Amera Ali's Fight for Truth: A Yazidi Survivor's Journey

On August 4, 2014, Amera Ali, then an 11-year-old girl, was kidnapped by Islamic State (IS) militants during their assault on the Yazidi community in Sinjar, Iraq. As she and her brother Ali were separated, Amera was taken alongside her mother and three sisters, marking the beginning of an eight-month ordeal of captivity. In her recently published book, *For Ali, For Us All: Messages From Captivity*, Amera recounts her experiences, including the sexual violence inflicted upon women and girls and the harrowing journey of escape. The book, illustrated by her cousin Suad Smo, is based on handwritten letters she wrote during her captivity, intended for her brother in hopes of reconnecting with him.

The Guardian

While imprisoned in Badush central prison, where a massacre of Shia Muslims occurred, Amera faced the constant threat of violence. Despite her mother's warnings against writing, Amera felt compelled to document the atrocities committed against her and her fellow captives. She expressed her determination, stating, “I will make something to make them angry,” highlighting her refusal to remain silent about the horrors she endured. After being separated from her family for months and facing further trauma, Amera and her fellow captives escaped in April 2015, just in time for her 12th birthday.

The Guardian

Following their escape, Amera's family spent four years in refugee camps in Iraq, struggling with food insecurity and the psychological scars of their experiences. In 2019, they relocated to Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, where Amera is now pursuing a law degree. However, the trauma from her past continues to affect her and her family.

The Guardian

Amera's advocacy extends beyond her personal story; she is focused on raising international awareness about the ongoing plight of the Yazidi community, particularly the more than 2,700 individuals still missing since the IS attacks. She emphasizes the need for truth and closure for families like hers, stating, “We just need to know the truth about our loved ones. Where is Ali, what happened to him?” Her efforts aim to garner attention from the Australian government and the international community to support investigations into the fate of the missing Yazidis.

The Guardian

• “I wrote because I was scared, but also because I had hope.” — Amera Ali, Author

The Guardian

• “Each time when I’m trying to read them, I feel Ali is beside me and he’s listening to me,” — Amera Ali, Author

The Guardian

• “View image in fullscreen ‘We just need to know the truth about our loved ones.” — Amera Ali, Author

The Guardian

Amera Ali's journey from captivity to advocacy illustrates the resilience of the Yazidi community in the face of unimaginable suffering. Through her writings and public efforts, she seeks not only to honor her brother's memory but also to ensure that the stories of those still missing are not forgotten.

The Guardian