Nadia’s Initiative, Nobel Peace laureate Nadia Murad’s foundation, welcomes the news of renewed actions through multilateral cooperation that continue to dismantle ISIS’ top command. The raid led by U.S. Special Forces last week in Syria serves to remind ISIS victims and survivors worldwide that they have not been forgotten by the international community.
The raid targeted Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, one of the leaders of the terrorist organization. He was known to have issued orders to perpetrate atrocities against civilians and, in particular, the Yazidi people.
In 2014, Mr. Al-Quraishi ordered the launch of ISIS’ genocide against the Yazidi community in Iraq; massacring men and older women, trafficking women and girls, conscripting boys, and destroying vital infrastructure across the Sinjar region.
Nadia Murad, human rights activist and founder of «Nadia’s Initiative», said:
“As a survivor of ISIS’ inhumane brutality, I am heartened that the terror organization’s actions have not been forgotten and there remains resolve to bring them to justice. The raid led by the U.S. Special Forces in Syria targeted Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, one of the leaders of ISIS known to have issued orders to conduct atrocities against humanity, in particular the genocide against my Yazidi community and the ruthless campaign of sexual slavery targeting women and girls. While today’s actions remind my fellow survivors and I that our suffering has not been forgotten, there is more that must be done, including plans to support the recovery of the Yazidi community and efforts to bring other members of ISIS to justice, including in a court of law.”
Close to a decade has passed, but the trauma and destruction has vividly remained in Yazidis’ minds and hearts. Today, 200,000 Yazidis remain internally displaced in Iraq, while 2,800 women and children are still missing and presumed to be enslaved by ISIS forces. The international community’s apathy towards these atrocities has left the community with little hope for justice and accountability.
Today’s actions mark the beginning of renewed multilateral action to bring ISIS perpetrators to justice and security to the region. However, any efforts to combat ISIS must go together with tangible commitments to stabilize the Yazidi homeland of Sinjar in northern Iraq, rescue the thousands of missing women and children, and ensure justice and reparations for survivors.
Nadia’s Initiative has been working on the ground and around the world to help rebuild the Yazidi community. The Initiative is providing access to healthcare, education, and resources to empower economic recovery for communities in Sinjar. Yet, there is still more work to be done.
Nadia’s Initiative has launched an advocacy campaign to raise awareness about this stark reality: the consequences of genocide do not end when conflict does. Nor will they end when ISIS is finally dismantled. Only survivor-centric justice can bring the healing and accountability that survivors need to rebuild their lives.

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