The US Consulate General in Erbil issued a message on the 12th anniversary of the genocide perpetrated by ISIS against the Yazidi community, commemorating those who lost their lives and reiterating the call for justice. The statement said, "Twelve years ago, the terrorist organization ISIS committed genocide against the Yazidi community. Today we remember those we lost and salute the resilient survivors who keep their memory alive."
The Consulate General stressed that commemoration must be backed by concrete action, stating, "Justice for these atrocities is important. Equally important is ensuring lasting security, prosperity, and protection for vulnerable communities." Reaffirming Washington's engagement in Iraq, the statement said, "The United States is committed to working with the Iraqi Government, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and our international partners to protect the fundamental right to religious freedom and build a future where all Iraqis can live in security and dignity."
In the attack launched by ISIS on Sinjar after capturing Mosul on August 3, 2014, the Yazidi community was targeted through systematic killing, abduction, forced displacement, and the enslavement of women and girls. According to official figures, more than 5,000 Yazidis were killed and around 2,745 children were orphaned.
Although the liberation of Sinjar from ISIS by Peshmerga forces with air support from the International Coalition in November 2015 was a military turning point, humanitarian and governance challenges remain unresolved. Today, Sinjar's infrastructure is damaged, public services are limited, security is fragmented, and various armed groups are present.
According to UN data, approximately 550,000 Yazidis live in Iraq. More than 400,000 people fled to the Kurdistan Region during the initial attack, but only around 100,000 have returned to Sinjar. Over 270,000 people still live in displacement camps, while 100,000 have settled abroad.
The Sinjar Agreement signed between Baghdad and Erbil in 2020, which envisages coordinated administration, administrative reform, local security forces, and the removal of illegal armed groups, has largely not been implemented. This hinders the return of displaced families.
The pursuit of justice is also incomplete. During the ISIS attack, 6,417 Yazidi men, women, and children were abducted; 3,597 of them have been rescued, but around 2,820 remain missing. Nearly 100 mass graves have been identified so far.
In recent years, more than 10 countries have officially recognized the Yazidi genocide. Survivors and advocacy groups stress that recognition must be complemented by stronger support for accountability, reconstruction, and safe return.
The US Consulate General's anniversary message underscored that commemoration goes beyond honoring the past and that Sinjar's long-term recovery remains an unfinished task requiring sustained commitment long after ISIS's territorial defeat.
