With Ash on Their Faces: Yezidi Women and the Islamic State

The genocide of the Yezidi people by ISIS in 2014 brought attention to the small faith that numbers less than one million worldwide. Thousands of Yezidi women and children remain in captivity, and many more are still displaced. Otten's book focuses on stories of resistance passed down by generations, challenging common perceptions of Yezidi female victimhood.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 21 July 2022
Publisher: OR Books

The genocidal attack perpetrated by ISIS against the Yezidi population in northern Iraq in 2014 garnered global attention, highlighting the small faith that has a mere one million followers worldwide. During that scorching summer, ISIS orchestrated a heinous massacre, targeting Yezidi men, enslaving women, and abducting children. Over one hundred thousand Yezidis found themselves trapped on the treacherous Sinjar Mountain, facing an imminent threat of extinction. In response, the United States initiated airstrikes to combat ISIS, citing its moral obligation to protect the Yezidis. However, the genocide continues to unfold, despite these efforts. While the headlines may have shifted, thousands of Yezidi women and children remain in captivity, while countless others continue to endure displacement. The once liberated city of Sinjar now bears the scars of the conflict, exacerbating tensions among the liberators. The mass abduction of Yezidi women and children is vividly portrayed through the first-hand accounts of a young journalist who has been stationed in Iraqi Kurdistan for the past four years, diligently covering the war against ISIS and its profound impact on the country's people. In her book, Otten intricately weaves together the story of the ISIS attacks, the widespread enslavement of Yezidi women, and the devastating consequences of this tragedy. She challenges the prevalent perception of Yezidi female victimhood by highlighting the resilience and courage displayed by generations of Yezidi women who have faced persecution and adversity. Yezidi women share their experiences of following in the footsteps of their ancestors, who, during the fall of the Ottoman empire a century ago, resorted to putting ash on their faces as a means of protection against rape. Today, over 3,000 Yezidi women and girls remain trapped within the grasp of the Caliphate, where they are subjected to the horrors of human trafficking and sold as chattel to fighters. However, there is hope. Many Yezidi survivors have managed to escape or secure their release through the assistance of smugglers. Otten's book is grounded in extensive interviews with these courageous individuals, as well as those who played a pivotal role in their safe passage. Through their narratives, Otten sheds light on the ongoing struggle of the Yezidi community, highlighting the urgent need for global intervention and support in their quest for justice and recovery.

Dimension: 190 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781682192870