Rescued from Captivity: Yazidi Woman Freed After Decade

A 21-year-old Yazidi woman, kidnapped over a decade ago by ISIS in Iraq, has been freed in Gaza. The complex operation was led by the U.S., with cooperation from Jordan and Iraq. She was reunited with her family in Iraq, but remains traumatized by her long captivity.

A 21-year-old Yazidi woman, abducted by Islamic State militants in Iraq over a decade ago, has been successfully freed from Gaza. The rescue operation, headed by the United States with assistance from Jordan and Iraq, marks a significant milestone.

Belonging to the ancient Yazidi religious community, primarily located in Iraq and Syria, the woman was among thousands kidnapped in a 2014 genocide campaign by ISIS. Efforts to free her occurred amidst a challenging security environment due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as explained by Silwan Sinjaree, chief of staff of Iraq's foreign ministry.

Despite repeated attempts, details of the successful operation remain undisclosed. The U.S. State Department confirmed her evacuation on October 1st, allowing her to reunite with family in northern Iraq. Her trauma from captivity persists, reflective of the many Yazidis still missing or feared dead.

(With inputs from agencies.)