12th anniversary of Sinjar genocide marked in Istanbul protests
On August 3, 2014 ISIS (Daesh) launched a large‑scale attack on the Yazidi (Ezidi) community in Sinjar, Iraq, killing thousands and displacing many more. Over 2,500 Yazidis remain missing and several mass graves have yet to be opened or identified. Women and girls were abducted, sold on slave markets and subjected to sexual violence.
In Istanbul, the Free Women Movement (TJA) organized a press conference and demonstration on the 12th anniversary, attended by activists, civil‑society groups and political representatives. Speakers highlighted the ongoing lack of justice, the unresolved mass graves, the unknown fate of thousands of victims, and the continued insecurity, health, education and housing problems in Sinjar. They called for investigations into the crimes and accountability for the perpetrators.
Analysts note that the Sinjar assault was part of a broader regional strategy targeting Yazidi Kurds, and that the area remains destabilised by the presence of PKK forces and illicit activities such as drug and arms trafficking.
Entities: Free Women Movement (TJA) · Gülşen Karasu · Islamic State (ISIS) · Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh) · PKK · Rîham Hesen · Sinjar (Şengal) region · United Nations · Yazidi community
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Women and girls were abducted, enslaved and subjected to sexual violence during the attack. (Free Women Movement (TJA))
- [● 2 SOURCES] The attack resulted in thousands of Yazidis killed and many missing. (ISIS)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mass graves from the Sinjar attack remain unopened and unidentified. (Free Women Movement (TJA))
- [● 2 SOURCES] ISIS attacked Sinjar on August 3, 2014, targeting the Yazidi community. (ISIS)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Istanbul protest on the 12th anniversary was organized by the Free Women Movement (TJA). (Free Women Movement (TJA))
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Sinjar assault was part of a broader regional strategy targeting Yazidi Kurds. (Analyst commentary)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Protestors called for justice and highlighted the lack of accountability for the Sinjar crimes. (Free Women Movement (TJA))
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 2,500 Yazidis' fate remains unknown. (Free Women Movement (TJA))