A small boy sits on the ground at Shariya refugee camp in Duhok, in Iraqi Kurdistan. It's home to thousands of Yazidis, many who fled from Mount Sinjar and surrounding towns when ISIS fighters moved in.
A small boy sits on the ground at Shariya refugee camp in Duhok, in Iraqi Kurdistan. It's home to thousands of Yazidis, many who fled from Mount Sinjar and surrounding towns when ISIS fighters moved in.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
Thousands of Yazidis from the town of Sinjar were taken captive by ISIS forces. Fighters separated the women from men and forced them to become sex slaves. Men faced a choice: Convert to Islam or be shot.
Thousands of Yazidis from the town of Sinjar were taken captive by ISIS forces. Fighters separated the women from men and forced them to become sex slaves. Men faced a choice: Convert to Islam or be shot.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
While thousands of Yazidis were captured, thousands of others fled. Many ended up here in the camp, where you can hear the occasional reverberation of what are said to be airstrikes from the ISIS front line, around 30 kilometers (18 miles) away.
While thousands of Yazidis were captured, thousands of others fled. Many ended up here in the camp, where you can hear the occasional reverberation of what are said to be airstrikes from the ISIS front line, around 30 kilometers (18 miles) away.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
Amid all the uncertainty, a woman carries out domestic tasks. Yazidis are of Kurdish descent, and their religion is considered a pre-Islamic sect that draws from Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism.
Amid all the uncertainty, a woman carries out domestic tasks. Yazidis are of Kurdish descent, and their religion is considered a pre-Islamic sect that draws from Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
Children play in the dirt with toys crafted from cardboard. Some clamber through the wire fence and play with rocks -- anything to keep themselves entertained.
Children play in the dirt with toys crafted from cardboard. Some clamber through the wire fence and play with rocks -- anything to keep themselves entertained.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
The Shariya camp opened six months ago and now 4,000 tents line the dusty ground, providing shelter to thousands of refugees.
The Shariya camp opened six months ago and now 4,000 tents line the dusty ground, providing shelter to thousands of refugees.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
A small child is seen within the safety of a tent at the refugee camp. It's not known how long they'll have to stay here.
A small child is seen within the safety of a tent at the refugee camp. It's not known how long they'll have to stay here.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
A man gives another a shave. For many, an element of normalcy has returned after months in the camp.
A man gives another a shave. For many, an element of normalcy has returned after months in the camp.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
Despite everything they've been through, some Yazidi refugees find a reason to smile.
Despite everything they've been through, some Yazidi refugees find a reason to smile.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
Many families were separated when ISIS forces raided Yazidi villages, mercilessly killing anyone who tried to escape.
Many families were separated when ISIS forces raided Yazidi villages, mercilessly killing anyone who tried to escape.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
No one knows the reason why, but in early April, ISIS<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F04%2F08%2Fworld%2Fisis-yazidis-released%2F"> released more than 200 Yazidis</a>. Many of them were women and children, others were ill or elderly.
No one knows the reason why, but in early April, ISIS released more than 200 Yazidis. Many of them were women and children, others were ill or elderly.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
The Yazidis have long suffered persecution, with many Muslims referring to them as devil worshipers. The ISIS storming of Sinjar created a humanitarian crisis as some fled into the mountains and were trapped without food or water.
The Yazidis have long suffered persecution, with many Muslims referring to them as devil worshipers. The ISIS storming of Sinjar created a humanitarian crisis as some fled into the mountains and were trapped without food or water.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN