Historic sites emerged as a result of drought-stricken area

The Yazidi people are a religious minority in Iraq who have faced persecution, particularly from the extremist group ISIS, who enslaved or killed those who refused to convert to Islam. Mass graves of Yazidi people are still being uncovered. To make room for the 380 square kilometre dam, the residents of Khanki and 75 other villages were forcibly removed. They built a new village and a replica of the shrine in a new area.