The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently carried out a daring and complex operation to rescue a Yazidi woman who had been kidnapped by ISIS at the age of 11 and trafficked to Gaza.
The rescue of Fawzia Amin Sido is a story of endurance, survival, and international cooperation, culminating in her reunion with her family in Iraq after almost a decade of captivity.
The Kidnapping of Fawzia Amin Sido by ISIS
In 2014, ISIS launched a brutal campaign against the Yazidi minority in Iraq, committing widespread atrocities that the United Nations has described as genocide.
Among the thousands kidnapped during this assault was Fawzia Amin Sido, a Yazidi girl from Sinjar, who was only 11 years old at the time.
Like many Yazidi women and children, Fawzia was taken away from her family and subjected to the horrors of ISIS captivity. The terrorist organization sold her to a man from Gaza, who took her out of Iraq and held her captive in the Gaza Strip for years.
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The Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking religious minority, faced untold suffering during this period. ISIS targeted their communities, killing over 5,000 people and capturing more than 6,000 women and children.
Many of the women and girls were sold into sexual slavery, while boys were indoctrinated and trained to become child soldiers. The brutality inflicted on the Yazidi community is one of the most horrific chapters in the history of ISIS’s reign of terror.
IDF’s Role in the Rescue Operation
The story of Fawzia Amin Sido took a dramatic turn when Israeli security forces, in coordination with other international actors, rescued her from captivity in Gaza.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the rescue was part of a highly complex operation that involved significant planning and collaboration between various entities, including the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the US Embassy in Jerusalem, and other international partners.
The IDF’s statement confirmed that Sido’s captor, a Gazan man affiliated with both Hamas and ISIS, was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
With her captor dead, Fawzia managed to escape and seek refuge within Gaza. Following her escape, Israeli security forces were able to locate her and safely extract her from the region through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
From there, Fawzia was transferred to Jordan via the Allenby Bridge, a major border crossing between Israel and Jordan. The final leg of her journey home was facilitated through coordination between Israel, Jordan, and the United States, allowing her to be reunited with her family in Iraq.
International and Humanitarian Coordination
The successful rescue of Fawzia Amin Sido was not only a testament to the IDF’s operational capabilities but also an example of international cooperation in humanitarian efforts.
The US State Department played a crucial role in the rescue, confirming that it helped facilitate her safe evacuation from Gaza. The joint effort between Israel, the United States, Jordan, and Iraq highlights the importance of international partnerships in resolving complex cases involving terrorism and human trafficking.
While Israel’s involvement in the rescue was not mentioned in the Iraqi government’s announcement, the IDF’s official statements made it clear that their forces were instrumental in ensuring Fawzia’s safe return.
The operation also shed light on the connection between Hamas and ISIS in Gaza, further exposing the violent and criminal activities carried out by terrorist organizations in the region.
The Plight of Yazidi Women
Fawzia Amin Sido’s story is one of thousands that demonstrate the suffering endured by Yazidi women and children during the ISIS occupation of northern Iraq.
When ISIS swept through the Sinjar region in 2014, they sought to eradicate the Yazidi population, viewing them as heretics. The campaign resulted in thousands of deaths, and the mass abduction of women and children who were subjected to unimaginable abuse.
Over the years, efforts by the Iraqi government and international organizations have led to the rescue of more than 3,500 Yazidis, yet the fate of many remains unknown.
Around 2,600 Yazidi women and children are still missing, and many are feared dead. However, Yazidi activists believe that hundreds are still alive, potentially held in captivity in various locations across the Middle East.
For those who have been rescued, the trauma of their experiences remains. Many Yazidi women and children who were held by ISIS have had to endure years of physical and psychological abuse. Their stories continue to resonate as the world grapples with the aftermath of ISIS’s atrocities.
The Connection Between Hamas and ISIS
One of the most significant revelations from the rescue of Fawzia Amin Sido is the connection between Hamas and ISIS. The IDF has repeatedly stated that there is evidence of collaboration between the two groups, both of which are responsible for crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Hamas, the de facto ruling authority in Gaza, has long been associated with acts of terrorism, but the involvement of ISIS operatives within Gaza further complicates the security situation in the region.
The IDF’s rescue mission serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by these terrorist organizations and the ongoing threat to vulnerable populations, such as the Yazidi community, who continue to face persecution even after the fall of ISIS’s so-called caliphate.
Reunited with Her Family
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.
— David Saranga (@DavidSaranga) October 3, 2024
For years, she was held captive by a Palestinian Hamas-ISIS member.
She has now been reunited with her family. Her story is a… pic.twitter.com/nkVotqYdov
The final chapter of Fawzia Amin Sido’s ordeal was marked by her emotional reunion with her family in Sinjar, Iraq. After nearly ten years in captivity, Fawzia was embraced by her loved ones, an image that was captured and shared by Jewish philanthropist Steve Maman.
Maman, who has been involved in efforts to rescue Yazidi women and children, posted a video of the reunion on social media, underscoring the importance of humanitarian efforts in restoring the lives of survivors.
Fawzia’s return to her family is a source of relief and joy for the Yazidi community, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the thousands of others who are still missing. The rescue of women like Fawzia provides hope to those still searching for their loved ones, as international actors continue to work to locate and liberate the remaining captives.
The rescue of Fawzia Amin Sido by the IDF is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the capabilities of international cooperation. After years of suffering under ISIS captivity and later being held in Gaza, Fawzia’s journey to freedom has captivated the world’s attention.
The complex operation carried out by the IDF, in conjunction with the US, Jordan, and Iraq, is a remarkable achievement that highlights the potential for successful humanitarian interventions in even the most challenging circumstances.
While the story of Fawzia Amin Sido’s rescue offers a glimmer of hope, it also serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing plight of Yazidi women and children who continue to suffer from the aftermath of ISIS’s genocidal campaign.
The world must remain vigilant in its efforts to bring justice to the victims of terrorism and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏