Watch: How Yazidi Girl Abducted By ISIS Rescued From Gaza After A Decade

Fawzia Amin Sido, a young Yazidi woman who was kidnapped by ISIS at just 11 years old, has been rescued from Hamas after nearly a decade in captivity, Israeli officials reported Thursday. The 21-year-old was freed earlier this week during a months-long operation led by the United States and has since reunited with her family in Iraq. A heartwarming video of their emotional reunion quickly went viral.

A Journey of Survival

According to David Saranga, director of the digital diplomacy bureau at Israel’s foreign ministry, Fawzia was abducted from her home in Iraq during a horrific campaign by ISIS in 2014, which saw over 5,000 Yazidi people killed and thousands more kidnapped. After being taken by ISIS, she was trafficked to Gaza, where she remained captive for the next ten years.

WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO OF RESCUE:

“Fawzia, a Yazidi girl kidnapped by ISIS from Iraq and brought to Gaza at just 11 years old, has finally been rescued by the Israeli security forces,” Saranga shared on X (formerly Twitter). “For years, she was held captive by a Palestinian Hamas-ISIS member. She has now been reunited with her family.”

The Cost of Captivity

Though Fawzia was found in good physical condition, Iraqi officials noted that she is traumatized by her lengthy ordeal. The rescue operation, which spanned over four months, faced several setbacks due to the challenging security situation created by Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

Silwan Sinjaree, chief of staff for Iraq’s foreign minister, confirmed the complexities involved in the rescue attempts. “We had several attempts that failed due to the difficult security situation,” he explained, underscoring the precarious nature of the operation.

The Impact of Fawzia’s Story

Fawzia’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the brutal reality faced by Yazidi children who have been forcibly taken from their families. Her experiences reflect the ongoing plight of many individuals from minority communities in conflict zones, particularly those affected by the actions of extremist groups like ISIS.

As the world watches her journey unfold, Fawzia’s rescue brings hope and highlights the resilience of those who survive unimaginable circumstances.