Umm Hudaifa, the first wife of the late IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is currently detained in an Iraqi prison. In a rare interview, she shared insights into her life with the leader of the Islamic State group. Umm Hudaifa was married to al-Baghdadi during his reign over parts of Syria and Iraq, where he oversaw brutal rule.
Living in Raqqa, Syria, with her husband in 2014, Umm Hudaifa described a moment when her husband’s true identity as the leader of IS was revealed to her through a televised speech from Mosul. This marked a turning point in their lives as she realized the extent of his involvement in extremist activities.
Despite her claims of trying to escape her husband’s influence and denying any involvement in IS’s atrocities, Umm Hudaifa faces accusations of colluding in the sexual enslavement of kidnapped girls and women. Yazidi victims have brought forth evidence against her, alleging her role in heinous crimes committed by the terrorist group.
Born into a conservative Iraqi family, Umm Hudaifa married al-Baghdadi in 1999 when he was a religious but not extremist individual. However, his time in US detention and subsequent transformation into an extremist figure marked a significant shift in their relationship. She described his change in demeanor and behavior following his detention, pointing to psychological issues and potential torture experiences during captivity.
As IS expanded its reign of terror, Umm Hudaifa and her family moved across war-torn regions, eventually settling in Raqqa, the de facto capital of the IS caliphate. Amidst the brutality and atrocities committed by IS, including genocide against the Yazidi minority and publicized beheadings, Umm Hudaifa claimed to have challenged her husband’s actions and expressed shock at the inhumane acts carried out by the group.
Her interactions with kidnapped Yazidi girls, including her own daughter’s forced marriage at a young age, shed light on the horrors faced by innocent victims at the hands of IS. Despite her claims of innocence and victimhood, testimonies from survivors and victims’ families paint a different picture of her involvement in the crimes perpetrated by IS.
The interview with Umm Hudaifa revealed a complex narrative of a woman caught in the web of extremism and violence orchestrated by her husband and his associates. As she awaits potential criminal charges, her story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of terrorist organizations on individuals and communities affected by their actions.