Author Suzan Khairi, a Yezidi from Sinjar, was deeply affected by the genocide against the Yezidis perpetrated by ISIS in August 2014, during which thousands of Yezidis were killed, kidnapped, and displaced.
This tragedy that befell her community inspired her to write her second novel, Thirst: A Story of a German ISIS Member & Her Yazidi Victim, which was published in March 2024.
“The genocidal attacks by ISIS profoundly affected me, as they did every Yezidi. The pain, loss, and trauma experienced by our community, including the stories of innocent children like the one in my book, motivated me to write and advocate for justice. Even though I was not in Sinjar during the attacks, the suffering of my people has deeply influenced my life and work,” she told Kurdistan Chronicle.
German ISIS members, both men and women, have faced trial in Germany for abusing Yezidi women and committing genocidal crimes against Yezidis. Additionally, ISIS male fighters were involved in the sexual abuse of Yezidi women.
“This book is based on a true story, detailing the real-life experiences of a five-year-old Yezidi girl who was a victim of an Iraqi ISIS member and his German wife,” Khairi said. “Since the story is true, the choice of topic was driven by the need to document and share the harrowing experiences of this Yezidi girl, highlighting the atrocities committed by ISIS members from different backgrounds.”
Bearing witness
“Through its unflinching portrayal of the Yezidi genocide and the heinous acts perpetrated by ISIS, this novel serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced in the face of evil,” the book description reads on Amazon.
“As readers bear witness to the girl’s plight, they are compelled to confront the darkest depths of human depravity and to stand in solidarity with those who continue to suffer at the hands of tyranny and oppression.”
Khairi added that she decided to write the book “because the story of this five-year-old Yezidi girl represents the horrific reality faced by many Yezidis during the genocide.”
“It was important,” she noted, “to document this true story, not only to honor the victim but also to shed light on the atrocities committed by ISIS, so that the world may never forget.
“The process involved extensive research and a commitment to telling the truth about the experiences of Yezidi survivors,” she added.
The book was published by Westphalia Press in the United States. “Reaching a publisher in the United States was challenging due to the competitive nature of the publishing industry and the sensitive nature of the subject matter. However, I was determined to find a platform to share this important story, which eventually led to its publication,” she added.
Khairi previously published another book titled The Gift of the Feast in 2016, which is a story about a young Yezidi man who survived ISIS. “Both books focus on the resilience and suffering of the Yezidi people under ISIS,” she said.
More needs to be done
On August 3, 2024, the 10th anniversary of the Yezidi Genocide was commemorated during an event in Erbil and Sinjar. Despite the passage of 10 years, more than 2,000 Yezidi people remain missing, and many are still displaced in camps or trying to flee to Europe.
During the event in Erbil, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan said that over 5,000 Yezidi individuals were brutally murdered and buried in 100 mass graves.
Additionally, more than 6,400 Yezidi females, minors, and young children were abducted and subjected to trafficking. He also added that the whereabouts of 2,596 of these individuals remain unknown.
“Despite the efforts that have been made, much more needs to be done to find and rescue the missing Yezidi women and girls who were abducted by ISIS,” Khairi said. “It is crucial that the international community remains committed to this cause, providing the necessary resources and support to ensure justice and healing for the Yezidi people.”
Moreover, she stated that the international community has a moral and legal obligation to ensure that foreign ISIS members are held accountable for their crimes, especially those involving the abuse and genocide of Yezidis.
“Countries like Germany have already made significant strides in prosecuting ISIS members, but much more needs to be done on a global scale. These trials are essential for justice, not only for the victims, but also to send a clear message that such atrocities will not go unpunished. More countries should follow suit, and there should be coordinated international efforts to bring these perpetrators to justice.”
