![FISHKHABOUR, IRAQ: A Yezidi woman breaks down in tears after crossing from Syria back into Iraq. Tens of thousands of Yezidi--an minority ethno-religious group in Iraq--have made there way to safety after being stranded on Mt. Sinjar. They escaped to the mountain after coming under attack by ISIL (The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). After days of being stranded, they were able to safely descend the mountain into Syria and then cross back into Iraq further north. (Photo by Sebastian Meyer/Corbis via Getty Images)](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HUHDV7I5HFSV4I3P6AIFVZRPLU.jpg?smart=true&auth=80506a5b10f20eccbc16d5af8da29933f99edd81ba0def48e107d4bd61320527&width=400&height=225)
A Yezidi woman breaks down in tears after crossing from Syria back into Iraq. Sebastian Meyer / Corbis via Getty Images
A Yezidi woman breaks down in tears after crossing from Syria back into Iraq. Sebastian Meyer / Corbis via Getty Images
Living in the shadows: Yazidi women tell of ISIS hell
Journalist Cathy Otten spent five years in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. She shares the experience and her insights
Sofia Barbarani
22 June, 2018