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You’ve heard the stories. Tens of thousands of Yazidis fleeing the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) stranded on Mt. Sinjar, facing dehydration and starvation. The governments of the U.S., Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region swiftly responding with air drops of aid. Then, the Pentagon declaring the siege over.

But that is only part of the story.

Just after midnight on 3 August 2014, what happened in Sinjar? Why were residents left unprotected without warning as ISIS militants advanced on their city? Is the crisis on the mountaintop over? What does the future hold for Iraq’s 600,000 Yazidi?

For the full story, tune in to a special all-new episode of IRAQ MATTERS featuring Iraq-based researchers Christine van den Toorn and Nawaf, a Yazidi college student whose family fled from Sinjar. Also included: an Iraq Update with Musings on Iraq blogger Joel Wing and an EPIC update on Iraq’s growing humanitarian crisis.

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Time Index:

Intro with Erik Gustafson and Sarah Chaney: 00:22

Iraq Update with Joel Wing: 02:25

Humanitarian Update: 07:54

Interview with Christine and Nawaf: 11:30

Conclusion: 01:04:35