Kurtey, Ghazal, Karmey, Beshey and Noorey are Yezidi women from northern Iraq who were forced to flee in August 2014 when IS swept through the region in a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing.

They abducted thousands of Yezidi men, women and children forcing them to convert to Islam and killed hundreds of men in cold blood. Captured women and girls were subjected to torture, including rape, forcibly married, ‘sold’ or given as ‘gifts’ to IS fighters or their supporters and forced into sexual slavery. Boys were separated from their families and sent to training military camps.

An estimated 3,800 Yezidi women and children still remain captive. Hundreds of thousands are internally displaced in Iraq. Many others became refugees.

The group felt unsafe in Nea Kavala camp and formed a protection circle to look after each other.

“We don't use the showers; we have built a Hammam next to our tents”.

The women have since moved to another camp. 

We want our voices to be heard… get us out of Greece.

You can send a personalised message of support to the Yezidi sisterhood by completing the email form. You may wish to include:

What touched you about their story
What qualities they have that have inspired you
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