SDF frees young Yazidi woman before ISIS mercenaries managed to take her to Turkey

A young woman, Roza Emin Bereket, who was captured by ISIS mercenaries 8 years ago and rescued in Rojava by the SDF, was reunited with her family in Shengal.

The ceremony with which the young woman was reunited with her family took place in Shengal. Roza, whose father, mother and siblings are still in the hands of ISIS mercenaries, was welcomed by her uncle.

The young woman said: “3 August 2014 is the blackest day of our lives. When ISIS mercenaries attacked Shengal, they massacred our people, separated them from one another. They raped women and sold them in slave markets.”

Bereket said: “The ideology of ISIS mercenaries against Yazidi women was very bad. They used psychological torture. I was staying in Deir ez-Zor. They had decided to take us to Turkey. But SDF forces saved us while we were on the way there. I thank the SDF and the Asayish forces for saving us. They brought us to the camp in Kobanê where Yazidi refugees lived. They spoke with Şêx Faruk, one of the elders of the Yazidis. Then they brought me to Shengal, to my family. I thank them very much.

I was very happy to see my family. But I am sad because I can’t see my mother. But I believe that the SDF will liberate her and I will be able to welcome her.”

Roza’s grandmother, Xense Xelef, told the SDF that their help “and solidarity brought my grandchild back.”

The girl’s uncle said: “Roza is my niece. She was captured by ISIS mercenaries with all her family members. Two of her sisters and one brother were also rescued. But her mother, father and a few other siblings remained in the hands of the Islamic State. Roza was rescued a month ago. She stayed with the Yazidis in Rojava. Now Roza is here. I am eternally grateful to everyone who helped.”