Since the 3^rd of August 2014, the Yazidis have been suffering from the aftermath of the most reascent genocide. Over the past 10 years they have had to endure the heavy burden of living in an IDP camp unable to return home. Some have managed to return back to Shingal, where the Yazidis have resided for generations. But nothing has changed. Destruction and hardship are still heavily present within the area. Huessein Murad Abas shared his story with us. Walking through his experience of growing up in Shingal as a boy to his return with his family at age 52. Not much has changed over the years, but the demand for peace has been the strongest is has ever been.

Hussein Murad Abas was born in 1972, in the village of Dugree. His family, consisting of thirteen members. They moved to Bari village when he was very young, due to the upheavals and forced relocations orchestrated by the Baath regime in the 1970s. This was not the first time his family have had to relocate. Hussein and his family are part of a Yazidi tribe that fled Turkey during the Ottoman Empire’s genocides and settled in Shingal, Iraq. Since then his family have lived, farmed, birthed and educated on the rich soil of Shingal.

Life for Hussein has always been a struggle, marked by constant challenges and hardship. When he started school, the family’s financial situation was dire, and he had to quit in the sixth grade to support his family. They tried raising livestock, but it wasn't profitable, so they turned to growing vegetables. Even then, making ends meet was difficult, and eventually, he had to abandon farming as well.

In 1986, Hussein married Sari Hussein Ali, and they lived with his parents and siblings until 1992, when he decided to move away to become an independent farmer and start a family. They returned to vegetable farming, but by the end of 1992, Hussein switched to welding. He opened a small welding shop, which supported them. The income was just enough to keep them afloat, and he built a small house for his family with the money saved.

When ISIS invaded Shingal in 2014, his whole family fled to Kurdistan and lived in the IDP camps for nearly seven years. Life in the camp was harsh, cramped, and lacking in basic necessities. Despite repeated requests for better living conditions, they still faced dangers of living within the camps. Many fires erupted during the hot summers where the risk of losing everything that would be extremely high. Hussein didn’t want to take the chances and when it was time to leave, they packed their things and returned to their home.

In 2019, they returned to Shingal. Their home, made of mud, had collapsed, leaving only one room standing. Hussein had to sell his vehicle to repair the roof and make it livable again, which left them in financial ruin. Despite the adversity, he resumed welding and occasionally worked as a laborer, just to make ends meet.

Sari, his wife, suffers from chronic back pain, requiring frequent medical visits that they can barely afford. His oldest son, Khero, works in a cement factory, while another son, Khalid, lives in the IDP camp, taking on any job he can find. Their youngest son, Firas, faces difficulties attending school due to its distance and their lack of transportation. Living in Shingal remains a daily struggle for Hussein and his family. The region lacks essential services, and despite reaching out to numerous organizations for help, they have received no support. Hussein works tirelessly to support his family, but opportunities are scarce, and the income is meager.

Despite the continuous hardships, Hussein remains hopeful that international recognition of the Yazidi genocide will bring safety and security to their region. He and his family have faced unrelenting challenges, yet they persevere, hoping for a future where they can live in peace and stability.

In reascent months over 400 families have returned to Sinjar. The Iraqi authorities have started a program with large scale INGOs to help support families that have no transportation and accommodation due to their original home being destroyed. There is a lot that still needs improving within the region but the return of the Yazidis is a start to a brighter future.