IS in Iraq: Yazidi women raped, murdered and sold as brides

Islamic State views Yazidis as apostates and has vowed to kill any who do not convert to Islam. AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed

Christian Aid has "utterly condemned" the rape, sex slavery and murders of Yazidi women in Iraq.

Evidence of the atrocities is emerging in reports of women being held in an Islamic State prison where they are being sold for between $25 and $150 as brides.

The charity is among the humanitarian groups and aid agencies who are increasingly concerned about the women, taken captivity while attempting to escape Mount Sinjar.

They have been imprisoned in Badush Prison, where hundreds of Shia prisoners were executed when Islamic State first took Mosul, in northern Iraq.

The Daily Beast reported that women and girls as young as 14 are being offered the chance to convert. If they accept, they are sold as wives. If not, they are raped, tortured and eventually murdered.

Women from other groups, including Christians and Turkomans, are also thought to be suffering the same fate, according to sources in Iraq.

Accounts of the prison have come from women who managed to hide their mobile phones, calling relatives to describe their plight. Some imprisoned women have been forced by militants to call their families.

The mother of one woman still held captive told The Daily Beast about the call she received from her daughter. She was forced to listen as her daughter detailed being raped by dozens of men over the course of a few hours. Babies are being born in the prison, and being immediately taken away from the mothers who have no idea of their fate.

Pakhshan Zangana, head of the High Council of Women's Affairs for The Kurdish Regional Government, who is attempting to help by raising funds to try and buy the captured Yazidi women back into safety, said: "We have women and families calling in every day, the situation is getting desperate."

She added: "It's sick. [Islamic State] went so far as to force the local beauticians to come in and dress them up, putting makeup on them. Then telling them to instruct the women to be submissive to their new husbands." She added: "This is not just a Kurdish or Iraqi problem, this is an international crisis."

Ann Ward, Christian Aid's consultant in Iraq, who has met many Yazidi communities affected by the recent violence, said: "I have heard stories from Yazidi families whose female family members have been abducted by IS."

Christian Aid said: "We are appealing for the protection of all people, including persecuted religious minorities such as the Yazidis and Christians – hundreds of thousands of whom have fled in fear of their lives.

"Our long-term partners in Iraq, who have already been responding to the ongoing displacement of communities, are providing vital humanitarian relief to communities displaced in recent weeks. This has been done through the kind support to the Christian Aid Iraq appeal.

"Christian Aid utterly condemns the deliberate targeting of civilians and committing of atrocities against civilians."

related articles
Yazidis have escaped Mount Sinjar but still face brutal attacks
Yazidis have escaped Mount Sinjar but still face brutal attacks

Yazidis have escaped Mount Sinjar but still face brutal attacks

Dozens of Yazidi men \'massacred\' by the Islamic State, women and children abducted
Dozens of Yazidi men 'massacred' by the Islamic State, women and children abducted

Dozens of Yazidi men 'massacred' by the Islamic State, women and children abducted

Faith leaders unite to condemn ISIS \'gross and systematic\' violence
Faith leaders unite to condemn ISIS 'gross and systematic' violence

Faith leaders unite to condemn ISIS 'gross and systematic' violence

\'Long-term it looks terrible,\' says Christian Aid partner in Iraq
'Long-term it looks terrible,' says Christian Aid partner in Iraq

'Long-term it looks terrible,' says Christian Aid partner in Iraq

UK must lead action against ISIS says Archbishop of York
UK must lead action against ISIS says Archbishop of York

UK must lead action against ISIS says Archbishop of York

The hardest prayer: why it\'s time to #prayforISIS
The hardest prayer: why it's time to #prayforISIS

The hardest prayer: why it's time to #prayforISIS

News
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight

The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has come under pressure over her handling of past safeguarding cases. 

Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial

A leading figure among conservative evangelical Anglicans will not stand trial for alleged abuse, it has emerged.

Church of England bishops delay final decision on same-sex blessings
Church of England bishops delay final decision on same-sex blessings

The Church of England's House of Bishops has postponed a final decision on the Living in Love and Faith process as it continues to work on proposals. 

Faith in the festive chaos: how you can sustain your family’s faith this Christmas
Faith in the festive chaos: how you can sustain your family’s faith this Christmas

Anna Hawken, Parenting for Faith from BRF Ministries, has some helpful tips for families to connect with God in the midst of the "December tornado".