Genocide In Mosul by ISIS - What to remember?
Introduction
Yes, there was a genocide in Mosul and the surrounding areas perpetrated by the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014. The atrocities committed by ISIS primarily targeted religious and ethnic minorities, including Yazidis, Christians, Shabaks, and Turkmen, as well as Shia Muslims.
The Mosul Offensive and Its Aftermath
In June 2014, ISIS captured Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, marking the beginning of a brutal occupation. Following the fall of Mosul, ISIS expanded its control to neighboring regions, including Sinjar and the Nineveh Plains, where they carried out systematic attacks against minority groups.
Genocidal Actions
ISIS’s actions against these communities constituted genocide, as recognized by several international bodies and governments:
Mass Killings
Thousands of civilians were executed, with estimates suggesting that nearly 10,000 Yazidis were killed in just a few days.
Enslavement
Thousands of Yazidi women and girls were abducted and forced into sexual slavery.
Forced Conversions
Many were forced to convert to ISIS’s extremist version of Islam under threat of death.
Mass Displacement
Hundreds of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes, with around 500,000 civilians displaced from Mosul alone.
Specific Atrocities
Sinjar Massacre
In August 2014, ISIS attacked Sinjar, killing hundreds of Yazidi men and abducting thousands of women and children.
Kocho Village
Nearly all men in this village were executed, while women and girls were sold into sexual slavery.
Mosul Prison Massacre
ISIS executed about 600 Shia prisoners in Mosul’s Badush prison.
International Recognition
The United States Secretary of State determined in March 2016 that ISIS had perpetrated genocide against minorities, including Yazidis, Christians, Shia Shabak, Shia Turkmen, Sabaean-Mandaeans, and Kaka’i. This was only the second time the US government had made such a determination in an ongoing conflict.
Aftermath and Ongoing Impact
The genocide has had lasting effects on the targeted communities
Mass Graves
At least 35 mass graves have been identified as of February 2016.
Displaced Population
Many survivors remain displaced, living in camps or unable to return to their homes.
Missing Persons
As of 2020, thousands of Yazidis remained missing.
Conclusion
The events in Mosul and surrounding areas clearly constitute genocide, characterized by systematic killing, enslavement, and forced displacement of targeted religious and ethnic minorities.
US should keep 2000 ground forces in Syria supporting SDF or else Turkey who is backing ISIS and HTS and other international terrorist groups in Syria will together cause a bigger genocide. Erdogan is touting his position being safe as EU member but all nations understand what Turkey has been behind close doors.
