Meet The Female Unit That's Pushing ISIS Back | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Meet The Female Unit That's Pushing ISIS Back

These women are badass.

24
Meet The Female Unit That's Pushing ISIS Back
www.CNN.com

In 2014, extreme Islamic group known as ISIS began moving into northern parts of Iraq, where the minority group, known as the Yazidi people, live.

For those who have never heard of the Yazidi people, let me explain.

The Yazidi are predominantly ethnically Kurdish. While the Kurdish people have never really had their own country, they have been living in the Kurdistan region that is in northern Iraq. Yazidi is one of the many names for the religion that these people practice. The faith is derived from Christianity, Islam, and Zoroastrianism (one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions).

Since ISIS has become more powerful in that region they have been targeting the Yazidi people because according to Radical Islamists, these people are "heretics." ISIS has given the Yazidi people two options: either convert to Islam, pay a religious fine, and flee their homes or death. The Yazidi people fled to nearby mountains where they are quickly running out of food and water. Others have paid human smugglers to transport them to other countries.

While a lot of families have fled to either neighboring mountains or to different countries, a few brave souls stayed back to fight. A 30-woman unit made up of Kurdish women (Yazidis as well as Kurdish women from Iraq and Syria) are looking for revenge for all their fellow Kurdish women who have been beaten, raped, and killed by the vicious jihadist militants. Women as young as 16 have joined the cause. Some have even left school, saying they didn't feel safe going so they are fighting to make sure it is safe for others to go to school.

These brave soldiers believe that the Islamic state militants are afraid of women fighters. Apparently if they are killed by a woman, they will go to hell, a phrase that is commonly passed around between the soldiers and is often used to get other women to join the group.

This skilled group of women has trained alongside male soldiers who are all preparing to fight against ISIS.

These women have left behind their personal lives to revenge the deaths of their fellow Kurdish/Yazidi women. They have left behind their husbands, their mothers, and their fathers, their brothers, and their sisters and more to go fight against ISIS. They are spending their days on the front line trying to push back this group of extreme Islamists.

Yes, women soldiers are common and they are fighting alongside men everywhere. All soldiers are brave, men and women alike, for leaving their families and fighting to protect the lives of others. But, I just wanted to shed some light on a group of badass soldiers who are fighting purely for the revenge of their fellow women.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

693
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

15663
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3221
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments