SHINGAL, Iraq - Members of a Yazidi family, rescued from ISIS after being kidnapped by the group in 2014, continue to struggle as they live in a tent in poor condition.
Omer is from Shingal’s Hamadan village. He is one of the survivors of ISIS atrocities. He was kidnapped along with 11 of his family members by the group in 2014 when he was only 17. Omer was in good condition at the time but lost his memory due to the torture he experienced during ISIS captivity.
The young man has lost his speaking ability too, rendering him unable to express his suffering.
"We were a family of 12. Eleven of us fell under the hands of ISIS. Eight of us have returned, the rest remain. This brother of mine was beaten and tortured by ISIS. He cannot take care of himself and does not know anything. Many times we call him and he does not even understand his name. My other brother’s leg was also wounded in the battle of Baghouz," his sister, Halima, told Rudaw, referring to the last bastion of the group in Syria.
She criticized the Iraqi government for failing to support the family.
"They did nothing for him and he is underage. He has not received any aid. The law says he must have a guardian because he is underage, but neither the father nor mother are present for me to provide guardianship," she added.
Barakat is Omer's brother. For five years in Syria, during the battle of Baghouz, he was used as a human shield by ISIS on the frontlines. His leg was injured by a Howitzer shell from the Syrian regime, leading to seven surgeries, with more still needed.
Two brothers and two sisters were freed from ISIS after five years, but the fate of their other family members remains unknown. They currently live in a crumbling tent, facing dire financial hardships.
Rudaw English is keeping the siblings' second name private at their request.