Published on: 2025-03-31

Intelligence Report: Where are the missing Yazidis Thousands still held captive after ISIS attacks – The Jerusalem Post

1. BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Thousands of Yazidis remain missing following the ISIS attacks in Iraq, with ongoing efforts to locate and rescue them. Despite the territorial defeat of ISIS, many Yazidis are believed to be held captive in the Middle East, trafficked, or associated with ISIS fighters. The primary efforts to recover these individuals are led by grassroots organizations and activists, facing significant challenges due to regional instability and security risks.

2. Detailed Analysis

The following structured analytic techniques have been applied for this analysis:

General Analysis

The genocide committed by ISIS in the Sinjar area of Iraq led to the abduction and killing of thousands of Yazidis. Current estimates suggest that nearly 3,000 Yazidis remain unaccounted for. Efforts to locate and rescue these individuals are complicated by the use of encrypted messaging platforms and the need for informants and local contacts in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Activists like Pari Ibrahim and Abdullah Abbas are utilizing covert tactics to gather intelligence and secure the release of captives. The challenges include identifying Yazidi women and children in detention camps and overcoming fears of retribution or rejection upon their return.

3. Implications and Strategic Risks

The continued captivity of Yazidis poses significant risks to regional stability and security. The trafficking and forced marriages of Yazidi women and children by ISIS affiliates could fuel further extremist activities and destabilize the region. The lack of a formal international body to track and recover missing Yazidis means that grassroots efforts remain the primary response, which may not be sufficient to address the scale of the issue. Additionally, the reintegration of survivors into their communities is fraught with challenges, including social stigma and psychological trauma.

4. Recommendations and Outlook

Recommendations:

• Enhance international cooperation and support for grassroots organizations working to locate and rescue missing Yazidis.
• Develop technological solutions to improve the identification and extraction of Yazidi captives from detention camps.
• Implement regulatory frameworks to address human trafficking and provide protection for survivors.

Outlook:

In the best-case scenario, increased international support and technological advancements could lead to the recovery of a significant number of missing Yazidis. In the worst-case scenario, continued regional instability and insufficient resources could result in prolonged captivity and further exploitation. The most likely outcome involves a gradual increase in successful rescue operations, contingent on sustained efforts by activists and support from the international community.

5. Key Individuals and Entities

The report mentions significant individuals and organizations involved in the efforts to locate and rescue missing Yazidis:

• Pari Ibrahim – Activist working to identify missing Yazidi women and girls.
• Abdullah Abbas – Individual infiltrating ISIS communication channels to gather intelligence.
• Jihan Hanan – Director involved in identifying and discreetly extracting Yazidi women from detention camps.
• Organizations: Free Yezidi Foundation, Nadia Initiative, United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh/ISIL (UNITAD).