Iraqi Yazidis in Georgia commemorate anniversary of genocide at hands of IS, but find little opportunity in new home

• Yazidis near the Georgian capital of Tbilisi commemorated the first anniversary of the Islamic State’s massacre of 3,000 Yazidi men and abduction of 5,000 women and children in Sinjar, Iraq.
• Yazidis began arriving in Georgia seeking asylum soon after the August violence, but faced a host of issues ranging from the expiration of Georgia’s visa-free agreement with Iraq to the low ($113/month) stipend for families.
• The community has faced persecution not only from IS, but from the Iraqi and Kurdistan governments, who often refuse to acknowledge a Yazidi culture and identity distinct from Kurds.

“It’s a tragedy, but it has united us, made us wake up and shown us what we can do.”

Read the full story at Al-Monitor.

(Image Credit: Maxim Edwards, via Al-Monitor)