Today marks the 10th anniversary of ISIS's genocide, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing against Yezidis, Christians, and Shia Muslims. The day also commemorates the Sunni Muslims, Kurds, and other minorities who suffered under ISIS. Thousands of Yezidis were killed or enslaved by ISIS, with over 2,600 Yezidi women and girls still missing. The identification and exhumation of mass graves continue as survivors bear the scars of these events.
Support for the affected communities remains strong. "It is incumbent upon us all to honor those we have lost and the brave survivors through action and a steadfast commitment to rebuild and restore these communities," said an official statement. Emphasis was placed on justice, accountability, and political inclusion to defeat violent extremists like ISIS permanently. The statement urged continued implementation of the Yezidi Survivors’ Law and full application of security, reconstruction, and administrative provisions from the 2020 Sinjar Agreement in consultation with local communities.
ISIS aimed to dismantle Iraq’s societal fabric through violence fueled by hate and religious intolerance. The international community collaborated with Iraq to break ISIS’s hold on northern Iraq and Syria while beginning to rebuild persecuted communities. A decade later, Iraq has an opportunity to pursue peace, stability, and prosperity for its diverse population. In doing so, it could become a model of religious and ethnic inclusion for the region.
