ongoing struggle for justice, calling for the world to remember and respond.

"Every step towards recovery is a reminder of what they took from us," Farhad says. "It’s a long path, but at least there is a path forward."

After years of conflict and displacement, thousands of Yazidi survivors like Farha and Zana, displaced families, and returnees across Iraq are still struggling to rebuild their lives. For many, the first step is legal identity — a document that proves who they are, allows them to access basic services, and helps restore a sense of belonging.

Through its legal programme, IOM Iraq has been walking alongside affected communities on their path to recovery. In 2024, over 12,000 people received direct legal assistance — from help with civil documentation to securing housing, land and property rights. Another 8,000 took part in information sessions and awareness activities, learning how to navigate complex legal procedures that affect their daily lives.

The support goes beyond paperwork. IOM’s legal experts work closely with courts and administrative offices, providing financial assistance where needed and tailoring outreach to address the specific challenges women face. Every ID issued, every property claim supported, is a step closer to stability, social cohesion, and recovery.

IOM’s legal assistance work in Iraq was made possible with support from various donors, including the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the Government of France, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Government of Norway.

Names were changed to ensure safety and privacy.