Islamic State Terror: The Lost City of Sinjar

Soldiers say buildings were destroyed by IS bombs and fires, as well as coalition airstrikes, in Sinjar, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2016. (H.Murdock/VOA)

Once home to roughly 80,000 people and a traditional homeland for the Yazidi people, Sinjar, Iraq, lies in ruins and thousands are buried in mass graves outside the city. Nov. 14, 2016. (H.Murdock/VOA)

On a base overlooking IS-controlled territories, soldiers seat a dummy, hoping to draw first fire to it if IS attacks, Nov. 14, 2016. (H.Murdock/VOA)

Former Islamic State firing positions are among the buildings still standing in Sinjar, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2016. (H.Murdock/VOA)

Soldiers in Sinjar, Iraq, say suicide bombs inside cars are one of IS militants' most common attack styles. Nov. 14, 2016. (H.Murdock/VOA)

Peshmerga forces hold the line near Sinjar, Iraq, from IS forces that only a month ago were operating full-scale assaults, Nov. 14, 2016. (H.Murdock/VOA)

Only 30 families have returned to Sinjar, Iraq, since peshmerga soldiers captured the city a year ago. City services like running water and electricity are not available. Nov. 14, 2016. (H.Murdock/VOA)

Displaced people from the minority Yazidi sect, fleeing violence from forces loyal to the Islamic State in Sinjar town, walk toward the Syrian border on the outskirts of Sinjar mountain near the Syrian border town of Elierbeh of Al-Hasakah Governorate, Aug. 11, 2014.

A mass grave in Sinjar, Iraq, believed to contain the remains of Yazidi members massacred by IS two years ago, is seen after a fire broke out in early June, 2016.

Displaced people from the minority Yazidi sect, fleeing violence from forces loyal to the Islamic State in Sinjar town, walk towards the Syrian border, on the outskirts of Sinjar mountain, near the Syrian border town of Elierbeh of Al-Hasakah Governate, Aug. 10, 2014.