Iraqi Government honors 41 Yezidi victims of genocide in emotional ceremony

BAGHDAD — In a ceremony attended by dignitaries, political figures, and community leaders, the Iraqi Government officially handed over the remains of 41 Yezidi victims of genocide to their families. The event was led by Minister of Health Salih al-Hasnawi, representing Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani, and took place in Baghdad.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Health, the Forensic Medicine Department completed conformity checks on the remains, bringing the total number handed over to Yezidi families to approximately 188 victims. The ceremony was attended by officials, members of the House of Representatives, religious and social figures, and the families of the victims.

The Forensic Medicine Department continues its efforts, conducting conformity checks on remains from periodically opened graves, ensuring the respectful handover to families.

The Yezidi community suffered greatly at the hands of the Islamic State (ISIS) following its invasion of Shigur (Shengal / Sinjar) on 23 August 2014. Over 5,000 Yezidis were killed, and 6,417 were kidnapped. The pre-ISIS Yazidi population in Iraq numbered about 550,000. Presently, 135,000 Yazidis reside in camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), with over 120,000 having sought refuge outside the country, according to the Office for the Rescue of Kidnapped Yezidis.