As the “Islamic State” swept through Iraq in 2014, they targeted villages around Mount Sinjar, home to the Yazidi community. Encircling the mountain, they killed thousands of Yazidi men and abducted an estimated 5,000 women and children to be sold at slave markets and through dedicated WhatsApp/Viber groups.
With no help forthcoming, Abu Shuja, a Yazidi smuggler, used his skills and network to daringly steal back the people languishing in ISIS captivity. His success of rescuing over 500 people lead to ISIS placing a $500,000 bounty on his head, eventually pitting him and his family against the necessity to flee their country.
“Victims of ISIS” was later included in the asylum request for Abu Shuja and his family. After successful lobbying, they were granted asylum in Europe.
ROLE: Director, producer, director of photography
DURATION: 48 minutes
BROADCASTER: RT Documentary
