UN Investigative Team Identifies 160 IS Jihadists Suspected of Crimes Against Yezidis

The United Nations Investigative Team for the Accountability of Islamic State crimes (UNITAD) has identified up to 160 Islamic State (IS) jihadists who committed atrocities against Kurdish Yezidis during the groups’ genocidal attack on Sinjar.

Karim Asad Ahmad Khan, the Special Advisor and Head of UNITAD, told United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that case-files are being built to be presented to the “appropriate courts”.

“In a significant development, the government of Iraq has also taken purposeful steps toward the introduction of legislation allowing for the prosecution of acts committed by ISIS as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide,” Khan said.

He lauded the courage the victims exhibit when coming forward & sharing their accounts with the team and promised that UNITAD will continue its work to hold members of IS accountable for the crimes they committed in Iraq.

The Security Council created UNITAD in 2017 to support Iraq's efforts in holding the IS members accountable for potential war crimes through the collection, preservation and storage of evidences in line with international standards for future trials.