During a special operation conducted by the SDF’s military operations teams in the city of Manbij, a young Yazidi man, Diyar Ali Raffo, who was abducted by ISIS during the genocidal onslaught in Shengal in 2014, was freed.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) successfully liberated a young Yazidi man, Diyar Ali Raffo, who was abducted by ISIS in 2014 during the terrorist attack on the Shengal (Sinjar) region of southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).
During a special operation conducted by the SDF’s military operations teams (TOL) in the city of Manbij, Diyar was located and freed from a house. An ISIS terrorist cell was attempting to smuggle him to Turkish-occupied areas. Diyar sustained injuries during an ISIS hideout bombing.
Regarding his kidnapping and family’s fate, Diyar said the following: “My name is Diyar Ali Raffo. I was born in 2004 in the village of Kocho, Shengal. My mother’s name is Souda. I have two brothers and three sisters. My oldest sister, Amsha, tragically passed away at the age of 16. My other sisters, Shilan and Intisar, are approximately 17-18 and 20 years old, respectively.
When ISIS attacked our village, they gathered all the men and imprisoned them in the school. Women, children, and the remaining men were confined to the second floor. The men were then taken to an unknown location, and their fate remains uncertain.
Subsequently, ISIS forcibly relocated women and children, including my family. We were transported to Tal Afar, where I was separated from my mother and brothers. I was placed in a school with other children, while my family was detained in a prison near Zakho.
Later, I was taken to Mosul and lost contact with my family. ISIS subjected us to their religious indoctrination and forced military training. Those aged 14 and older were compelled to join their ranks.”
Diyar did not willingly join ISIS but was kidnapped and coerced into their ranks. Now, liberated by the SDF, he yearns to reunite with his family in Shengal.
