Concern Grows for Yazidi Hostages in Mosul
Yazidi advocates and rights activists say that, as Iraqi forces gear up to retake the northern city of Mosul, they are concerned about the safety of hundreds of women held by the Islamic State group as hostages, prisoners and sex slaves. "Some women need urgent help, some women are traumatized, some women have been violated […]Sharon Behn writes for Voice of America:
Yazidi advocates and rights activists say that, as Iraqi forces gear up to retake the northern city of Mosul, they are concerned about the safety of hundreds of women held by the Islamic State group as hostages, prisoners and sex slaves.
"Some women need urgent help, some women are traumatized, some women have been violated – punished many times," said activist Khidher Domle.
He said rescued Yazidis have reported that women who have tried to run away from the militants and are recaptured are punished and thrown into IS-run prisons. They include foreigners.
It’s important “before starting the liberation process of any area” to find out from activists where victims are and how to deal with them, Domle told VOA on the sidelines of a conference at a Yazidi temple in this northern Iraqi village.
