1. Yulduz Usmanova was born right before Uzbekistan became independent. In 2011, she left her village in Sirdarya for Russia to reunite with her husband. But after some time he sent the family to Waziristan, Pakistan. She was there w/ 3 children till 2014.

2. When Waziristan became unsafe, Yulduz says, they headed to Syria with other Uzbek families. "We walked for days and days, kids suffered." Husband never joined them. She believes he's in prison now somewhere in Russia. https://www.facebook.com/466059570136876/videos/797033607856815

3. Through Uzbekistan's Operation Mehr (Compassion), Yulduz returned to Uzbekistan in 2020, with 8 kids. 3 are stepchildren from 2nd husband, who she married in Syria. He was Uzbek, she says, his name was Bilol. He and his other wife died. Yulduz, 31, is raising their offspring.