Part 21
Author: Abu Hajjar al-Kurdi
From 2014 to 2017, during the period when Mosul was under the occupation of ISIS, the city and its inhabitants endured widespread and appalling crimes. These atrocities, committed under the banner of religious legitimacy, exposed the group’s brutal reality and left deep scars on the collective memory of the region. What follows is a detailed account of some of the most grievous crimes perpetrated by ISIS during this period.
1. Massacres and Targeted Executions
On June 10, 2014, ISIS launched an assault on Badush Prison near Mosul and brutally executed more than 670 prisoners—most of whom were Sunni Muslims. This figure was reported by various media outlets; however, it is widely believed that the actual number of victims, including those whose deaths went unreported or were deliberately concealed, was significantly higher.
2. Genocide of the Yazidi Community
In the summer of 2014, ISIS carried out large-scale offensives against Sinjar and other Yazidi-populated areas. Thousands of Yazidi men were massacred, while more than 3,500 women and children were abducted. These captives were subjected to unspeakable abuse and served as a stark example of ISIS’s genocidal policies.
3. Destruction of Historical and Cultural Heritage
ISIS deliberately targeted and destroyed many of Mosul’s most treasured historical sites, aiming to erase centuries of cultural identity. Among the sites destroyed were:
The Mosque of Prophet Yunus (Peace be upon him), which was completely demolished.
The Mosul Museum, along with invaluable ancient statues, some of which dated back thousands of years.
Several historic libraries housing rare and irreplaceable manuscripts, which were burned.
These deliberate acts of cultural vandalism were widely condemned. UNESCO denounced the destruction as a crime against humanity’s cultural heritage.
4. Enslavement, Torture, and Sexual Exploitation of Women
Among ISIS’s most heinous crimes was the abduction and abuse of Yazidi women and girls. Subjected to inhuman treatment, these women endured repeated sexual violence and were openly sold in slave markets. Numerous international reports confirm that systematic rape and exploitation were integral parts of ISIS’s strategy of terror and subjugation.
5. Atrocities Committed Under the Pretext of Sharia Enforcement
Under the guise of implementing Sharia, ISIS engaged in extensive repression. Dozens of brutal punishments were inflicted on civilians, and hundreds of innocent people were executed. This misuse of Islamic principles served as a mask for their tyranny, silencing dissent and instilling fear among the populace.
The crimes committed by ISIS—particularly after its seizure of Mosul—were catastrophic and defied human comprehension. The group’s reign was marked by a dark cloud of oppression and fear that loomed over already vulnerable populations.
Although ISIS presented itself as a defender of the oppressed, its true nature was quickly unmasked. The sheer scale of its brutality shattered its image, destabilized its foundations, and ultimately led to its collapse.
