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                    Islamic State Group Releases 200 Yazidis

   by VOA News

   The Islamic State group has released at least 200 Yazidis after five
   months of captivity in Iraq.

   Officials say almost all of those released Saturday were elderly or
   sick, including several children.

   Islamic State fighters attacked the Yazidis in August, forcing
   thousands of them to flee to Sinjar mountain.

   IS militants declare most people in their path infidels, but seem to
   reserve a special wrath for those of the Yazidi faith.

   In their advance across Iraq, IS fighters have summarily shot and
   killed Yazidi men, kidnapped women and girls, and boasted of selling
   them as slaves. Recent guidelines by the Islamic State group detail the
   types of sexual and other assault that slaves may be subjected to.

   ((rest opt))

   Yazidis are ethnic Kurds whose ancient, monotheistic religion has links
   to Zoroastrianism.

   Yazidis have suffered repeated bouts of discrimination over the
   centuries, in particular by Arab Muslims who misunderstand their faith.



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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/islamic-state-group-releases-200-yazi
   dis/2603266.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/islamic-state-group-releases-200-yazidis/2603266.html