Surprising revelation about two Russian girls escaping from IS hell
Returning to normal life has not been easy for two Russian sisters who became orphans after their parents died fighting for the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization in Iraq.
Fatima and Khadija were brought back from Iraq to reunite with their grandparents in the Russian Republic of Dagestan in August last year. Nearly a year has passed since their escape from the hell of IS, but the two girls are still struggling to cope with the psychological trauma of the war, according to RT news agency.
However, those who have been in contact with Fatima and Khadija say they feel safe at home in Makhachkala, a suburb of Dagestan, southern Russia. “They look and act like any other children their age, except for their traumatic experiences,” journalist Madina Kochenova said.
Of the two sisters, Khadija is quite active and open. However, Fatima, who is two years younger, is quiet and seems introverted, often trying to stick with her grandfather - Mr. Anwar. "Fatima doesn't let me go anywhere. She said, her father also left early in the morning and never came back in the evening. She told me about the gas station where her father worked being bombed. She told me how the planes came, dropped the bombs and left," said Mr. Anwar.
In May 2015, both of Mr. Anwar's sons secretly left Russia to join the terrorist organization IS in Iraq, in which the older son took his wife and two daughters with him. "About a week after they left, I received news from my son saying that they were in Türkiye. I immediately understood everything and felt extremely bad," Mr. Anwar recalled.
The last time Mr. Anwar spoke to his son was just before Iraqi government forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition, launched a counter-offensive to retake control of the city of Mosul, IS’s main stronghold in the Middle Eastern country. Not long afterward, Fatima and Khadija’s parents were killed in a drone strike, leaving them alone.
A few weeks later, two traumatized and battered girls were brought to an orphanage in Baghdad. They were among a group of Russian-speaking orphans, children of IS fighters killed by coalition forces, featured in an RT report.
After the report aired, RT launched a campaign to find relatives for the orphans. A 7-year-old girl who played with Fatima and Khadija in Makhachkala recognized them while watching the film.
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| Fatima never leaves her grandfather's side. Photo: RT |
"I remember when the film crew came and showed me the footage, I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't think the little girls would ever come home," Mr. Anwar emotionally expressed.
"Khadija remembers very well how difficult and dangerous it was to go to fetch water. So when they returned home, they were always thirsty. They drank water continuously, up to 5 liters a day. Only three weeks ago, this strange thing stopped. They no longer wake up in the middle of the night to ask for water," Mr. Anwar added.
Many families across Russia's North Caucasus region are still searching for grandchildren lost in Syria and Iraq. Anwar's advice to them is, "if there is anything, any small sign that your grandchildren are alive, grab it, run around and beg for help. There are still good people in this world."