Many of the Yazidis fled to the mountains on August 3 after Kurdish fighting forces known as Peshmerga , who were protecting them , precipitously withdrew . Joe Stork : ISIS offensive in northern Iraq a catastrophe for Yazidis and Christians . Yazidis driven to mountains are now escaping , but the threat remains , Stork says . Stork : Some fleeing Yazidis suffered , died in rugged mountains . Others were killed by IS fighters who had been waiting there since last year.
Joe Stork : ISIS offensive in northern Iraq a catastrophe for Yazidis and Christians . Yazidis driven to mountains are now escaping , but the threat remains , Stork says . Stork : Some fleeing Yazidis suffered , died in rugged mountains . Others were killed by IS fighters who had been waiting there since last year.