Summary
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman, Fawzia Amin Saydo, was rescued from Gaza after a decade of captivity, during which she was kidnapped by Islamic State militants in Iraq at the age of 11. Her rescue was the result of a complex international operation involving the United States, Israel, Iraq, and various humanitarian activists, culminating in her reunion with family in Iraq.
Saydo’s ordeal began in August 2014 when she was abducted from her hometown of Sinjar, along with her brothers, during a campaign of violence against the Yazidi community by the Islamic State. While her brothers managed to escape, Saydo endured years of trauma, including sexual violence and forced marriage to an IS fighter. After her captor’s death, she found herself in Gaza, where she faced further abuse from her captor’s family. The dire humanitarian situation and escalating violence in Gaza pushed her to seek a way out, leading to a coordinated rescue effort that was fraught with challenges due to the diplomatic tensions between Iraq and Israel.
The Rescue Operation
The rescue operation was initiated by U.S. diplomatic missions and involved extensive lobbying from humanitarian activists. It took several months to coordinate the efforts among Israeli, Jordanian, Iraqi, and United Nations officials. On October 1, 2024, Saydo was evacuated from Gaza through the Kerem Shalom Crossing, arriving first at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem before being flown to Jordan and then back to Iraq.
Saydo’s Background
Fawzia Amin Saydo’s life was irrevocably altered when she was taken by IS militants at a young age. After enduring severe trauma and violence, including being forced to bear two children, she lived in Gaza for several years. The decision to flee her captor’s family was a painful one, as it meant leaving her children behind in hopes of reuniting with her family in Iraq.
Ongoing Challenges
While Saydo’s rescue is a significant relief, it also highlights the ongoing plight of the Yazidi community. Many Yazidis remain missing since the 2014 IS massacre, and the trauma experienced by survivors like Saydo continues to impact their lives. Activists emphasize the need for ongoing support and recognition of the struggles faced by those affected by the violence against the Yazidi people.
Yazidi sex slave rescued from Gaza in rare, internationally collaborative mission
Oct. 3 / Voanews / Highlights the intricate rescue operation involving multiple nations and humanitarian activists, providing a detailed account of Fawzia Amin Saydo's harrowing journey and the complexities of international diplomacy. “ The State Department has confirmed to VOA the success of a complicated mission to rescue an Iraqi national and former Islamic State sex slave from Gaza via...
Yazidi sex slave rescued from Gaza in rare, internationally collaborative mission
Oct. 3 / Voanews / Offers an in-depth narrative of Saydo's traumatic past and the rescue efforts, revealing emotional dimensions and the difficult choices faced, while showcasing the dedication of activists involved in her liberation. “ The State Department has confirmed to VOA the success of a complicated mission to rescue an Iraqi national and former Islamic State sex slave from Gaza via...
Yazidi woman freed from Gaza after decade in captivity
Oct. 3 / Gazette / Delivers a concise overview of Saydo's release, emphasizing the coordination between Israel, the U.S., and Iraq, while also touching on the broader context of the Yazidi community's suffering and ongoing challenges. “ By Timour Azhari BEIRUT (Reuters) - A 21-year-old woman kidnapped by Islamic State militants in Iraq a decade ago was freed from Gaza this week in a secret...