The Yazidis

Large parts of the Yazidi population of northwestern Iraq have taken refuge in Iraqi Kurdistan. They live in unfinished buildings, refugee camps or under bridges. In the beginning of August 2014 the Yazidis fled their homes because the Sunni extremist group Islamic State attacked the areas they lived. Around 40,000 made it to Mount Sinjar where they were surrounded by Islamic State forces. They were left there virtually without food or water, and many died. The Yazidis were able to escape from the mountain with the help of US air strikes. But many were left behind and either killed or kidnapped. The Yazidi religion is a mixture of ancient religions, Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Sufi influences. They worship seven angels, of which Melek Taus or the Peacock Angel is the most important. Muslims and Christians often identify Melek Taus with the devil and accuse the Yazidis for being devil worshippers. The Yazidis have experienced countless attacks because of this, both historically and in modern times. Since Islamic State begun their attacks on the Yazidi minority in the beginning of August 2014 local Iraqi sources have registrered numerous massacres of Yazidis. The total death toll is not known since many Yazidi members were burned after they were executed. The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for human rights Ivan Simonovic stated in October 2014 that evidence indicates that actions against the Yazidis may amount to attempted genocide.