Officials in Ottawa are working to help reunite a Yazidi woman living in Winnipeg with her 12-year-old son who was recently freed from ISIS captivity.
The head of the Yazidi Association of Manitoba said Nofa Mihlo Zaghla became separated from two of her sons and her husband in August 2014 when a village in Iraq where the family lived was attacked by ISIS militants.
Zaghla learned last week her son, Emad Mishko Tamo, is still alive when a relative recognized a photo of the boy posted online.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada spokesperson Lisa Filipps said the department is aware of the situation and is acting accordingly.
“All Yazidi cases are being expedited,” Filipps said in a statement. “The government of Canada has already committed to welcoming up to 1200 survivors of Daesh (ISIS) and we are working with partners in the region to identify vulnerable Yazidi women and children and other survivors of Daesh and their family members.”
Hadji Hesso with the Yazidi Association of Manitoba said Emad is recovering from gunshot wounds and has asked to be reunited with his mother.
“The child is in a safe zone,” said Hesso. “She (Nofa) wants her child. That’s all she wants.”
Hesso said Emad was freed following the liberation of Mosul from ISIS.
The Yazidi Association of Manitoba, Kurdish Initiative for Refugees and Winnipeg Friends of Israel are urging the Canadian government to help bring Emad to Winnipeg.
Steve Maman, the president of the Liberation of Christian and Yazidi Children of Iraq has also played a key role in the campaign.
