Kocho receiving and burring the remains of 41 identified victims who were killed by ISIS in 2014 including Farida’s brother

Iraq, Sinjar, Kocho

09 December, 2021

9 December 2021 marks the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. In this Day, Kocho is mourning to receive the remains of 41 identified victims after ISIS killed them in mass killing.  ISIS deliberately and systematically killed thousands of Yazidis and committed genocide against them based on the evidence found and announced by the UNITAD.

More than 88 mass graves containing the remains of Yazidi victims have been discovered so far, but only 17 of them have been exhumed.  A few months ago, 104 bodies that had been exhumed from the mass graves were identified and buried in Kocho village in Sinjar.  Today, an additional 41 bodies were identified after DNA tests of the Kocho people, and were buried following Yazidi ceremonies and traditions in Kocho.

With great sadness, tearful eyes, and sorrowful day, Yazidi Community received the remains of 41 victims who were killed at the hands of ISIS. This is in addition to the 104 that were received in Kocho a few months ago.

Among the previous round of the victims was the father of Farida Abbas, the head of our organization, and in this round was her brother. There are also those who are uncles, aunts, relatives and friends to Farida.  It is a difficult, heavy and painful day for all of the Yazidis, especially for the people of Kocho, and for Farida and her mother.

We would like to express our gratitude and thanks to UNITAD and the head of their team Mr. @Christian Ritchard for standing by Farida and families of victims today, and comforting them during this difficult time. Thanks for the small contribution to help facilitation of the movement of the Youth Groups to and from Kocho for organizing the event.

We would like also to thank ICMP for their partnership and generous funding to extend the hand of help and making it possible for families currently living in Germany to be able to travel to Kocho and be present at the ceremony and funeral of burial for their beloved ones.

We extend our condolences to the families of those laid to rest today and to the people of Kocho for their loss.