CRSV: Iraqi Turkmen Genocide

This case note documents the occurrence of sexual violence in violent conflict. It contains explicit mentions of different forms of sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.

Background of the Conflict

The Iraqi Turkmen genocide refers to a campaign comprising killing, rape, execution, expulsion, and sexual slavery targeting Iraqi Turkmen people by the Islamic State (ISIS). Following the ISIS’ capture of Iraqi Turkmen lands in 2014, this campaign of targeted violence continued until 2017-2018, when ISIS lost its stronghold over the land in Iraq (Puttick, 2015). The Iraqi Turkmen are the third largest ethnic group in Iraq. Of Turkic descent and residing in the Turkmeneli historical region, they have been targeted by genocidal campaigns in the past, as well, such as during the Alton Kapri, Gavubagi, and Kirkuk massacres (Oğuzlu, 2004). The ISIS’ army abducted several Turkmen people, burned down their houses, stole their livestock, and displaced several more (Puttick, 2015). Reports suggest that at least 2200 to 3500 people were killed, over 600,000 were displaced, and around 4,900 people are missing (Baban, 2021).

Prevalence of Sexual Violence

Reports show that women were targeted with rape, children were subject to sexual abuse, and men were subject to different forms of sexual assault (UNHCR, 2016). Reports also show that pregnant women were targeted and humanitarian aid was cut for them. On many occasions, women and girls were abducted and subject to sexual slavery and forced marriages. In some sites, single women were separated out from married women, and were subject to rape in full public view, and some of them were subject to such heinous levels of assault and rape that they wound up dying as a result. Refusal to marry ISIS fighters led to the execution of several women. Many women who were abducted are still missing. In some places, abducted girls were raped and murdered and hung.

Basis of the use of Sexual Violence

Given that the ISIS used sexual violence as part of a larger campaign targeting the Iraqi Turkmen, it is clear that the use of rape and sexual violence were intended as means to facilitate ethnic erasure and genocide. It was also used as a tool of intimidation and torture to forcibly displace and drive out whole communities in pursuit of the larger goal of land ownership. It was also used as a means to humiliate and insult the community by targeting them with sexual violence.

References

Baban, G. (2021). "Turkmen women call to uncover fate of 1300 missing Turkmen abducted by ISIS". Kirkuknow. https://kirkuknow.com/en/news/64788

Oğuzlu, T. H. (2004). "Endangered community: the Turkoman identity in Iraq". Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs. 24 (2).

Puttick, M. (2015). "No Place to Turn: Violence against women in the Iraq conflict." https://minorityrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ceasefire-report-no-place-to-turn.pdf

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "Refworld | Report on the Protection of Civilians in the Armed Conflict in Iraq: 1 November 2015 – 30 September 2016". Refworld. https://www.refworld.org/docid/5885c1694.html