Speaking during a high-level meeting in Baghdad on Saturday with Patriarch Mar Paulos III Nona, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church of Babylon, and an accompanying delegation, Prime Minister Zaidi pledged comprehensive state support. The government, he said, aims to create reliable pathways for Assyrian families and international investors to safely return to their ancestral hometowns across Iraq.
"The return of Christians who were forced to leave the country due to the difficult circumstances Iraq has endured is a national and government priority," Zaidi stated in an official release from the prime minister's office.
Patriarch Mar Paulos III Nona welcomed the Prime Minister’s declaration. He emphasized that the government's commitments send "an important message" that could boost confidence among Assyrians in the diaspora and encourage them to return and invest in the country’s future stability.
Iraq’s Assyrian community has endured severe hardship over the past twenty years. Following the 2003 US-led invasion, widespread sectarian conflict drove many to flee. The deepest trauma, however, came in August 2014 with the onslaught of the Islamic State (ISIS).
Today, fewer than 300,000 Assyrians are estimated to remain in Iraq, down from a population that once exceeded one million.
In his address, Zaidi specifically called on Assyrian business leaders and investors abroad to take an active role in Iraqs ongoing reconstruction. He highlighted critical opportunities across various development sectors, with a particular focus on healthcare and education.
To facilitate this economic reintegration, the Prime Minister pledged robust administrative and financial support from the state. "The government will provide all forms of support to ensure the success of their projects, strengthen their contribution to economic development, and create employment opportunities," Zaidi added.
Church representatives said Assyrian entrepreneurs are ready to engage in rebuilding efforts, provided that real security and political guarantees are in place.
