A 21-year-old Yazidi woman named Fawzia Amin Sido was reunited with her family in Iraq after being held captive by Islamic terrorists for a decade. Amin Sido was only 11 years old when she was kidnapped by ISIS terrorists, sold, and trafficked into Gaza where she was forced to marry an alleged Hamas fighter. She was able to escape after her captor was killed, potentially by an IDF strike, allowing her to flee to a hideout within the Gaza Strip. A coordinated effort between Israeli and U.S. officials led to her safe evacuation through the Kerem Shalom Crossing in Gaza and her return to her family in Iraq via Jordan through the Allenby Bridge Crossing.
The IDF’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories unit led the operation to rescue Amin Sido, with assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Israel and other international actors. The IDF did not provide details on all the parties involved in the rescue mission. The operation highlights the connection between extremist organizations like Hamas and ISIS, showcasing a growing shift in the Middle East where terrorist groups are expanding their ties, often with the support of Iran. The IDF has pledged to continue countering the Hamas-ISIS terrorist organization by targeting terrorist infrastructure sites and working to free all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
ISIS attacked Yazidi populations in the Iraqi town of Sinjar in 2014, abducting thousands of people and killing hundreds more. Despite these atrocities, no ISIS member has been charged with genocide or sexual violence for crimes against Yazidis. A significant number of the abductees have managed to escape or have been freed, but approximately 2,600 Yazidis remain missing and unaccounted for. The State Department and international partners are determined to find and rescue those still alive. The growing relationship between Hamas and ISIS, as well as other terrorist organizations, underscores the dangerous alliances forming in the region.
The ongoing hostage situation involving Americans and other Yazidi abductees in Gaza is a concerning issue. There are currently 101 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, including seven Americans who were taken during various attacks dating back to 2014. The IDF has committed to freeing all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, showcasing their determination to combat terrorist organizations and secure the release of those unjustly held captive. The plight of the Yazidi people and the ongoing efforts to locate and rescue those who remain missing demonstrate the importance of international cooperation and action to address the challenges posed by extremism and terrorism in the region.
