Journalist Jenan Moussa of Arabic Al Aan TV shared an absolutely heartbreaking story of a young Yazidi girl who was captured by ISIS when she was only 8-years old and held in Raqqa as a slave until she was recently freed.
It’s 16 tweets long, but well worth the read (and maybe have some tissues handy):
1/ I want to tell u today the story of 8yr old Yazidi girl, forced to work for 3yrs as slave by ISIS fighters in Raqqa. I met her in Kobani.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
2/ Only couple of days ago this Yazidi girl was freed by SDF in Raqqa. Her brother still slave with ISIS. Mother missing, father in Iraq.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
3/ I met the yazidi girl with purpose of interviewing her about her enslavement by ISIS. But she was too traumatized to talk about it.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
4/ The Yazidi girl was very silent, scared of men &of Toyota Hilux cars because it reminded her of ISIS. It was heartbreaking to see.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
5/ So @HaraldDoornbos &I decided to skip the interview. Instead some Kurdish ladies & I took Yazidi girl to souk for some shopping. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
6/ Yazidi girl was only 5 when taken as slave by ISIS &had to wear full black abaya+niqab. Now she said she wanted dream dress -with colors.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
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7/ After we went shop in shop out in Kobane souk, she found the perfect yellow dress. Look at her (I blurred pic to protect her identity). pic.twitter.com/SsnKz87f1s
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
8/ I realized how much ISIS brainwashed the Yazidi girl. She didnt even respond 2 her original Kurdish name, only to the name ISIS gave her.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
9/ Yazidi girl asked 4 "Islamic nail polish" (temporary nail polish u take off before prayer). Kurds told her they dont have that in Kobani.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
10/ Kurds explained 2girl: ISIS not here anymore, you dont have to pray 5x day, u dont have to cover up, no need 4 Islamic nail polish etc.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
11/ Because girl was only freed from ISIS couple of days b4, ISIS lifestyle still fresh in her mind. Eventually she chose pink nail polish pic.twitter.com/y7JzEERgi4
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
12/ We passed shop named after Alan Kurdi (drowned boy from Kobani). Yazidi girl surprised by unveiled mannequins, she touched their faces pic.twitter.com/H64X1t3xQC
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
13/ After 3yrs ISIS slavery, Yazidi girl temporary w/Kurdish family in Kobani. She asked me if we can also buy present for "her new friend".
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
14/ Kurdish family that Yazidi girl is staying with has daughter. "My first friend," she said. Got toy for her in bag. Really touching 2 see pic.twitter.com/Qcq6bTzpsr
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
15/ On way back from souk Yazidi girl told me: "I am happy now". But she keeps her black clothes. "Maybe Dawla (ISIS) comes back", she said.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
16/ In meantime, Kurds here in Kobani have traced and contacted father of freed Yazidi girl. He's in Sinjar, Iraq. Hopefully reunited soon.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 16, 2017
This about sums up our reaction, too:
https://twitter.com/passionatechica/status/886693345443155968
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