# The Assyria Post > Independent coverage of Assyria and Assyrians worldwide Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### Independent news and stories about all things Assyrian URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/about/ Last updated: 2026-01-09T12:31:56.000Z **The Assyria Post** is an independent news publication launched in 2025 with the mission of providing unbiased news coverage of Assyrian issues – both in Assyria and across the diaspora. We aim to share stories that inspire, inform, enlighten, and move our readers. Through a mixture of fact-based analysis and opinion articles, the Post offers readers new perspectives and insights on a daily basis. Do you have an opinion piece to share, a news story to contribute, or a tip about something newsworthy? We’d love to hear from you. Subscribe today for full access to our website and to receive email newsletters with the latest content (we won't spam your inbox!). Membership is free, and only subscribers enjoy complete access to all articles. ## Editorial policy ### Mission The Assyria Post is an independent news platform dedicated to providing accurate, balanced, and timely coverage of issues affecting Assyrians in the Middle East and around the world. Our mission is to inform, connect, and empower the global Assyrian community by reporting on political, cultural, human rights, and diaspora developments with integrity and depth. ### Editorial Independence We maintain full editorial independence from political parties, religious institutions, and advocacy organizations. Editorial decisions are made solely by *The Assyria Post’s* editorial team and are guided by journalistic ethics, not by external influence or funding considerations. ### Accuracy and Verification We are committed to factual accuracy. All published material undergoes verification through multiple credible sources wherever possible. When we make mistakes, we correct them transparently and promptly, noting the update in the article. ### Fairness and Impartiality Our reporting strives to represent diverse perspectives within the Assyrian community and beyond. We aim to give all relevant parties the opportunity to respond before publication on matters of dispute or controversy. ### Transparency and Sources We protect confidential sources when necessary, following established journalistic standards. However, we avoid anonymous sourcing unless it is essential to the story and information cannot be obtained otherwise. Whenever possible, we identify sources and provide context for their perspectives. ### Editorial and Opinion Content *The Assyria Post* distinguishes between news (reported and verified facts) and opinion (commentary and analysis). Opinion pieces reflect the views of their authors and not necessarily those of the editorial board. All opinion contributors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. ### Corrections and Clarifications If readers identify factual inaccuracies, we encourage them to contact our editors at news@assyriapost.com. Corrections and clarifications are published openly and appended to the original article when necessary. ### Ethics and Responsibility We adhere to internationally recognized journalistic codes of conduct, including those of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). ### Use of AI and Automation We may use AI-assisted tools for research, transcription, or editing, but all editorial decisions, final writing, and fact-checking are carried out by human editors. No article is published without human oversight. ### Reader Engagement We welcome feedback, corrections, and contributions from readers. Constructive engagement is central to our mission of transparency and accountability. ### Contact us URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/contact-us/ Last updated: 2026-01-24T11:43:20.000Z Feel free to contact us with news tips, opinion article submissions, or inquiries about joining our team. We usually respond within 24 hours. Contact us at **news@assyriapost.com** Follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/assyriapost), [X](https://x.com/AssyriaPost?ref=assyriapost.com), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/assyriapost/?ref=assyriapost.com) and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/assyria-post/?ref=assyriapost.com). ### Follow us URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/follow-us/ Last updated: 2025-08-19T22:25:54.000Z Social media credentials coming soon... ### Work with us URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/work-with-us/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T23:21:15.000Z The Assyria Post welcomes individuals with an interest in Assyrian affairs to join our team and contribute on a regular or semi-regular basis. We are looking for people with at least basic journalistic experience who can help our team of editors and contributors to cover events and developments affecting Assyrians worldwide. Established or aspiring reporters, editors, photographers, social media wizards and developers are invited to contact us by email: news@assyriapost.com. ### Ads & Sponsorships URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ads-sponsorships/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T23:25:57.000Z The Assyria Post is open to collaboration with other Assyrian media outlets and organizations, as well as Assyrian- and non-Assyrian-owned businesses, including paid advertising partnerships. Do you have an idea you would like to discuss with us? Send us an email at news@assyriapost.com. ### Submissions URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/submissions/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T23:28:02.000Z **We welcome debate articles with ideas or new perspectives.** When we publish a text, it does not mean that we agree with the writer; it means that we consider the article to be of potential interest to an engaged public. The goal is to create a broad forum where opinions from different sides can be heard. **How the text should be written:** - The argumentation should be well-founded, and the text should be concrete in its reasoning. It should have a clear conclusion or call to action. - The text must be written exclusively for **The Assyria Post** and must not have been published previously. - The maximum text length is **4,500 characters including spaces**. - Please also include suggestions for relevant links that can be added to the text. **How we select texts:** - We choose texts based on news value. When reading a text, we ask ourselves: *Does the text contain news, a new idea, or does it correct a prevailing misconception?* - It can be an advantage if the text connects to the current agenda, but it is even better if it has the potential to set the agenda. Send your text to news@assyriapost.com ### Topics URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/topics/ Last updated: 2026-01-03T00:09:35.000Z _No content available._ ### banner-header URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/banner-header/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T23:24:53.000Z _No content available._ ### banner-footer URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/banner-footer/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T23:31:31.000Z _No content available._ ### banner-sidebar URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/banner-sidebar/ Last updated: 2026-01-04T10:51:25.000Z _No content available._ ### Featured URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/featured/ Last updated: 2026-01-11T16:25:13.000Z _No content available._ ## Posts ### Newly digitized archives shed new light on Assyrian life in 19th-century Urmia URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/newly-digitized-archives-shed-new-light-on-assyrian-life-in-19th-century-urmia/ Last updated: 2026-09-06T22:07:16.000Z Newly digitized archival materials are offering a rare and more detailed window into the lives of Assyrians in the Lake Urmia region of Assyria in northwestern Iran during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The materials form part of the Shedd Family Papers, a collection connected to the Presbyterian missionary presence in Urmia and to an Assyrian-Iranian family whose history was deeply intertwined with the region's schools, churches and wider community. The Presbyterian Historical Society [reported](https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/2026/8/27/newly-digitized-materials-paint-fuller-picture-19th-century-urmia-iran?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) on August 27 that the Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley, has completed the digitization of the original materials used in the traveling exhibition *Assyrians from Persia (Iran) to the United States, 1887–1923: Assyrian Education, American Missionaries, and the Search for a Home*. The materials are expected to be installed at Bancroft Library later this year. Among the most significant additions are approximately 200 letters and other correspondence, many of them written in Assyrian. Dr. Eden Naby Frye, an Assyrian-Iranian cultural historian who was instrumental in developing the collection and exhibition, described the digitization as potentially the first Assyrian collection of letters and diaries to be made universally accessible in digital form. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/09/edennaby.jpeg) Dr. Eden Naby Frye The collection is particularly valuable because much of the surviving historical documentation about Assyrians in the Urmia region was produced by foreign missionaries and other outside observers. The newly digitized correspondence provides a different perspective. Most of the approximately 200 letters are written in Assyrian, while around 30 were written by American missionaries. The letters date from the period immediately preceding and during the First World War, a critical era in the history of the Assyrian people of the region. The material documents aspects of education, family life, religious activity and migration, while also providing insight into the relationship between Assyrian communities and the American Presbyterian mission. The Shedd collection also contains a remarkable body of photographs taken by Louise Wilbur Shedd, the second wife of missionary William Ambrose Shedd. Her access to photographic equipment, and her position as a woman working in the region, allowed her to photograph people and families in ways that were not always possible for male missionaries. Her photographs document Assyrians, Armenians and Jews living in northwestern Persia before the upheavals of the First World War transformed the region through persecution, genocide and displacement. Among the images are photographs of villages, families, women and children, providing a visual record of communities that would be profoundly affected by the violence and mass displacement that followed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-06-at-23.55.10.png) Solomon brother of Mar Shimun. \[Photo may actually be of Ishai d'Mar Shimun.\]Photographer (pht): [Mirzojeff, Lazar.](https://digital.history.pcusa.org/taxonomy/term/2341?ref=assyriapost.com) 1891 (year approximate). [****Pearl Digital Collections**](https://digital.history.pcusa.org/?ref=assyriapost.com "Home")**Presbyterian Historical Society* ### The Shedd family's connection to Urmia The Presbyterian missionary John Haskell Shedd and his son, William Ambrose, served in Urmia from 1859 to 1918. Their papers contain observations, manuscripts and correspondence concerning the people and communities of the mountainous region around northwestern Persia. In 2023, Shedd descendants and historian Hooman Estelami published a previously unknown manuscript, *The Life of John Haskell Shedd*, discovered among family papers in 2020\. The newly digitized material expands that documentary record considerably. The Shedd Family Papers had previously consisted of approximately five cubic feet of records. During the period when the Presbyterian Historical Society hosted the Assyrian exhibition in 2024, descendants of the Shedd family donated additional boxes of material to the collection. Those donations included photographs, correspondence, journals and other documents that help reconstruct the experiences of Assyrians in the Urmia region and their connections to the United States. The significance of the digitization is that researchers and members of the Assyrian community will not need to travel to California to consult much of this material. The digitized Assyrian traveling exhibition materials are already [available online](https://digicoll.lib.berkeley.edu/search?ln=en&p=collection%3A%27Joseph%20David%20Joseph%20correspondence%20and%20journals%27&f=&rm=&sf=title&so=a&rg=10&c=Digital%20Collections&of=hb&fti=0&fct%5F%5F2=Joseph%20David%20Joseph%20correspondence%20and%20journals&fti=0WgPNUZFE%3D&reserved=0&ref=assyriapost.com), while the Shedd Family Papers are being made accessible through the Presbyterian Historical Society's digital collections. The physical materials are scheduled for installation at Berkeley's Bancroft Library later in 2026\. ### Remembering Evin Agassi almost two years after his passing URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/remembering-evin-agassi-almost-two-years-after-his-passing/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T22:10:16.000Z Born in Kermanshah, Iran, on September 25, 1945, Evin Agassi discovered his love for music at a young age. Raised in an Assyrian family that cherished its cultural heritage, he made his first recordings in Persian for Iranian national radio as a teenager. His professional Assyrian career began in 1967 and quickly established him as a rising star. Blending traditional Mesopotamian melodies with modern instrumentation, Agassi introduced a contemporary sound that resonated deeply with urban Assyrian youth while honoring ancient traditions. In the mid-1970s, Agassi made the life-changing decision to emigrate to the United States due to the political conditions in Iran, eventually settling in California, home to a prominent Assyrian community. What set Evin Agassi apart was his enormous and unwavering love for the Assyrian homeland. That love was audible in every song and is a central reason why he was deeply beloved by all Assyrians, regardless of church, dialect, or origin. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-05-at-00.01.51-1.png) A young Evin Agassi playing the guitar, circa 1981\. Photo: Shamiram Media Though he sang primarily in Eastern Assyrian, his music transcended linguistic boundaries. He was immensely popular also among Assyrians who speak Western Assyrian. In the diaspora communities of Sweden and Germany, his songs were as present as in those of Eastern Assyrian speakers from Urmia and Iraq. His music proved that the Assyrian nation is one, united by shared history and longing for home. Agassi's musical career spanned over 50 years, from 1967 to 2024, and yielded more than 40 albums - 36 studio albums, 7 EPs and over 270 songs, with the majority released in the 1980s and 1990s. His last album, *Ghasreh*, was released in 2023. A defining element of his music was his partnership with his brother, Givergis Agassi, who wrote many of his most powerful lyrics in both Persian and Assyrian. Together, they crafted songs that addressed not only love and celebration, but also political struggle, exile, national pride, and the historical heartbreaks of the Assyrian people. Possessing distinctive spinto-tenor vocals, Agassi fused his art with cultural resistance. Some of his songs, like *"Shamiram", "Khazadeh", "Sniqa" and "Awara":* became anthems across generations. Among his most famous songs are also "Habbania" (1984), "Soodra Preta" (1984) and "Khabur" (1991). [Evin Agassi - Khazade (Assyrian Lyrics + English Translation)Bekijk je favoriete video’s, luister naar de muziek die je leuk vindt, upload originele content en deel alles met vrienden, familie en anderen op YouTube.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon_144x144-e570a94c-c7e8-48c2-992b-7fce8c3b9efb.png)YouTubeQrawtana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/hqdefault-039245c5-28dc-48c3-8dd7-f8ecc90bfd33.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thnBqdd47EI&list=RDthnBqdd47EI&start%5Fradio=1&ref=assyriapost.com) Agassi helped popularize the integration of brass sections, synthesizers, and modern western pop beats into traditional 6/8 and 2/4 Middle Eastern rhythms, with inspiration from Persian pop and later Latin pop. For families displaced across Europe, North America, and Australia, Agassi's music provided a shared soundtrack that kept their language and heritage alive in diaspora homes. Beyond the studio, Agassi spent decades touring globally - from Chicago and Modesto to Sydney, Stockholm, England, Germany, France, Austria, Holland, Russia, Syria, Iran and northern Iraq - drawing massive crowds and uniting dispersed communities under one roof. In July 2024, the Agassi family shared that Evin Agassi had been diagnosed with an inoperable malignant tumor in the left frontal lobe of his brain. He passed away peacefully on September 17, 2024, in Modesto, California, at the age of 78. When he passed, tributes poured in from international cultural organizations and community leaders worldwide. Today, almost two years later, his songs remain staple anthems at weddings, cultural festivals, and quiet moments of reflection. ### Aydin Bet-Naqshe's calling - to bring a forgotten literary heritage to light URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/aydin-bet-naqshes-calling-bringing-a-forgotten-assyrian-literary-heritage-to-light/ Last updated: 2026-09-06T22:40:56.000Z Meet the man who has invested countless hours translating forgotten Assyrian magazines issued more than a century ago, and in the process discovered the thoughts and developments that continue to shape the Assyrian nation today. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Qamishli at 100: The Assyrian foundations of a refugee city URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/qamishli-at-100-the-assyrian-foundations-of-a-refugee-city/ Last updated: 2026-08-30T20:58:34.000Z This August the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli marked a remarkable milestone: 100 years since its official establishment in 1926. Known to Assyrians as Beth Zalin, Qamishli was not an ancient city that gradually expanded over centuries. Its modern history began in the turbulent aftermath of the First World War, when the borders of the Middle East were redrawn and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced by war, massacres and persecution. Among those seeking refuge were thousands of Assyrians who had survived the destruction of their communities in the Ottoman Empire. It was these refugees who would become central to the creation and development of modern Qamishli. The modern city emerged under the French Mandate for Syria during the 1920s. The establishment of the new Turkish-Syrian border had fundamentally altered the geography of the region. Historic centres such as Nusaybin, which had long been economically and socially connected to the surrounding Gozarto region (Jazira), were now on the Turkish side of the border. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-30-at-22.58.08.png) On August 20, 1926, the French established a post near Qaddour Bek, marking the decisive beginning of modern Qamishli. Contemporary centenary accounts identify this date as the city's official founding. But the people who would transform the new settlement into a city had begun arriving earlier. Assyrian refugees from historic communities in areas including Tur Abdin, Omid (Diyarbakir), Hakkari and other parts of the Ottoman Empire were among those who settled in the Gozarto region after the First World War. For many, Qamishli represented something extraordinary: a chance to rebuild after losing their ancestral homes. The settlement that emerged along the Jaghjagh River became known among the Assyrians as Beth Zalin, a name that remains deeply embedded in Assyrian memory. The name itself means place of reeds, and Qamishli is merely the Turkish version of the exact meaning. Historical accounts describe Qamishli as having been established by Assyrians fleeing the violence and destruction of the Ottoman period and Assyrians were among the city's principal early populations and played an especially important role in turning the new settlement into a functioning urban centre. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/Qamishli_1964.jpg) A photo of the city from 1964\. ## From refugee settlement to city The early Qamishli was a very different place from the city visible today. In 1926, the settlement consisted largely of simple buildings surrounded by agricultural land. Recent centenary material depicts the early town as a small settlement of mud-brick houses before its rapid transformation into an urban centre. The arrival of refugees, however, brought people with skills, experience and a determination to rebuild. Assyrians established homes, farms, businesses, churches, schools and community institutions. They cultivated the surrounding land and became deeply involved in the agricultural economy that would eventually make the Jazira one of Syria's most important agricultural regions. Among the most prominent Assyrian figures in the city's early economic history were Masoud Asfar and his stepbrother Najjar. The two established the Asfar & Najjar company, which became heavily involved in wheat production and agricultural commerce. The enterprise played a major role in the development of the young city and, according to historical accounts, helped finance hospitals, schools and churches during the 1920s through the 1940s. This is one of the clearest examples of the Assyrian contribution to Qamishli's transformation. The refugees had arrived with little, but within a generation Assyrian entrepreneurs were helping build the economic infrastructure of a new city. Qamishli's development accelerated further with the arrival of the railway around1928\. The railway connected the young city to wider commercial networks and enabled agricultural products and other goods to move more efficiently through the region. Qamishli's location near the Turkish border and its connection to the railway made it increasingly important as a commercial centre. The town grew around its markets, agricultural trade and emerging neighbourhoods. Schools, churches, shops and workshops followed. The refugee settlement was becoming a city. Perhaps the most important aspect of Qamishli's early history is the transformation of its Assyrian population from refugees into city-builders. They did not merely settle in an already-established urban environment. They helped create the environment itself. Assyrian families established businesses and agricultural enterprises. Churches became centres of community life. Schools provided education to a new generation born in exile. Associations created networks of social support. The result was a vibrant Assyrian urban community that became one of the defining features of early Qamishli. Accounts of the city's development identify Assyrians as particularly important in agriculture, commerce, education and industry. Recent centenary reporting likewise notes the longstanding involvement of the Assyrian community in industries and professions including blacksmithing, textile trading and jewellery. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/784183058_1376898144580786_6149963915878361198_n.png.jpeg) Undated photo from a street in Qamishli. ## A changing city While Assyrians made up the principal population who settled the new city and were instrumental in its early economic, agricultural, educational and religious development, Armenians, Jews, Kurds and Arabs also played important roles in the city's subsequent development. Qamishli continued to grow throughout the 20th century, but its demographic balance changed considerably. The Jewish community gradually declined as families left Syria in successive waves. Assyrians and Armenians also experienced significant emigration over the decades. At the same time, Kurdish and Arab populations became increasingly prominent in the city and surrounding region. Political developments under the Syrian state also profoundly affected the Jazira. Policies concerning land, citizenship, settlement and demographic organization changed the social landscape of northeastern Syria. By the beginning of the 21st century, Qamishli was considerably different from the city established in 1926. That is precisely what makes Qamishli's history so remarkable. It is a city born from one of the most turbulent periods in modern Middle Eastern history, built by people whose own histories were shaped by displacement, and transformed into a diverse urban centre through the work of successive generations. ### A look into Assyrian church hierarchy URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/a-look-into-assyrian-church-hierarchy/ Last updated: 2026-08-28T21:14:18.000Z One of these rites is the Syriac Orthodox Church, with a hierarchy functioning not only as a religious structure but as a pillar of Assyrian national continuity. The Church maintains its own ancient system of orders, rooted in apostolic tradition. At the top stands the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. The current office holder, Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, resides in Damascus. The tradition of taking the name Ignatius upon enthronement began in 1293 with Mor Ignatius Bar Wahib, Patriarch of Mardin, in honor of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the first-century martyr. Since the reunification of the Patriarchate in the 15th century, it has been observed continuously by all Patriarchs. Directly linked to the Patriarch's history is the title of Maphrian, also called Catholicos of the East. From the 6th century, the Maphrian was the head of the Syriac Orthodox Church inside the Persian Empire of the Sasanians, mainly around Tikrit and Mosul. His seat was in Tikrit until 1089, later moving to Mosul and the Monastery of Mar Mattai. The office in the East ended with the death of its last holder, Mor Baselius Behnam IV, who served from 1839 to 1859\. The Maphrianate was formally abolished in 1860 at the Synod of Deir al-Zafaran under Patriarch Mor Ignatius Jacob II, as the drastically reduced Assyrian Christian population no longer warranted it. The title was revived in the 20th century for the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Church in India. Today it survives as an honorific title, held by the Catholicos of India. ### Three levels Below the Patriarchal level, the church is organized into three major holy orders. **The Diaconate – Mshamshono:** It begins with minor orders, often conferred on youths: Singer (Mzamrono), Reader (Qoruyo), and Subdeacon (Afudyaqno), who wears the orarion (stola) wrapped around the waist or shoulder. The full Deacon (Mshamshono) may read the Gospel, handle incense, and distribute Holy Communion. At the top of this order is the Archdeacon, the bishop's chief assistant for liturgy and administration. **The Priesthood – Kahno:** The parish priest is called Qashisho, addressed as Abuna (Father). A crucial rule: he must be married before ordination. After ordination, he cannot marry. Above the parish priests are senior clerical ranks: the Periodet (an inspector or visitor of rural parishes) and the Chorepiscopus (archpriest/district administrator). Alongside the married parish clergy are the Rabans (monk-priests). Unlike parish priests, Rabans live under monastic vows and remain celibate; they often serve as monastery heads, scholars, or educators, and form the pool from which bishops are chosen. **The Episcopate – Episkopo (Hasyutho):** All bishops must be monks and celibate. The ranks ascend from Bishop, who leads a diocese, to Archbishop or Metropolitan, to Maphrian, and finally to the Patriarch. The system underscores the centrality of monasticism. Many bishops are drawn from historic institutions such as the Mor Gabriel Monastery in Tur Abdin, the spiritual heartland of the Syriac Orthodox Assyrians and a symbol of endurance for the entire Assyrian nation. Unlike the Catholic Church, there are no cardinals; governance is exercised by the Holy Synod under the presidency of the Patriarch. The structure preserves apostolic continuity while maintaining the ancient Assyrian tradition that distinguishes married parish clergy from the celibate monastic episcopate. ### A discussion on academic erasure of Assyrian history URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/a-discussion-on-academic-erasure-of-assyrian-history/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T20:38:58.000Z For decades, the standard historical narrative of the modern Middle East has been dominated by nation-state formation, pan-Arabism, and big-power geopolitics. Yet, embedded within this history is a glaring omission: the ongoing marginalization and erasure of the Assyrian people. In a panel discussion hosted by the *Assyrian Studies Association on 31 July 2026*, historians Dr. Arbella Bet-Shlimon and Dr. Mariam Georgis took aim at how academia treats minority populations, genocide, and ethnic nationalism in the Middle East.The discussion centered on Dr. Bet-Shlimon’s recent publication in the *Review of Middle East Studies*, titled *"'Propaganda of the Victims': Atrocity Denial, Ethnic Nationalism, and the Disparagement of Assyrians in Middle East Studies."* A focal point of the conversation was the aftermath of the 1915 Ottoman genocide–known to Assyrians as the *Seyfo* ("The Sword")–in which hundreds of thousands of Assyrians, alongside Armenians and Greeks, were systematically exterminated. Dr. Bet-Shlimon outlined how early 20th-century atrocity denialism managed to bleed into mainstream modern scholarship. Rather than recognizing Assyrians as victims of targeted violence and displacement, scholars have historically minimized their plight or echoed rhetoric originally engineered by state perpetrators to justify persecution. *"Arguments originally favored by genocide deniers continue to be repeated, sometimes even by scholars who do not view themselves as genocide deniers,"* Bet-Shlimon noted during the discussion. Dr. Mariam Georgis highlighted how dominant political discourses reduced Assyrians from an indigenous nation with deep ancestral roots in Mesopotamia to a mere "religious minority" or an inconvenient footnote in regional history. By framing the Middle East strictly through the lens of post-colonial Arab, Turkish, or Persian nation-building, academia has implicitly participated in the erasure of non-dominant indigenous groups. Both scholars argued that true decolonization of Middle Eastern studies requires recognizing the continuous presence, rights, and struggles of Assyrians. Critiquing ethnic nationalism is a central tenet of modern history and political science. However, Dr. Bet-Shlimon warned of a dangerous trend: using critiques of nationalism to delegitimize the self-determination and political agency of persecuted indigenous groups. When academics dismiss Assyrian claims to identity or historical trauma as mere "ethnic nationalism" or "victim propaganda," they effectively strip vulnerable groups of their historical narrative while shielding dominant regional powers from accountability. The panelists concluded that rigorous historical inquiry must hold itself to higher standards, one that critically examines state narratives, confronts genocide denial, and fully integrates the voices of indigenous peoples like the Assyrians into the broader history of the region. [Erasure in plain sight: Assyrians and academic biasFor decades, the field of Middle East studies has prided itself on decolonizing narratives and giving voice to the oppressed. However, a groundbreaking article by Dr. Arbella Bet-Shlimon in the Review of Middle East Studies shows how Assyrians have been systematically left behind.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-64df17ac-df55-4d9b-ae21-4c5851f7001a.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Arbella-cover-ecb7fd9c-f92f-43db-950e-223e9ffe53de.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/erasure-in-plain-sight-assyrians-and-academic-bias/) ### Assyrian cookbook with ancient recipes launches to huge response URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ancient-assyrian-recipes-return-in-a-cookbook-released-to-global-fanfare-2/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T21:52:28.000Z The campaign launched on August 22, following Hawsho’s presentation in Stockholm, where hundreds of fans attended in person while tens of thousands more followed the event online from around the world. The overwhelming demand reportedly caused the [Kickstarter campaign page](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arimhawsho/table-of-gods?ref=1gtyzs) to temporarily crash shortly after launch before being restored. The campaign has already exceeded $1.3 million against its $1 million goal. The response is the latest milestone in a seven-year project that seeks to bring the food, history and culture of ancient Mesopotamia, and particularly ancient Assyria, to a modern global audience. Before the launch, Hawsho had built an enormous following around the project, with more than 1.1 million followers across social media and a waitlist that had reached more than 200,000 people. His website reported more than 204,000 people on the waitlist shortly before the campaign launched. [Table of Gods Book Launch (Live)Bekijk je favoriete video’s, luister naar de muziek die je leuk vindt, upload originele content en deel alles met vrienden, familie en anderen op YouTube.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon_144x144-b46164c3-20e3-4a50-9297-d64ae0cd5709.png)YouTubeTable of Gods![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/hqdefault-873d0c96-f808-409f-b4ff-76e3c73410ff.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCyklpg--7E&ref=assyriapost.com) ### Seven years in the making In 2019, Hawsho left his full-time job to dedicate himself to researching and recreating the culinary traditions of ancient Mesopotamia. At the heart of [*Table of Gods*](https://www.tableofgods.com/?ref=assyriapost.com) is Hawsho’s personal connection to his heritage. His parents originate from the historic Assyrian region of Tur Abdin, specifically the ancient city of Midyat. The project began when he discovered the pioneering work of French Assyriologist Jean Bottéro, who translated a collection of Babylonian culinary recipes recorded on clay tablets dating to around 1700 BC. But translating the ancient texts was only the beginning. The scribes who recorded the recipes were writing for experienced cooks in royal kitchens. Ingredients were often listed without the precise quantities, measurements or cooking times expected by a modern cookbook. Hawsho therefore spent years combining Assyriology, archaeology, food history and modern culinary practice to turn the ancient instructions into recipes that can actually be prepared today. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-24-at-23.50.24.png) A photo of the pomegranate cake, one of the recipes in the book. According to the project, Hawsho studied hundreds of academic sources on Mesopotamian agriculture and diet and worked with Assyriologists and culinary experts, including Dr. Eckart Frahm of Yale University and Dr. Simo Parpola, Professor Emeritus of Assyriology at the University of Helsinki. He also collaborated with professional chefs, including Fredrik Eriksson, gastronomic advisor to the Nobel Banquet at Stockholm City Hall, and tested the recipes with hundreds of beta testers. His research also took him across the historic Assyrian homeland, including Tur Abdin, the ancient city of Ashur and Assyrian villages in northern Iraq, in an effort to trace culinary traditions and techniques that have survived into the modern era. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/782326037_18621041845035051_6757079949060197267_n.jpg) Arim Hawsho on stage during the release event held on 22 August 2026 in Stockholm. Photo: Table of Gods. ### From ancient tablets to 70 recipes The finished book contains 70 recipes, including 42 vegetarian dishes and 13 vegan recipes, as well as eight recipes for ancient beers and wines. It includes approximately 100 pages of food photography and is designed as much as a historical journey as it is a cookbook. Readers are taken on a culinary journey through 11 ancient Mesopotamian cities, moving from the early settlements of Sumer to the great centers of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. The dishes range from humble porridges and date-based pastries to elaborate meat broths and roasted dishes associated with elite and royal dining. The book places these foods within the broader historical world in which they were consumed, connecting recipes to ancient cities, rulers, myths and everyday life. Among the historical settings explored are Ashur, Nineveh, Nimrud (Kalhu), Babylon, Ur, Uruk, Eridu and Lagash. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-24-at-23.30.45.png) Mockup of the book. ### Designed like an ancient artifact Hawsho has extended the Mesopotamian theme beyond the recipes and into the physical design of the book itself. The approximately 550-page premium hardcover is designed to evoke the tactile quality of an ancient clay tablet. Its cover features deeply debossed cuneiform, while the back cover incorporates a playable version of the ancient Royal Game of Ur, one of the world's oldest known board games. Kickstarter orders include the game's pieces so that the book itself can be transformed into a game board. The project also includes extensive photography intended to recreate the atmosphere of ancient Mesopotamia. The official project website explains that the book was developed with photographers, food stylists and other creative collaborators, with 93 photographs forming part of the final work. Each recipe is accompanied by historical context, allowing readers to move between food, mythology, archaeology and the political history of Mesopotamia. In this sense, *Table of Gods* occupies an unusual space: part cookbook, part historical chronicle and part art object. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-24-at-23.33.07.png) Photo shoot of the making of the ancient Assyrian dish Gubibate, still made today by Assyrians. Photo: Table of Gods ### An Assyrian story with a global audience By tracing food traditions across ancient texts and the modern Assyrian homeland, *Table of Gods* presents ancient cuisine not simply as something belonging to a distant civilization, but as part of a cultural continuum that can still be explored through food, language, geography and tradition. That connection has resonated strongly with audiences far beyond the Assyrian community. The project has received endorsements from scholars and historians including Frahm, Parpola, University of Padua Assyriologist Dr. Salvatore Gaspa, culinary historian and James Beard Award-winning author Michael W. Twitty, and Near Eastern archaeologist Dr. William (Brad) Hafford. The campaign's extraordinary first days suggest that Hawsho's attempt to connect the modern world with the kitchens of ancient Mesopotamia has found an audience well beyond the traditional readership of Assyrian history and Assyriology. *Table of Gods* is currently [available through Kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arimhawsho/table-of-gods?ref=1gtyzs). The standard First Edition is priced at $199, while a signed edition by Arim Hawsho is available for $249\. The signed edition is planned for delivery before Christmas 2026, while the standard edition is estimated for delivery in February 2027. [Table of Gods brings ancient Assyrian flavours to lifeArim Hawsho’s obsession with ancient Assyrian cooking has taken him across different corners of Assyria – and soon, it will make him the author of a truly unique book.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-275b4018-c356-416f-88ca-76af0a1b5e27.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-19.38.47-661fa6a5-df7e-4706-b642-7c5c5bc15b2d.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/table-of-gods-brings-ancient-assyrian-flavours-to-life/) ### Evan Yako’s Four Corners of the World brings Assyrian music to the Sydney Opera House URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/evan-yakos-four-corners-of-the-world-brings-assyrian-music-to-sydneys-opera-house/ Last updated: 2026-08-25T02:14:53.000Z The concert will officially launch Yako’s new album, *Four Corners of the World*, featuring 10 original compositions and reimagined classical works. Performed by an eight-piece band with guest vocalists, the album draws on Yako’s Assyrian heritage and musical influences from around the world. Blending world fusion with jazz, the performance combines powerful rhythms, improvisation and musical storytelling, exploring the way music can connect people and cultures. The album follows a body of work through which Yako has incorporated Assyrian heritage and musical traditions into contemporary compositions. In an interview with SBS Assyrian in 2023, Yako described his earlier album *Inspirational Stories* as a collection of compositions inspired by refugees and migrants who endured trauma and hardship while attempting to reach Australia. The album featured legendary Assyrian artist Ashur Bet Sargis on track *I’m Sorry*, alongside Australian artist Jennifer Park. His 2024 album, *6774 Assyria Ave*, further explored the fusion of Assyrian and contemporary music, blending modern jazz with traditional Assyrian styles including *Raweh* – a traditional genre of Assyrian folk music and unaccompanied sung poetry characterised by emotional, echoing melodic chanting. The album featured artists including Lala Laressa, Jwanita Ashur, and Marlen Shukur, with bilingual interpretations of classics including Frank Sinatra’s *Fly Me to the Moon*, Nat King Cole’s *Autumn Leaves* and Judy Garland’s *Over the Rainbow*. The songs were performed partly in Assyrian and partly in English, bringing familiar classics to audiences through an Assyrian musical lens. Yako is also the founder of Real Rhythm Studio in Fairfield, Sydney, where he teaches and supports the development of emerging musicians. The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s most internationally recognised cultural landmarks and has hosted some of the world’s most celebrated artists and performers, including Luciano Pavarotti, Elton John, Beyoncé, Adele and Yo-Yo Ma. Performing at the Opera House is a significant achievement for any Australian artist, making Yako’s return to the venue an important moment for Assyrian representation on one of the country’s most prestigious stages. [Evan YakoEvan Yako is an Assyrian Australian drummer, composer and bandleader returning to the Sydney Opera House for his third major concert after two previous sold out performances.This concert marks the official launch of his new album, Four Corners of the World, featuring 10 tracks of original compositions and reimagined classical works arranged by Evan.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-96x96-ee129df1-a33b-42d6-8201-43c0835629c0.png)Sydney Opera House![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/EvanYako_IMG_1620-4ce2062e-a0f5-452b-abed-9c62f963d325.jpeg)](https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/contemporary-music/evan-yako-four-corners-world?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Assyrian church in Germany before court over unpaid works URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-church-in-germany-before-court-over-unpaid-works/ Last updated: 2026-08-19T21:09:31.000Z The case concerns the construction of the Syriac Orthodox Church of St. George in Ahlen, a major building project completed approximately four years ago at a reported cost of around €4 million. The church complex includes a community hall and residential accommodations for church personnel and serves members of the Assyrian community living across the wider Ostwestfalen region. According to a [report](https://www1.wdr.de/nrw/muensterland/kreis-warendorf/ahlen-kirchenbau-aerger-syrisch-orthodox-100.html?ref=assyriapost.com) by Germany's WDR, the carpentry company Fuchs und Schwalbe was contracted to provide and install windows, doors, shutters and other woodwork for the project. The company says it supplied approximately 150 windows and carried out extensive installation work. Wilfried Probst, a representative of the company, told WDR that the firm initially undertook the work enthusiastically and at what he described as favorable, almost “friendship” prices. However, he claims that while approximately 75 percent of the material costs were eventually paid, payments for installation work were delayed or remained unpaid. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/Ahlen-.png) The dispute appears to have developed amid problems during the construction of the church. According to Probst, measurements in the masonry did not correspond to the original plans when the windows were being installed. The project also experienced a change of architect, and additional work was reportedly required. One point of contention involved the church's arched windows. Probst said the company was later told that some of the arches it had supplied were incorrect, requiring alterations to the surrounding masonry. Although the construction issues have since disappeared from view with the completion of the church, the disagreement over responsibility and payment has continued for several years. The St. George congregation disputes the allegations made by the carpentry company. In a written response to WDR, the congregation described the company's claims as “false allegations” that do not correspond to the facts. The church did not provide WDR with an interview but responded to a detailed written questionnaire regarding the dispute. The disagreement has reportedly involved repeated discussions between the company and the church leadership over the past four years. According to Probst, attempts to reach an agreement and conclude the matter without further escalation were unsuccessful. The dispute is now before the Münster Regional Court. A conciliation hearing failed to resolve the case, and the amount in dispute has reportedly risen to more than €200,000 when interest is included. A further court hearing is expected, although no new date had been announced in the WDR report published on August 18\. ## A significant Assyrian presence in Ahlen The legal dispute comes against the backdrop of a longstanding Assyrian presence in Ahlen. The Assyrian community has maintained close ties with the city and its Christian institutions for decades. The former Catholic Church of St. Gottfried was also used by the community beginning in the 1980s. As the community grew, the need for additional worship space eventually contributed to the construction and development of dedicated facilities. *This article is based on reporting by Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), published August 18, 2026\. The allegations described above remain disputed, and the court has not yet issued a final ruling.* [Matthias Harman becomes second mayor of Assyrian background in GermanyGerman-Assyrian Matthias Harman has been elected mayor of the town of Ahlen in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region - making him the second mayor in Germany with an Assyrian background.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-4d719212-2599-4821-9c54-61aeadece5a2.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Familie-Harman-Online-1-c70aec33-f919-4be6-bc1d-8c19d18d5a2c.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/matthias-harman-becomes-second-mayor-of-assyrian-background-in-germany/) ### A rare Assyrian manuscript finds a new home URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/a-rare-assyrian-manuscript-finds-a-new-home/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T20:23:28.000Z An Assyrian-American family recently donated a collection of rare books and historical materials to the Assyrian Cultural Foundation (ACF), including a historic Church of the East *Takhsa d’Raza*–the Order of the Liturgy–which the family believes may be nearly 400 years old. According to the DeKasha family, the *Takhsa* was brought to the United States in 1928 by their great-grandfather, Kasha Eshaya, when the family immigrated from the village of Mazra’a in the Hakkari region. It remained in the family and was passed down through generations, preserving a tangible connection to their ancestral village, priestly lineage, and Assyrian Christian heritage. The exact age and provenance of the manuscript have yet to be confirmed. Future research, dating, and authentication will be important in determining when and where the *Takhsa* was produced and in documenting the journey it took from the Assyrian communities of Hakkari to the United States, the ACF says in post on social media about the donation. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/772894696_37662732833375368_1661494911503257351_n.png.jpeg) The manuscript will now be preserved at the Ashurbanipal Library, the research and archival library of the Chicago based Assyrian Cultural Foundation. Named after Ashurbanipal, the renowned Assyrian king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire who established one of the ancient world’s most important collections of written texts at Nineveh, the library reflects a longstanding Assyrian tradition of preserving and transmitting knowledge. Today, the Ashurbanipal Library serves as an important repository for Assyrian books, manuscripts, publications, historical documents, photographs, and other materials documenting the history, culture, language, and heritage of the Assyrian people. Collections such as the DeKasha family donation help preserve not only written history, but also the personal stories and family connections that give those materials meaning. The preservation of manuscripts such as the *Takhsa d’Raza* is particularly significant. Church of the East liturgical manuscripts represent an important part of the written heritage of Assyrian Christian communities. Beyond their religious function, they can provide valuable insight into the communities, scribal traditions, languages, and historical circumstances in which they were produced and preserved. In recognition of the family's contribution, the Assyrian Cultural Foundation presented the DeKasha family with a Certificate of Appreciation for entrusting these materials to the Ashurbanipal Library. ### Assyrians in Sydney commemorate Martyrs Day with lectures and exhibition URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-in-sydney-commemorate-martyrs-day-with-lectures-and-exhibition/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T20:33:59.000Z The commemorations began on Friday, August 7, when The Young Assyrians, led by President Dennis Suro, hosted an Assyrian Genocide Lecture and Exhibition at the headquarters of the Assyrian National Council of Australia. The event brought together members of the Assyrian community as well as scholars and representatives of the Greek and Armenian communities. The evening examined the history and legacy of the Assyrian Genocide, including Seyfo in the Ottoman Empire and the Simele Massacre of 1933. Greek-Australian historian and author Dr. Themistocles Kritikakos delivered the keynote address, presenting his recently published book, *Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Genocide Recognition in Twenty-First Century Australia: Memory, Identity, and Cooperation*, published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2026. Drawing on his research, Dr. Kritikakos examined the enduring legacies of Seyfo and Simele and the ways in which the effects of genocide continue to shape subsequent generations through inherited stories, memories of traumatic experiences, and silence. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/Dr-Themistocles-Kritikakos-presenting-his-book.JPG) Dr. Themistocles Kritikakos presenting at the event. His presentation also explored how the Assyrian, Armenian, and Greek communities in Australia have remembered their respective experiences of genocide and pursued recognition through intercommunal cooperation.“Research and commemoration bring the experiences of survivors and their descendants to public attention and ensure that future generations inherit historical understanding rather than silence, fragmentation and erasure”, he said. The lecture further examined Australia's humanitarian response to survivors from the three communities during the First World War and its aftermath, highlighting the historical connections between the communities and Australia's role in assisting those affected by mass violence and displacement. Dr. Michelle Shamoell also presented on “The Intergenerational Trauma of Genocide and the Healing Process.” Her presentation examined the transmission of genocide-related trauma across generations, including discussion of epigenetics and the possibility that extreme historical trauma can leave biological effects across generations. She also addressed the Assyrian experience as a double diaspora, alongside questions of healing, resilience, and the ways communities can respond to inherited trauma. A central message of the event was the importance of ensuring that younger generations remain actively involved in preserving the history and memory of their communities. The Young Assyrians encouraged future generations of Assyrians, Armenians, and Greeks to contribute through academic research and publications while also becoming actively involved in advocacy for genocide recognition within Australian political and public life. The lectures were accompanied by a historical photographic exhibition documenting the genocides and massacres experienced by Assyrians, including Seyfo and Simele, and their enduring legacy. During the evening, Dr. Kritikakos was presented with an Honorary Recognition for his scholarship and contribution to research on the Assyrian, Armenian, and Greek Genocides. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/Photographic-Exhibition--1.jpg) Part of the Assyrian Genocide exhibition in Sydney. ### Martyrs Day commemoration The commemorative program continued on Sunday, August 9, with the official Assyrian Martyrs Day Commemoration at the Assyrian Genocide Monument in Western Sydney. The event was organized by the Assyrian National Council of Australia under the leadership of its President, Hermiz Shahen. Members of the Assyrian community gathered alongside representatives of the Armenian and Greek communities to honour the victims of Seyfo, the Simele Massacre, and the subsequent persecution suffered by Assyrians in Iraq and Syria. The ceremony also reflected on the broader history of persecution experienced by the Assyrian people and the importance of preserving their historical memory for future generations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/770869122_1546505197503367_5128686769732448105_n.jpg) Australian and Assyrian representatives at the ceremony. Photo: Assyrian National Council of Australia. Representatives from federal, state, and local governments attended the commemoration, alongside clergy, scholars, community leaders, and members of the Assyrian, Armenian, and Greek communities. The program featured addresses from politicians, Assyrian community leaders, clergy, scholars, and other invited speakers, focusing on remembrance, genocide recognition, and the preservation of Assyrian history. Dr. Kritikakos again addressed the gathering, reflecting on Seyfo and Simele, intergenerational trauma, collective memory, and the continuing pursuit of recognition in Australia. Greek-Australian historian and genocide recognition advocate Dr. Panayiotis Diamadis also spoke, focusing on the strategic importance of education as well as the history of Australian civic action and humanitarian relief. ### August 7, 2026 — Day of Remembrance for the Assyrian Martyrs: What Lies Behind This Date URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/august-7-2026-day-of-remembrance-for-the-assyrian-martyrs-what-lies-behind-this-date/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T20:25:13.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Over time, the date has come to serve as a day of remembrance not only for the victims of that tragedy but also for all Assyrians who have perished as a result of persecution, violence, and attempts to destroy their culture and identity. The Day of Remembrance for the Assyrian Martyrs falls on August 7 each year. In 2026, this date falls on a Friday. This is not a typical celebration, but a day of mourning, remembrance, and reflection on the history of the Assyrian people. Assyrians also refer to this day as Martyrs’ Day or Remembrance Day. It is observed by members of the community not only in the Middle East but also in countries where a large Assyrian diaspora lives today. Memorial events have been held over the years in the United States, Canada, European countries, Iraq, and other nations." Read the full story: [August 7, 2026 — Day of Remembrance for the Assyrian Martyrs: What Lies Behind This DateOn August 7, Assyrians around the world commemorate the martyrs. Find out what happened in Simele in 1933, why this date has become a symbol of mourning, and how memorial events are held today.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-72f49687-60a2-43a7-9337-92ab66c6dccf.ico)UA.NEWSЄлизавета Баздирєва![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/assyrian_genocide_memorial_bonnyrig_sydney-e345d555-6a5b-4c9b-9b70-25b9a9b12464.webp)](https://ua.news/en/world/7-serpnia-den-pamiati-assiriiskikh-muchenikiv-shcho-stoyit-za-tsiieiu-datoiu?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Assyrians encouraged to participate in Australian census URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-encouraged-to-participate-in-australian-census/ Last updated: 2026-08-08T13:49:50.000Z The Australian Census is conducted every five years and provides the government with information about Australia's population, communities, languages, and ancestry. The data helps inform decisions on funding, education, language preservation, multicultural services, healthcare, community programs, and future government policy. For Australia's Assyrian community, organizations are emphasizing that participation in the Census is an important opportunity to ensure the community is accurately represented. By identifying as Assyrian under ancestry and accurately recording the language spoken at home, Assyrians can help establish a clearer picture of the size and geographic distribution of the community across Australia. "Every response matters," Assyrian community organizations have emphasized in encouraging participation. "This data plays an important role in informing decisions on funding, education, language preservation, multicultural services, health care, community programs and future policy", The Young Assyrians wrote in social media post. [The Young AssyriansOn 11 August, every Australian will take part in the 2026 Australian Census. The Census is one of the most important national surveys, helping governments understand who lives in Australia, where…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/ay1hV6OlegS-cc1bed8b-c70c-4459-a01e-9c3728d1e589.ico)The Young Assyrians![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/757639864_1822332835405830_4023759354832244151_n-517c585a-d1ce-4ded-a335-2cab7fd61010.png)](https://www.facebook.com/TheYoungAssyrians/posts/pfbid02eNeoNYabLjwdzNpBwBmby8GZpAurX1xnR4fWfxqyKy7NAgFtXkaUnjC32myVT9sNl) ### Census data shows significant growth The latest available Census figures highlight the importance of accurate participation. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data from the 2021 Census, Australia's population stood at 25 million with more than 60,000 people reporting Assyrian as the language spoken at home. The figures point to a growing Assyrian speaking population in Australia and provide important data for community organizations advocating for language, cultural, educational, and social services. ### Protest in Tel Keppe over attempted demographic change URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/protest-in-tel-keppe-over-demographic-change/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T21:52:23.000Z The protest, led by the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ZOWAA), took place outside the Tel Keppe District Administration building after the parties had formally notified the authorities in accordance with Iraqi law. Organizers accused local authorities of obstructing the peaceful demonstration by preventing participants from entering the town. The demonstration marked the latest stage in a campaign by the three parties opposing land distribution policies in the Nineveh Plains, which they argue threaten the demographic balance of the Assyrian town. The protest centered on longstanding disputes over land ownership in Tel Keppe and other parts of the Nineveh Plains. The three parties argue that land distribution measures and administrative decisions rooted in policies introduced under Iraq's former Baathist regime continue to undermine the constitutional rights of indigenous residents despite the fall of Saddam Hussein's government. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-05-at-23.50.17.png) According to the organizers, these policies have contributed to demographic change in historically Assyrian areas and threaten the long-term presence of the community in its ancestral homeland. The demonstration follows weeks of growing criticism by Assyrian organizations over land distribution procedures in Tel Keppe. The three parties argue that the measures violate Article 23 of Iraq's Constitution, which prohibits property ownership intended to alter the demographic composition of an area. The protest comes one week after the three parties submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi and Nineveh Governor Abdul Qader Al-Dakhil urging them to halt ongoing land distribution measures in the district. The memorandum argued that the policies violate both the Iraqi Constitution and existing property laws and warned that they risk altering the demographic composition of one of Iraq's historic Assyrian heartlands. ### From recognition to relevance: why the Assyrian cause needs a strategic turn URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/from-ecognition-to-relevance-why-the-assyrian-cause-needs-a-strategic-turn/ Last updated: 2026-08-02T09:00:09.000Z For more than three decades, Assyrian political advocacy has been remarkably consistent in the language it speaks. Whether addressing the United Nations, Western governments, churches or human rights organizations, the message has revolved around a set of compelling and entirely legitimate claims: the Assyrians are an indigenous people; they survived genocide; they continue to face persecution; they represent one of humanity's oldest living civilizations; and they deserve protection, recognition and the right to self-governance in their ancestral homeland. Over the years, they have also achieved something significant. Today, few serious observers dispute the indigenous status of the Assyrian people or the scale of the historical injustices committed against them. Recognition of Seyfo has steadily expanded. The destruction of Christian communities in Iraq and Syria has been widely documented. Minority protection and religious freedom have become established themes in international discussions about the Middle East. Yet despite this growing recognition, one political objective has remained elusive: a territorially anchored Assyrian administrative region in the Nineveh Plain. This should force us to ask an uncomfortable question. **If the moral legitimacy of the Assyrian cause is increasingly acknowledged, why has it not translated into political reality?** The answer may not lie in the strength of the Assyrian case itself, but in the changing nature of geopolitics itself. ### **Recognition is not strategy** The post-Cold War era created a political environment in which international legitimacy often flowed through the language of universal values. Human rights, minority protection, indigenous recognition and international law became the principal vocabulary through which stateless peoples sought political support. The Assyrian movement adapted successfully to that environment. But while this strategy generated sympathy, it rarely generated institutions. The international community may recognize historical injustice, but governments rarely reorganize territories because injustice has been acknowledged. They do so when institutional change advances broader strategic interests. But moral legitimacy alone has proven insufficient to produce the political outcome successive generations have pursued. The challenge, therefore, is not to abandon the language of rights. It is to become equally fluent in another language: the language of statecraft. ### **A different Middle East is emerging** A series of recent analyses published by [*The National Context*](https://thenationalcontext.com/the-kurdish-layer-in-washingtons-iraq-syria-turkey-design/?ref=assyriapost.com) offers an intriguing explanation for what may be unfolding across the Middle East. Whether one agrees entirely with its conclusions or not, the framework deserves serious consideration because it identifies a broader pattern. Its central argument is deceptively simple: the organizing principles of the Middle East are changing. For decades, regional politics revolved around competing nationalist projects. The dominant questions were territorial: Who should control which land? Which nation would emerge stronger? Could stateless peoples eventually achieve statehood? Today, a different logic appears to be taking shape. Increasingly, regional and international powers seem less interested in supporting large nationalist projects than in stabilizing strategically important territories within existing states. The question is no longer simply *who* governs a territory, but *what function does that territory perform?* This represents a profound shift. Territories are increasingly evaluated according to the contribution they make to regional stability, economic integration, infrastructure, energy security and governance. Identity still matters, but function increasingly shapes policy. These are becoming the organizing concepts of regional policy. If this diagnosis is correct, then it represents more than a change in policy. It represents a change in geopolitical grammar. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/20130521-UN-Assyrian-Aid-Society-1.jpg) Representatives from the Assyrian Aid Society at the United Nations in 2013\. ### **The Kurdish example** The Kurdish question offers perhaps the clearest example of this transformation. For decades, policymakers tended to speak about "the Kurdish question" as though it represented a single geopolitical project stretching across Türkiye, Iraq, Syria and Iran. Supporters envisioned a unified national movement. Opponents often viewed it as a single security threat. Although Kurdish politics was always more complex than this, the dominant strategic assumption treated "the Kurds" as one geopolitical file. Recent analyses suggest that this assumption no longer reflects how regional and international powers approach the issue. Increasingly, Washington, Ankara, Baghdad and Damascus appear to differentiate between Kurdish-administered territories according to the strategic functions each performs rather than treating them as components of one nationalist project. The KRG region of Iraq is increasingly approached as a constitutionally recognized component of the Iraqi state. Recent negotiations concerning customs, energy exports and federal authority point towards deeper institutional integration with Baghdad rather than preparation for independence. In Syria, Washington's emphasis has similarly shifted. Rather than advocating an independent Kurdish entity, American diplomacy increasingly [encourages](https://x.com/USAMBTurkiye/status/2013635851570336016?lang=en&ref=assyriapost.com) negotiated arrangements through which local administrations can operate within a sovereign Syrian state. Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Türkiye and special envoy for Syria and Iraq, has repeatedly [described](https://x.com/USAMBTurkiye/status/2061517384439971908?lang=en&ref=assyriapost.com) the three countries as a strategic “[fulcrum](https://thenationalcontext.com/fulcrum-doctrine-us-strategy-iraq-syria/?ref=assyriapost.com).” This framing reflects precisely the emerging logic: differentiated forms of local governance anchored within stronger state structures. Ankara itself illustrates this differentiation. It maintains deep political and economic relations with the KRG while simultaneously treating the PKK as an existential security threat. Increasingly, this differentiation extends even [within](https://thenationalcontext.com/how-the-kdp-and-puk-became-different-kinds-of-useful/?ref=assyriapost.com) the Iraqi Kurdish held region. Rather than approaching the KRG as a single political entity, Türkiye is developing distinct policies towards Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, reflecting their different regional functions. Its growing engagement with the PUK is driven in part by the party's close relationship with the PKK, making dialogue a strategic necessity, but also by Sulaymaniyah's growing importance for regional energy development and its closer integration with Baghdad. Such an approach would have made little sense if Ankara still viewed the Kurdish question primarily through the lens of a single nationalist project. None of these developments suggest that Kurdish identity has become less important. Rather, they indicate that identity alone no longer determines regional policy. Increasingly, territories are evaluated according to the institutional role they perform within recognized states. The debate has quietly shifted from nationalist aspiration to institutional design. For Assyrian policymakers, the significance of this development extends far beyond Kurdish politics. If the emerging regional order increasingly evaluates territories according to the functions they perform rather than the identities they represent, then the strategic environment surrounding the Nineveh Plain has fundamentally changed as well. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/08/nineveh_plains.png.webp) ### **The Nineveh Plain in the emerging regional order** This does not mean the traditional Assyrian narrative was mistaken. The human rights framework was the right strategy for the post-Cold War era, when Western engagement was largely framed around democracy, minority rights and humanitarian protection. It secured international recognition for the Assyrian cause. The challenge today is different: the geopolitical environment itself has changed. **For decades, Assyrians have explained why they deserve a region. The more pressing question now is why regional states would benefit from one.** Viewed through this lens, the Nineveh Plain is more than the historic homeland of the Assyrian people. Like Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and northeastern Syria, the Nineveh Plain should increasingly be understood as a governance space rather than simply an ethnic homeland. It is one of northern Iraq's most consequential governance spaces. Located within Iraq's disputed territories, it is marked by overlapping authority, fragmented security structures and institutional ambiguity, problems that extend well beyond the Assyrian community. An Assyrian administrative region anchored within Iraq's constitutional framework should therefore be understood not only as a minority rights proposal, but as a governance proposal. It could clarify authority in one of Iraq's most contested regions, strengthen accountable local administration, facilitate reconstruction, improve regional connectivity through the Mosul-Dohuk-Türkiye corridor and contribute to the long-term stability of northern Iraq. ### **The economic dimension** The strategic value of such an arrangement would also be economic. A more stable and accountable Nineveh Plain could create better conditions for reconstruction, private investment, agricultural development, local employment and cross-border trade. For Assyrian policymakers, this would help make return and long-term demographic recovery more viable. For Baghdad, it would strengthen local economic participation and reduce dependence on patronage networks. For [Türkiye and the KRG](https://www.assyriapost.com/why-an-assyrian-region-in-northern-iraq-serves-turkiyes-long-term-interests/), greater stability along the Mosul–Dohuk–Türkiye corridor could support trade, infrastructure and regional connectivity. Economic development would therefore not be an additional benefit of self-government; it would be one of the functions through which an Assyrian-administered region could demonstrate its value to the wider regional order. None of these objectives require independence or redrawing internationally recognized borders. All strengthen the Iraqi state while providing the institutional foundation for Assyrian self-government. **Identity explains why the Nineveh Plain matters to Assyrians. Strategic function explains why it should matter to Baghdad, Ankara, Washington and Erbil. That distinction may appear subtle, but it fundamentally changes how the Assyrian cause should be presented.** ### **The internal challenge** The external case for an Assyrian administrative region cannot be separated from the internal capacity to pursue it. The absence of a broadly representative political body remains one of the principal obstacles facing the Assyrian cause. Regional governments are unlikely to invest in a proposal if they are uncertain who can articulate it, negotiate its terms or assume responsibility for its implementation. Precisely because the Assyrian movement lacks a single representative institution, a shared strategic framework becomes more rather than less important. Political language can create coherence before political structures do. What is required first is agreement on a limited set of strategic principles: that self-government must remain anchored within the Iraqi state; that it should strengthen rather than weaken Iraqi cohesion; that local institutions must be accountable and inclusive; and that the Nineveh Plain should be presented as a space of governance, stability and economic connectivity. Agreement on a common strategic framework would allow different institutions to contribute according to their comparative strengths. Some may engage governments, others develop constitutional proposals, conduct research, build economic partnerships or represent the cause internationally. Representation would become a coordinated ecosystem rather than the responsibility of a single organization. A representative body may remain a long-term aspiration. But strategic coherence need not wait for institutional unity. Political language can create coherence before political structures do. If Assyrian institutions begin speaking the same strategic language, they will not only strengthen the external case for self-government— they will also begin strengthening the institutions capable of exercising it. > **"These audiences rarely begin by asking whether Assyrians deserve self-government. They ask whether a proposed governance arrangement strengthens state cohesion, regional stability and long-term strategic interests."** ### **Towards an Assyrian statecraft** This strategic turn therefore requires change at two levels: in how Assyrian diplomacy address regional powers, and in how Assyrian institutions coordinate among themselves. It requires more than a change in language; it requires a new diplomatic orientation. For decades, Assyrian advocacy has focused primarily on churches, human rights organizations and international institutions. Those relationships remain indispensable, but they should increasingly be complemented by engagement with foreign ministries, constitutional experts, security planners and economic policymakers in Baghdad, Ankara, Washington and Brussels. These audiences rarely begin by asking whether Assyrians deserve self-government. They ask whether a proposed governance arrangement strengthens state cohesion, regional stability and long-term strategic interests. Assyrian policymakers must therefore become bilingual: continuing to speak the language of justice while becoming equally fluent in the language of statecraft. If this diagnosis is correct, then the Assyrian movement stands at an important crossroads. It can continue asking the world to recognize why Assyrians deserve an administrative region, or it can demonstrate why an Assyrian-administered Nineveh Plain would strengthen Iraq, enhance regional stability and perform functions that neighboring peoples and states have an interest in preserving. The first argument secures recognition. The second has the potential to secure institutions. History gives the Assyrian cause its legitimacy. Strategic relevance may yet secure its future. ### The worlds oldest kitchen URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-worlds-oldest-kitchen/ Last updated: 2026-07-28T20:47:52.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "I first heard about this book from my daughter Jolie, who met de Mayee in Amsterdam when she and a friend rented an Airbnb in his home. Jolie is someone who lives for her next meal (like mother, like daughter!), so it’s no surprise that the topic of food came up when she first met de Mayee. Having recently published his cookbook, he shared with Jolie the inspiration behind it: his mother, who he lovingly calls “the world’s best Assyrian chef.” When Jolie mentioned that her mother runs **The Wine Chef** (perhaps adding that I’m one of her greatest inspirations!), de Mayee’s publisher sent me a copy of this gorgeous tribute to Assyrian cooking." Read the full story: [Cookbook Review: The Oldest Kitchen in the World—4,000 Years of Middle Eastern Cooking Passed Down Through Generations — The Wine ChefThe best cookbooks offer more than recipes—they tell the stories of the people behind them, their heritage, and their struggles.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/default-favicon-225686e4-64b4-4967-b056-60a417fb301c.ico)The Wine ChefLisa Denning![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_4516-e388c00e-9733-4d3c-ad9d-4958159a24c0.jpg)](https://www.thewinechef.com/blog/cookbook-review-the-oldest-kitchen-in-the-world-by-matay-de-mayee?ref=assyriapost.com) --- *Editor's note: You can also read the below article in Newsweek where the author tells more about his background and how the book came about.* [Discover 4,000 years of culinary tradition through a family’s recipesThe time is ripe to celebrate and pass on Assyrian cooking with “The Oldest Kitchen in the World,” an essential addition to any kitchen.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-bcd0739b-afa2-43c5-b01d-8d1bf6d2976a.svg)NewsweekRamsen Shamon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/2464165-oldest-kitchen-cookbook-0aa85ea1-9f53-4be7-a9f2-ee220f2dcfad.jpg)](https://www.newsweek.com/discover-4000-years-culinary-tradition-through-familys-recipes-new-cookbook-1945683?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Turabdin's village B&Bs offer Assyrians a way home URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/turabdins-village-b-bs-offer-assyrians-a-way-home/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T20:45:42.000Z According to the Assyria Post's research, there are currently village bed-and-breakfasts operating in Mzizah, Saleh, Bsorino, Beth Kustan, Arkah, and at Mor Abrohom Monastery near Midyat. Ainwardo also offers accommodation through a privately owned initiative established by local Assyrians from the village. The need for places to stay has grown as increasing numbers of Assyrians are exchanging crowded beach resorts for the tranquility and unique atmosphere of Turabdin's historic villages, choosing instead to spend their summers under the Assyrian sun. For many Assyrians with roots in Turabdin, returning home is not as simple as unlocking the door to a family house. Many no longer own homes in their ancestral villages, while others have seen their family homes fall into ruin over the decades. The village B&Bs offer a convenient and affordable way to reconnect with their heritage. They have also become gathering places for extended families scattered across the world. Relatives living in different countries coordinate their visits around the summer months, using the B&Bs as a place to reunite and reconnect with both one another and their ancestral homeland. As the number of visitors continues to grow, the B&Bs have become a critical part of the infrastructure that is making these visits possible. Most of the B&Bs have been built through joint community efforts and investments and are located on land owned by the village churches. The income they generate contributes directly to the local economy, remaining within the villages to help support the churches and lessen the financial burden on local residents. Funds are used for the upkeep of church properties, priests' salaries, and other communal needs. Some establishments offer more than basic accommodation. In Bsorino, for example, guests can choose to include breakfast, lunch, and dinner during their stay, although most village B&Bs currently offer lodging only. One of the first villages to establish a B&B was Mzizah, located just 10 kilometers from Midyat. Its popularity has grown steadily over the years. "It's increasing each year, beginning from early spring until late summer, and is often fully booked," Afrem, a local resident, told the Assyria Post. The growing popularity of Turabdin has also begun attracting non-Assyrian travelers. Last summer, a French couple became the first non-Assyrian guests to stay at the B&B in Mzizah. "They spent three days here and ended up extending their stay because they enjoyed it so much and appreciated experiencing the tranquility of Assyrian village life," Afrem said. ### Four Assyrians detained by Kurds in Gozarto URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/four-assyrians-detained-by-kurds-in-gozarto/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T21:40:19.000Z According to the organization, Charbel Hammo and Fadi Sahdo have been held in arbitrary detention for nearly a month. The Monitor alleges that on Monday, July 20, 2026, Asayish forces raided the home of Aho Hammo in Qamishli, intimidating residents and family members before detaining him without legal justification. The following day, Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Aho Hammo's 24-year-old son, Fadi Aho Hammo, a German citizen visiting his family in Syria, was reportedly arrested when he sought information regarding his father's condition, the statement said. The Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights condemned the detentions as violations of international human rights standards and warned that actions carried out outside independent legal and judicial frameworks contribute to growing fear and instability among the local population. "The continuation of arbitrary detention practices threatens the security and social fabric of the region," the organization stated, questioning the legal authority under which such arrests are conducted. It further argued that even where legal claims may exist, they cannot justify collective family detentions, home raids, or the arrest of visiting foreign nationals. The organization also appealed to the Syrian authorities in Damascus to fulfill what it described as their constitutional responsibilities by intervening to end the situation affecting all communities in the governorate. While officially disbanded, the Kurdish PKK-affiliated group still has influence in the Gozarto region where its members now make up a sizable portion of the security forces. These latest arbitrary detentions of Assyrians by Kurds continue a pattern of hostility and harassments by the PKK affiliated group that effectively ruled northeastern Syria for more than a decade during the civil war. [Kurdish militants close down Assyrian schools by force in Syria’s northeastThe Kurdish group in control of northeast Syria’s Gozarto Region has once again closed down Assyrian schools by force in an attempt to impose its own curriculum.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-cf784fe0-a07f-49c8-832e-49ed393864f3.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Assyrian-schools-bce12f46-3c69-424b-92fa-cd9fcde6af3d.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-militants-close-down-assyrian-schools-by-force-in-syrias-northeast/) ### ANB says trademark registration used to target its Facebook presence URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/anb-says-trademark-registration-used-to-target-its-facebook-presence/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:09:12.000Z In a public statement, ANB said the issue began after an unidentified party registered the ANB name and logo as a trademark in Malaysia. According to the organization, that registration was subsequently used to file a complaint with Facebook against the page. ANB also revealed that its Facebook page has recently been affected by a series of intellectual property complaints that resulted in the removal of hundreds of archived posts. The organization said it is working directly with Facebook to review the claims, arguing that the disputed material consists of original media content produced and published by ANB as part of its journalistic work. The broadcaster described the actions as an attempt to limit the reach of its reporting and media mission but stressed that its operations extend beyond a single social media platform. "ANB is not defined by one Facebook page," the statement said, emphasizing that its experienced media team remains capable of continuing its work across multiple channels. The organization added that it has prepared for potential efforts to disrupt its reporting, particularly during a period when members of the Assyrian diaspora are organizing demonstrations against the continued seizure of Assyrian lands in Iraq. ANB said it remains committed to providing coverage of developments affecting the Assyrian people, their history, and their rights with professionalism and responsibility. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-20-at-22.08.27.png) Ninos Ternian, founder of ANB Sat. Despite the ongoing dispute, ANB assured its audience that its mission remains unchanged. "Any attempt to silence this voice will not prevent us from continuing our work to report the truth and serve the causes of our people," the organization said. ANB Sat was originally founded by Assyrian-American businessman Ninos Ternian in 2011 as a satellite tv channel serving Assyrians worldwide. The satellite transmission ended after a couple of years as the channel developed into a pure online channel. Its operations were reduced further in recent years and developed into a written news source relying solely on Facebook and other social media platforms. Its Facebook page currently has 136 thousand followers, making it the most followed Assyrian news page on the social media platform. ANB Sat has faced a series of attacks throughout the years over its editorial stance highlighting Kurdish atrocities against Assyrians. In June 2025 its Facebook page was taken over by a hacker group known as “Hawpa” a Kurdish-affiliated organization with a documented history of extremist rhetoric and hostility towards Assyrians. ### Swiss-Assyrian artist Shamiran Istifan in the spotlight URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/swiss-assyrian-artist-shamiran-istifan-in-the-spotlight/ Last updated: 2026-07-17T21:32:03.000Z In its review of the exhibition, the Swiss newspaper *Aargauer Zeitung* praised Istifan's work for its layered meanings and described her installations as both seductive and politically charged. The newspaper highlighted her ability to transform ordinary objects into complex reflections on contemporary society, blending pop aesthetics with sharp social commentary. Born in 1987 and raised in Baden within Switzerland's Assyrian community, Istifan brings a unique perspective shaped by her cultural heritage. Before pursuing art full-time, she trained as a teacher and worked as a journalist, experiences that continue to inform her thoughtful and research-driven artistic practice. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-17-at-23.29.19.png) Shamiram Istifan. Photo: Instagram One of the exhibition's central works, "Inbox," reimagines the familiar mailboxes of a Swiss apartment building as spaces filled with hidden narratives. According to *Aargauer Zeitung*, the installation invites viewers to move between contrasting themes–beauty and violence, intimacy and politics, Switzerland and the wider Middle East. The exhibition also features "Unearth Angel I–VII," a series of black sculptural forms inspired by Gothic architecture and adorned with angelic figures wearing high heels. The work blurs the boundaries between sacred and contemporary imagery, evoking themes of vulnerability, loss, transformation, and identity while inviting multiple interpretations. Another installation incorporates soap bars arranged across the museum floor like cobblestones or a mosaic. Some are embossed with the words "Diva Nation," a reference to DIVAS 4 DIVAS, the nail design and lip blush studio that Istifan operates with her sister in Zurich. The piece connects everyday beauty culture with broader questions of femininity, self-expression, and social perception. The exhibition follows Istifan's selection as the [recipient of the 2026 Manor Art Prize](https://aargauerkunsthaus.ch/en/exhibition/shamiran-istifan/?ref=assyriapost.com), one of Switzerland's most respected awards for emerging contemporary artists. Her new body of work demonstrates an exceptional ability to combine contemporary art history, political reflection, popular culture, and personal experience into immersive installations that resist simple interpretation. The *Aargauer Zeitung* concluded that Istifan possesses remarkable artistic potential, praising her playful yet deeply political approach and her skill in bringing together diverse visual languages with intelligence and subtle irony. ### Baghdad declares return of Assyrian diaspora a top national priority URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/baghdad-declares-return-of-assyrian-diaspora-a-top-national-priority/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T20:10:48.000Z 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. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/07/742381705_2125947144650246_7669273646262400621_n.png.jpeg) Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi in discussion with Assyrian Christian leaders. (photo: Iraqi PM Office) 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. ### World's first Assyrian run club finds its stride in Sydney URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/worlds-first-assyrian-run-club-finds-its-stride-in-sydney/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T21:20:39.000Z Founded in Sydney in 2026, the Assyrian Run Club reflects the growing popularity of social running clubs across Australia while offering something uniquely Assyrian: a space where people of all ages and fitness levels can build friendships, strengthen their cultural identity and promote healthier lifestyles. Since launching, the club has attracted hundreds of participants and built a rapidly growing online community through its WhatsApp group and Instagram page. For generations, Assyrian community life has centred around churches, cultural organisations, sporting clubs and family gatherings. The Assyrian Run Club represents a new way for younger generations to connect, combining fitness with opportunities to strengthen friendships, celebrate their heritage and build a stronger sense of community. The idea for the club began with founder David Babanour, who first envisioned an Assyrian run club in 2024 after noticing similar initiatives emerging within other cultural communities: "Run clubs were becoming really popular, and I kept seeing other communities creating their own," Babanour told the *Assyria Post*. "I remember thinking that our community would really enjoy something like this because it can be difficult to meet like-minded Assyrians outside of family functions and community events." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/07/images-1.jpeg) David Babanour, fourth from left, with members of the club. Photo: The Assyrian Run Club At the time, however, Babanour had only recently returned to running himself and was focused on training for his first marathon. Although he continued discussing the idea with friends, the concept remained on hold until a New Year's Eve tradition unexpectedly brought it to life. On 31 December 2025, Babanour and a group of friends completed their annual 10-kilometre run to finish the year, inviting a wider group of people to join them. Twelve runners participated before gathering afterwards for coffee: "It wasn't just the run that people enjoyed," he recalled. "It was sitting down afterwards, having a coffee, laughing and getting to know each other. Everyone agreed we needed to do it again." Following the Assyrian New Year celebrations, another run was organised over the Easter long weekend. Interest quickly spread throughout the community, and what began as an informal gathering soon developed into the pioneering initiative, supported by a growing WhatsApp community and Instagram page. Since launching, the club has attracted hundreds of participants, with weekly runs regularly bringing together dozens of runners and walkers. Its largest event to date, a community fun run followed by a barbecue, welcomed around 80 attendees. The club's weekly runs take participants through some of Sydney's parks and outdoor spaces, providing an opportunity to enjoy the city's scenery while exercising in a welcoming and social environment. For Babanour, the success of the club is not measured only by kilometres run or fitness milestones, but by the relationships formed along the way: "The most rewarding part has been building a community," he said. "It's been amazing meeting new people, making new friends, and seeing others do the same. It's given people a place where they can socialise, connect, and feel like they're part of something." One of the club's greatest impacts has been encouraging people who may never have considered themselves runners to become more active: "It's always rewarding when someone comes to their first run expecting to only walk, and then over time they're running further, getting faster and showing up every week," Babanour said. "Seeing that progress has been really special." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-12-at-23.19.27-1.png) Members of the club posing for a group photo. Photo: The Assyrian Run Club Beyond building friendships, the club reflects a broader shift towards healthier lifestyles within the Assyrian community, encouraging regular exercise, improving wellbeing, and creating an environment where people can support one another in achieving their fitness goals regardless of their experience. For many participants, the club has also become a gateway to stronger involvement within the Assyrian community: "I think the more time people spend around other Assyrians, the more likely they are to stay connected to their culture," Babanour said. "Whether that's speaking our language more often, eating our food, dancing, attending church, or simply being more involved in the community, it all reinforces a stronger sense of pride in being Assyrian." He also believes the club provides an opportunity for Australians from other backgrounds to learn more about Assyrian culture and history. The club's inclusive approach has been central to its growth. Participants range from experienced runners preparing for major races to first-time walkers, with many joining as much for the coffee afterwards as the run itself: "You don't need to be a serious runner," Babanour explained. "You don't even need to run. Plenty of people come just to walk, have a coffee afterwards and meet new people. Bring your dog, bring your kids in a pram, bring your mum, dad or even your nana if you want. Everyone is welcome." Looking ahead, Babanour hopes the Assyrian Run Club will establish itself as a permanent fixture within the Australian Assyrian community. Plans are already underway to launch official merchandise and a new club logo, while organisers aim to strengthen partnerships with Assyrian businesses, community organisations and charitable causes. The club has already collaborated with organisations such as Sanctuary Runners and supported fundraising efforts through the City2Surf for the Cancer Council, with future ambitions to partner with charities connected to the Assyrian community. Babanour also hopes to see more members participating in major running events in the years ahead. Beyond Sydney, he hopes the initiative will inspire Assyrian communities around the world to establish similar clubs of their own. With Assyrians living across Australia, Europe, North America and Assyria, the success of the Sydney initiative could provide a blueprint for diaspora communities seeking new ways to engage younger generations. Organisers believe the pioneering initiative can be replicated wherever Assyrians live, creating stronger community connections through fitness, friendship and shared cultural identity: "What started as a simple run with friends has become something much bigger than I ever imagined," Babanour said. "At the end of the day, it's about bringing people together in a positive environment, getting active, meeting new people and building a stronger community." To get involved, follow the Assyrian Run Club on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/theassyrianrunclub/?ref=assyriapost.com). ### Uncovering three new kings of Assyria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/uncovering-three-new-kings-of-assyria/ Last updated: 2026-07-09T22:00:48.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. A study by Yale’s Eckart Frahm and Alexander Johannes Edmonds, of the University of Münster, in Germany, provides evidence for three previously unknown Assyrian kings who ruled for brief periods in the 10th and 8th centuries B.C.E. The study, “Three New Kings of Assyria,” appears in the Journal of Cuneiform Studies. The discovery of what look to be three additional kings during the last stage of Assyrian history, known as the Neo-Assyrian period, “came as a surprise — no one expected there would be room for any new and unknown rulers during this time,” said Frahm, the John M. Musser Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The new study builds on previous research by Frahm, one of the world’s foremost experts on the Assyrian empire, which described evidence of one of the three kings. Read the full story [Watch the Throne: Uncovering three new kings of AssyriaA new study co-written by Yale’s Eckart Frahm provides evidence that the ancient kingdom of Assyria had three more kings than previously thought.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Yale-20Favicon-fcf9d12c-15a4-42cc-8c84-8c91197bd24e.png)Yale NewsLisa Prevost![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/YN-5_Rm_75_obv-83ee6c98-a421-4c3a-9577-69b93721f928.jpg)](https://news.yale.edu/2026/07/09/watch-throne-uncovering-three-new-kings-assyria?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The Assyria–Syria question revisited URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-assyria-syria-question-revisited/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T19:57:38.000Z Rather than presenting a single new discovery, the research by Dr Daniel Sada brings together, evaluates, and synthesizes nearly three millennia of evidence from a remarkable range of disciplines. Drawing upon ancient inscriptions, Classical Greek and Roman literature, biblical and patristic sources, Syriac literary and manuscript traditions, historical linguistics, Assyriology, archaeology, historiography, and modern interdisciplinary scholarship, the study demonstrates how independent bodies of evidence converge upon the same historical conclusion. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/07/IMG_40E802D4839F-1.jpeg) The Çineköy inscription is a famous ancient bilingual text written in both Hieroglyphic Luwian and Phoenician. It is housed and displayed in the Adana Archaeology Museum in Turkey. At the centre of the research stands the Çineköy bilingual inscription, whose correspondence between the Luwian designation Sura/i and the Phoenician ʾAššur provides the earliest direct epigraphic evidence linking the names Syria and Assyria. The paper further incorporates evidence from the related Karatepe bilingual inscription, the writings of Herodotus, Justin, Strabo, Pliny the Elder, Lucian of Samosata, Eusebius of Caesarea, and Jerome, together with indigenous Assyrian manuscript traditions, Syriac historiography, Christian Palestinian Aramaic manuscripts, and the works of many of the world's leading scholars, including Theodor Nöldeke, Richard N. Frye, Robert Rollinger, Stephanie Dalley, Simo Parpola, and numerous others. One of the study's principal contributions is its extensive historiographical reassessment of the debate itself. Competing interpretations–including nineteenth-century separationist frameworks, the critiques of Jaroslav Tkatsch and Franz Rosenthal, and alternative etymological theories proposed by John A. Tvedtnes, Daniel Pipes, Hugo Winckler, John Joseph, and others–are examined critically alongside the cumulative evidence now available. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/07/IMG_C212D6B34511-1-1.jpeg) Among the paper's central observations is that the strength of the Assyria → Syria relationship does not depend upon a single inscription, ancient author, or linguistic argument. Rather, it rests upon the convergence of multiple independent lines of evidence. As the study concludes, " The cumulative evidence therefore indicates that the designations Syria, Syrian, and Syriac are best understood not as independent ethnonyms of separate historical origin, but as successive linguistic and historical developments of the earlier designation Assyria. Their evolution reflects processes of phonological change, linguistic transmission, and historical adaptation that unfolded across changing political and cultural environments without severing their connection to the Assyrian tradition from which they emerged. " Prepared according to rigorous academic standards, fully documented with extensive references and critical analysis, the research represents a substantial contribution to the ongoing scholarly discussion surrounding the historical development of the names Assyria, Syria, and Syriac. Its interdisciplinary scope, methodological rigor, and comprehensive engagement with both supporting and opposing scholarship place it among the most detailed modern treatments of the subject. The study is intended as a resource for researchers, students, historians, and all those interested in the languages, history, archaeology, and cultural continuity of the ancient Near East. The full research paper is now available on Academia.edu both in [English](https://www.academia.edu/169687321/Assyria%5FSyria%5Fand%5FSyriac%5FAn%5FInterdisciplinary%5FReassessment%5Fof%5FTheir%5FHistorical%5FLinguistic%5Fand%5FCultural%5FContinuum?source=swp%5Fshare) and [Arabic](https://www.academia.edu/169686511/%D8%A2%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%5F%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%5F%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9%5F%D8%A5%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9%5F%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%85%5F%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%AF%D8%A9%5F%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%B5%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AA%5F%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%85%5F%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE%D9%8A%D8%A9%5F%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9%5F%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%A9?source=swp%5Fshare). ### Assyrians in Northern Iraq protest ongoing Kurdish land grabs URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-in-northern-iraq-protest-ongoing-kurdish-land-grabs/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T20:33:05.000Z The demonstration brought together representatives from across the Assyrian community, including The Assyrian Democratic Movement – the main Assyrian political party, who called for an end to what they say are ongoing encroachments on Assyrian lands and demanded Iraqi authorities to safeguard the historical and legal rights of the indigenous Assyrian people. During the protest, participating organizations presented a formal memorandum of demands to Duhok Governor Ali Tatar, calling for concrete action to halt further land seizures and ensure the enforcement of existing court decisions concerning disputed properties. According to organizers, Governor Tatar pledged to continue following the issue closely and said he would work toward finding solutions to end the encroachments, which participants said threaten the continued presence of Assyrians in their ancestral homeland. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/07/dohuk-protest-2-1.jpeg) Assyrian protestors at the manifestation against ongoing Kurdish land grabs. Several Assyrian media outlets also reported that Kurdish security forces prevented many Assyrians travelling from outside Duhok from entering the city to participate in the demonstration. Community representatives said such restrictions have repeatedly been imposed during Assyrian protests, limiting participation from surrounding towns and villages. The protest comes amid longstanding disputes over land ownership in the Nineveh Plains and the Duhok governorate, where Assyrian villages have for decades reported the confiscation or occupation of agricultural lands. One of the most recent disputes involves the Assyrian village of Kashkawa, where local residents allege that portions of their ancestral lands have been seized despite documented ownership claims. [Renewed Kurdish land encroachments against Assyrians in Northern IraqResidents of the Assyrian village of Kashkawa in the Nahla Valley have issued a public appeal calling for immediate intervention after Kurdish settlers have once again cultivated disputed village lands despite court rulings ordering the encroachments to be removed.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-6c63d89f-10d5-40e5-aa83-50bd989b13e8.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/B1.-Keuchkawa-ce548ed9-4d90-4688-bb42-e6747df02556.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/renewed-kurdish-land-encroachments-against-assyrians-in-northern-iraq/) The issue of Assyrian land confiscation has been documented by numerous organizations over the years. Reports by Human Rights Watch have detailed cases in which Assyrian villagers proved that lands were appropriated or occupied without effective legal remedy. The U.S. Department of State has also repeatedly referenced unresolved property disputes affecting Assyrian communities in its annual International Religious Freedom Reports. Meanwhile, advocacy organizations including the Assyrian Policy Institute have documented dozens of cases involving disputed Assyrian lands across northern Iraq and have argued that weak enforcement of judicial decisions has allowed many occupations to continue despite favorable court rulings for Assyrian landowners. Community leaders argue that while local courts have frequently recognized Assyrian ownership based on historical deeds and legal documentation, implementation of those rulings has often been delayed or not carried out, leaving many landowners unable to regain possession of their property. Assyrian organizations participating in Monday's protest said they will continue to press both the Kurdish entities and Iraqi authorities to enforce court judgments, protect private property rights, and prevent further encroachments on Assyrian villages. [Assyrian Party accuses Kurdish leader of neglect and injustice in open letterIn an open letter to Kurdish leader Masrour Barzani, the head of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), Yacoob Gorgis, raised concerns over the occupation of Assyrian lands and the discrimination faced by Assyrians in northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-490bf63d-851e-4b48-9434-8713424ac672.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-03-at-16.17.43-936565c9-001e-4369-ab23-9768897e23b3.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/a/) ### Summit on Nineveh Plains draws Australian leaders URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/a-3/ Last updated: 2026-07-05T20:40:44.000Z The "Exploring Australia's Role in the Future of the Nineveh Plains" Summit was organised by the Assyrian National Council (Australia) (ANCA) in partnership with its youth organisation, The Young Assyrians, bringing together senior Australian policymakers, diplomats, academics, and community representatives in an unprecedented dialogue on the future of the Assyrian homeland. The Summit was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, alongside Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, who hosted the event at Parliament House. Their attendance reflected Australia's growing engagement with issues affecting Iraq's indigenous Assyrian community and the increasing influence of Australia's Assyrian diaspora in shaping policy discussions concerning the Nineveh Plains. Among the international guests were Dr. Hillel Newman, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Australia, and Mr. Amir Meron, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Israel. They were joined by representatives from international organisations, policy institutes, academia, civil society organisations, and community leaders who travelled from across Australia to participate in what organisers described as a landmark national dialogue. The Summit formed part of a broader strategic initiative by ANCA to strengthen engagement with Australian decision-makers and international stakeholders regarding the future of the Nineveh Plains. Panellists discussed governance, constitutional pathways, security, economic development, cultural preservation, and practical policy approaches aimed at strengthening the long-term future of the indigenous peoples of the Nineveh Plains. Throughout the discussions, participants examined the historical significance of the Nineveh Plains as the ancestral homeland of the Assyrian people and considered the contemporary challenges facing its indigenous communities. Situated east and north of Mosul, the Nineveh Plains have served as the heartland of the Assyrian nation for millennia. Despite the territorial defeat of the so-called Islamic State, the region continues to face significant challenges, including security concerns, demographic change, displacement, political representation, reconstruction, the protection of cultural heritage, and long-term stability. A recurring theme throughout the Summit was the need for practical, constitutional, and democratic solutions that would enable the indigenous peoples of the Nineveh Plains to live securely and with dignity in their ancestral homeland while contributing to a peaceful, united, and pluralistic Iraq. Speakers also emphasised the importance of preserving the Assyrian language, culture, national identity, and historical heritage, while recognising the vital role of international cooperation in advancing human rights, religious freedom, and the protection of indigenous peoples. One of the Summit's most significant outcomes was the presentation of the Canberra Declaration on the Future and Protection of the Nineveh Plains, a policy document affirming shared principles supporting the security, dignity, cultural preservation, and meaningful participation of the indigenous peoples of the Nineveh Plains. The Declaration calls for continued engagement between governments, policymakers, civil society, and affected communities to advance practical and sustainable outcomes consistent with constitutional governance, international human rights principles, and the long-term stability of Iraq. [Inaugural Policy Summit Brings Australian Political Leaders Together to Support the Future of the Nineveh PlainsThe Assyrian National Council – Australia (ANCA), in partnership with its youth organisation, The Young Assyrians (TYA), proudly hosted the Policy Summit on the Future of the Nineveh Plains at Parliament House, Canberra, on Assyria Day, Wednesday, 1 July 2026.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)ANCAANCA![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/414cfb_7a64544b73344664855440a35ab185b2~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1000,h_667,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/414cfb_7a64544b73344664855440a35ab185b2~mv2.png)](https://www.ancau.org/post/inaugural-policy-summit-brings-australian-political-leaders-together-to-support-the-future-of-the-ni?fbclid=IwY2xjawS20f9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEei1MVOWcPtt5X0b-FTJQfu1LJm2xUnwwAn54RES7E2GxV81JX3dKjkZv1Dig%5Faem%5FoEtXhKCPrQZy8--qTuQBtg&ref=assyriapost.com) ### Australian supreme court approves settlement over multimillion-dollar Assyrian church land dispute URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/australian-supreme-court-approves-settlement-over-multimillion-dollar-assyrian-church-land-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T20:33:44.000Z The Victorian Supreme Court has approved a negotiated settlement bringing to an end a years-long legal dispute over valuable church property belonging to Melbourne's St Yacoub Syriac Orthodox community _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Inside the saffron monastery URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/inside-deyrulzafaran-the-saffron-monastery/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T20:19:08.000Z Known also as Mor Hananyo Monastery, the complex took shape over many centuries, with major additions from the 5th century onward and its present architectural form largely completed by the 18th century. Its history reaches back beyond Christianity. Official heritage descriptions, church histories, and restoration studies all identify the site as having earlier sacred and military layers: first a pre-Christian sanctuary associated with sun worship, then a Roman fortress, and only later a monastery. In the underground chamber traditionally linked to that earlier cult, visitors are still shown massive stone blocks fitted without mortar and a small opening aligned to the rising sun. Because the public source base is stronger on the existence of this tradition than on a securely published archaeological date, it is safest to describe the substructure as a traditionally identified sun temple rather than to assign it an exact Bronze Age chronology. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-03-at-22.16.47.png) According to long-standing Syriac Orthodox tradition, Mor Shleymun transformed the former stronghold into a monastery in 493, bringing relics of saints to consecrate the new Christian foundation. After a major restoration begun in 793 by Mor Hananyo, Metropolitan of Mardin and Kfartuta, the monastery came to be associated with his name. The designation Deyrulzafaran, or “The Saffron Monastery,” is linked in Turkish heritage sources to the 15th century, but the reason for the name is interpreted in more than one way: some sources connect it to saffron growing around the monastery, while others preserve traditions about saffron-tinted mortar or the warm yellow tone of the stone itself. Deyrulzafaran became one of the great ecclesiastical centres of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, to which the vast majority of the Assyrians of Tur Abdin belong. Patriarch Mor Michael the Great was enthroned there in 1166, and church-historical sources describe the monastery as the patriarchate’s best-established seat from 1293 until its transfer out of Turkey in 1932 or 1933\. Within its walls stand the churches of Mor Hananyo and the Virgin Mary, as well as the Beth Qadishe, the “House of Saints,” where the remains of many patriarchs and metropolitans are preserved in a seated position facing east, in accordance with the Church tradition. The monastery was also a center of learning and print culture. Patriarch Peter IV acquired a printing press in England in 1874; it was installed at Deyrulzafaran in 1881, and a dedicated printing house followed in 1882\. The first books printed there appeared in 1888, and the press later produced works among others in Assyrian, Arabic, Ottoman Turkish, and Turkish, including the periodical Hikmet in 1913–1914\. Printing was interrupted around the First World War and the Assyrian genocide Seyfo, resumed in the Republican period, and under Mor Philoxenos Yuhanon Dolabani the equipment was moved in 1947 to the Forty Martyrs, or Kırklar, Church in Mardin. Publications continued until 1969, while the monthly Öz Hikmet ran until 1953\. This made Deyrulzafaran an important regional printing center, though not the first press in the Middle East. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/07/threema-20260703-110305664.jpg-1.jpeg) Mor Philoxenos Yuhanon Dolabani No modern figure is more closely tied to the monastery’s intellectual legacy than Mor Philoxenos Yuhanon Dolabani. He entered Deyrulzafaran as a monk in 1908 and became Metropolitan of Mardin in 1947\. A prolific scholar, teacher, translator, and editor, he wrote numerous works in Assyrian, Arabic, and Turkish, helped preserve manuscript culture, and translated liturgical materials into Turkish for Assyrian faithful who no longer understood Assyrian. He is buried at the monastery he served for most of his life. During and after the genocide perpetrated against the Assyrians by Muslim Kurds and Young Turks, Mor Philoxenos Yuhanon Dolabani undertook extensive humanitarian work, particularly focusing on caring for the numerous Assyrian orphans whose parents had been killed by local Kurdish family clans. Regarded as a saint by many Assyrians, the Metropolitan was a selfless servant to his people and his church. Many Assyrians are calling for him to be canonised. Today Deyrulzafaran is no longer the patriarchal seat, but it remains an active monastery and the residence of the Metropolitan of Mardin. Bells still call the faithful to prayer and Assyrian liturgical language rooted in the ancient Christian East continues to sound within its churches. Layered with memories of pre-Christian rituals, the Roman occupation, monastic scholarship, patriarchal authority and the printed word, Deyrulzafaran remains one of the most significant Assyrian monuments in the Tur Abdin region of northern Assyria. ### Gabriel Moshe appointed to Syrian parliament on president's list URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/gabriel-moshe-appointed-to-syrian-parliament-on-presidents-list/ Last updated: 2026-07-01T19:24:30.000Z The President's List includes 70 individuals representing Syria's various provinces and communities as part of the formation of the country's new People's Assembly. Moshe is a well-known Assyrian political figure and longtime member of the Syrian opposition. He was imprisoned by the government of former President Bashar al-Assad because of his political activities and has held several senior positions within the Syrian opposition. Among his most prominent roles, Moshe served as the Assyrian Democratic Organization's representative in the General Secretariat of the Damascus Declaration, a member of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, and a member of the Syrian Constitutional Committee. His appointment marks Assyrian representation within Syria's newly formed legislature under the country's transitional authorities. The parliament has 210 seats. Of these, 140 were selected through regional electoral bodies while 70 were appointed directly by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Moshe is the only Assyrian in the interim parliament. [Assyrian party welcomes Syria–Kurdish agreement, calls for inclusive governance in HasakahThe Assyrian Democratic Organization has welcomed the agreement between the Syrian government and the PYD/YPG, calling it an important step toward restoring stability, state sovereignty, and inclusive governance in Syria’s northeastern Hasakah province.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-14d0b341-6dde-4ad9-aaac-e65f0104c5f9.png)The Assyria PostDavid Barsom![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/ADO-2-1f10b518-1132-4321-907c-ae6e1dc0bbae.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-party-welcomes-syria-kurdish-agreement-calls-for-inclusive-governance-in-hasakah/) ### A new chapter for Amsterdam's Assyrian community URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-community-of-amsterdam-inaugurates-ficommunity-center/ Last updated: 2026-06-29T20:40:50.000Z With the opening of the new Assyrian Association in 2025 – officially known in Dutch as *Assyrische Vereniging Amsterdam*, a milestone was set for the social life of the migrant community. For the roughly 3,000 Assyrians who have found a home in and around Amsterdam, this closes a decades-long gap. The new association explicitly sees itself as a complementary institution to the existing church congregations and is intended to serve as a central place for cultural exchange, the cultivation of identity, and intergenerational coexistence. The Netherlands, especially the eastern region of Twente, occupies a historically prominent place in the history of the Assyrian diaspora in Western Europe. Twente is not only home to the first Syriac Orthodox monastery in Western Europe, but it was also the seat of the first Syriac Orthodox bishop in the region. However, while a permanent and highly institutionalized community established itself early on in Twente, the development in the capital Amsterdam was more volatile. About 40 years ago, there was already a promising attempt in Amsterdam to organize the community outside the ecclesiastical framework. At that time, Assyrians who had immigrated from the northern Syrian city of Qamishli founded the cultural association "Zelge d'Madenho" (Rays of the East). However, when a large part of this founding generation moved to the structurally stronger Twente region in the following years, the association in Amsterdam lost its membership base and eventually had to close. The re-establishment of the *Assyrische Vereniging Amsterdam* now builds on these historical roots and carries the legacy into the modern era after four decades. ### **The Assyrian Community at a Glance** - **Demographics:** Approx. 550 Assyrian families, or roughly 3,000 people, live in and around Amsterdam. - **Denominational Majority:** The vast majority belong to the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. - **Ecclesiastical Diversity:** In addition to the Syriac Orthodox majority, there are Chaldean Catholic, Assyrian Church of the East, and Syriac Catholic parish members. - **Complementarity:** The new cultural association acts entirely complementary to the religious institutions. Today, around 550 Assyrian families live in the Dutch metropolis. The community is characterized by remarkable internal diversity. Although the traditional affiliation with the Syriac Orthodox Church is the defining element, numerous Assyrians belonging to other historic churches also live in Amsterdam. These include believers of the Chaldean Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Syriac Catholic Church. ### **The four pillars of the Syriac Orthodox congregation** The vitality of the Syriac Orthodox majority manifests itself particularly in the four independent churches that have emerged in the Amsterdam metropolitan area over the past decades. Each of these congregations reflects a distinct era or a specific origin within the diaspora: - **Ito dyoldath Aloho (Church of Our Lady Maria):** Opened in 1982 in the center of Amsterdam, this church is the historical cradle of the congregation and bears witness to the beginnings of the Assyrian presence in the city. - **Mor Sharbil:** This congregation was founded in 1993 in response to the continuous growth of the community and has formed a solid pillar of community life for over thirty years. - **Mor Gabriel:** This church is primarily attended by Assyrians who have fled or immigrated from Syria. Characteristic of this congregation is the continuous use of the Arabic language in everyday life and social exchange. - **Mor Matta:** This congregation serves primarily as a spiritual and social refuge for Assyrians from Iraq. Here, too, the Arabic language, alongside traditional Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, is a unifying element among the believers. This sacred infrastructure is complemented by the Mar Benyamin church, which belongs to the Assyrian Church of the East. It is located in the town of Zeist, just outside Amsterdam, but represents a central focal point for believers from the entire region. The newly founded association explicitly does not see itself as competition, but rather as a bridge-builder and partner to the churches. While the houses of worship preserve the spiritual home and the millennia-old liturgical heritage, the *Assyrische Vereniging Amsterdam* dedicates itself to secular, social, and cultural needs. The goal is to keep the Assyrian identity, language, and history alive while actively promoting integration and dialogue with the Dutch majority society. After 40 years of waiting, the Assyrian diaspora in Amsterdam has thus regained a strong, secular foundation. You can follow the association's activities on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/assyrische.ver.amsterdam?ref=assyriapost.com) and [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570824878919). ### Renewed Kurdish land encroachments against Assyrians in Northern Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/renewed-kurdish-land-encroachments-against-assyrians-in-northern-iraq/ Last updated: 2026-06-28T21:25:24.000Z In a statement issued on behalf of the village, the residents said they had been waiting for more than three years for authorities to enforce court decisions that ruled in their favor. Instead, they say the disputed agricultural lands have now been planted again by the Kurdish encroachers. "At a time when we were awaiting the implementation of the numerous promises to enforce the court rulings issued more than three years ago, we were shocked to discover that the encroachers have once again cultivated those lands," the statement reads. According to the appeal, villagers notified the relevant government authorities after the renewed activity but say no action has been taken and no official response has been received. The residents are calling on Kurdish representatives and representatives of the Assyrian people in both Erbil and Baghdad, church leaders, and Assyrian political parties to intervene immediately to enforce the court decisions, halt the alleged violations, and uphold the rule of law. "We therefore call upon you to intervene immediately to halt these violations and enforce the court decisions, in order to uphold justice.." the statement concludes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/Kashkawa-Map.png.webp) ### A Long-Running Dispute The latest appeal is the newest development in a land dispute that has persisted for years. The Kashkawa case has been the subject of repeated legal proceedings and parliamentary attention. In 2020, a committee of Assyrian members of the Northern Iraq's parliament visited the village after disputes involving approximately 2,000 dunams of agricultural land. At the time, villagers presented historical land records and official documentation supporting their ownership claims while lawmakers pledged to follow the case with the relevant authorities. In a separate interview with Australia based SBS Assyrian, Kashkawa resident Oger Toma said villagers first turned to the courts in 2016 to recover lands they said had been used illegally for decades. Although the Aqra Court ultimately ruled in favor of the villagers, concerns remained over whether the judgment would ever be implemented. Kashkawa is one of the historic Assyrian villages of the Nahla Valley. The village was destroyed during the Anfal campaign in 1988 before being rebuilt after families returned in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Today, it remains among the handful of surviving Assyrian villages in the region. As of publication, there has been no public response from local authorities regarding the villagers' latest appeal. ### New research reassesses Assyria under the Achaemenid empire URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/new-research-reassesses-assyria-under-the-achaemenid-empire/ Last updated: 2026-06-27T13:23:31.000Z Did the fall of Nineveh in 612 BCE mark the end of Assyria? A new interdisciplinary study by the Assyrian-Australian Daniel Sada argues that the contemporary Persian evidence tells a fundamentally different story. A newly published research paper, *ASSYRIA (ATHURA) UNDER THE ACHAEMENIDS: Persian Royal Inscriptions, Persepolis, the Continuity of Assyria and the Assyrian People, and the Absence of KWRT/KRD and Some Other Biblical Ethnonym*s, presents one of the most comprehensive examinations to date of Assyria during the Achaemenid period. Drawing upon Persian royal inscriptions, the Persepolis Fortification Archive, the monumental reliefs of Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rustam, archaeology, Herodotus, and modern Iranian scholarship, the study demonstrates that the collapse of the Neo-Assyrian Empire represented the end of political independence—not the disappearance of Assyria or the Assyrian people. Among the study's principal findings: • Aθurā (Athura), the Old Persian name for Assyria, appears consistently in the royal inscriptions of Darius I, Xerxes I, and Artaxerxes II, confirming that Assyria continued as an officially recognized province of the Achaemenid Empire. • The corresponding Old Persian ethnonym Āthuriyā ("the Assyrian") appears on the royal throne-bearer inscriptions at Naqsh-e Rustam and again approximately a century later on the tomb of Artaxerxes II at Persepolis—providing direct epigraphic evidence that the Achaemenid court officially recognized Assyrians as one of the constituent peoples of the empire. • A royal inscription from Susa records that "the Assyrian people brought \[the cedar timber\] to Babylon," demonstrating the active participation of Assyrians in major imperial construction projects. • The Persepolis Fortification Archive documents Assyrians as one of the largest non-Persian ethnic communities within the imperial administration, with more than 2,600 individuals identified in the surviving records. • The study also highlights the complete absence of KWRT, KRD, Kurd, and several other later ethnonyms from both the Achaemenid inscriptions and administrative archives, despite the remarkable precision with which the empire recorded the identities of its constituent peoples. The research argues that these independent lines of evidence—epigraphic, archaeological, administrative, monumental, and classical—converge on the same conclusion: Assyria survived as a province, and the Assyrians survived as a recognized people throughout the Achaemenid period. The evidence consistently points to political transformation rather than demographic, ethnic, or cultural extinction, providing one of the clearest post-imperial demonstrations of Assyrian continuity in the ancient Near East. The paper is now available in both [English](https://www.academia.edu/169168345/ASSYRIA%5FATHURA%5FUNDER%5FTHE%5FACHAEMENIDS%5FPersian%5FRoyal%5FInscriptions%5FPersepolis%5Fthe%5FContinuity%5Fof%5FAssyria%5Fand%5Fthe%5FAssyrian%5FPeople%5Fand%5Fthe%5FAbsence%5Fof%5FKWRT%5FKRD%5Fand%5FSome%5FOther%5FBiblical%5FEthnonyms?ref=assyriapost.com) and [Arabic](https://www.academia.edu/169168521/%D8%A2%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%5F%D8%A2%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%5F%D9%81%D9%8A%5F%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%87%D8%AF%5F%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A?ref=assyriapost.com) on Academia.edu. ### Hymn to Babylon discovered, revealing ancient Mesopotamian city life URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/hymn-to-babylon-discovered-revealing-ancient-mesopotamian-city-life/ Last updated: 2026-06-27T08:48:29.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Composed in the early first millennium BCE, the hymn was widely circulated in the ancient world, as evidenced by the many surviving copies. “The hymn was copied by children in school. It’s remarkable that such a popular text remained unknown until now,” Jiménez said. Composed in cuneiform script on [clay tablets](https://archaeologymag.com/tag/clay-tablet/?ref=assyriapost.com), the hymn was uncovered among the renowned Sippar Library collection. According to legend, Noah had allegedly hidden this library before the biblical flood. In the larger effort of digitization and preservation of cuneiform texts globally, the rediscovery is a major achievement in both Mesopotamian studies and digital humanities." Read the full story [Hymn to Babylon discovered, revealing ancient Mesopotamian city life | Archaeology News Online MagazineAncient Babylonian hymn rediscovered and decoded reveals rare insights into Mesopotamian life, nature, and women’s roles.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-579e0812-7a31-4193-bd72-b8a7ae2433bb.png)Archaeology News Online MagazineDario Radley![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/hymn-to-babylon-1-de811ea9-c806-4e22-beb4-e876d5e44b20.jpg)](https://archaeologymag.com/2025/07/hymn-to-babylon-discovered/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Assyrian patriarch in meeting with Turkish president URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-patriarch-in-meeting-with-turkish-president/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T20:50:32.000Z The meeting, which took place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding on June 23, included prominent spiritual and community leaders from Turkey's southeastern and metropolitan Assyrian communities. The delegation was led by Aphrem II, head of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Following the reception, the Assyrian delegation expressed their deep satisfaction with the meeting, issuing a statement that praised President Erdoğan’s warm hospitality and sincere approach: "This meeting, held within the framework of mutual respect, understanding, and our shared values, will hold a precious place in our memories," the delegation stated, emphasizing the historic weight of the encounter. Political analysts and community observers view the reception as a crucial step forward in reinforcing the ongoing dialogue between the Turkish state and its ancient and indiginous Assyrian community. The Syriac Orthodox Church, which has deep historical roots in modern-day Turkey, particularly in the southeastern province of Mardin (Tur Abdin), represents one of the oldest Assyrian Christian communities in the region. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/730382384_1456459043181258_2118996920847335342_n.jpg) The constructive tone of the meeting underscores a continued effort by Ankara to maintain active channels of communication with minority religious institutions, promoting social cohesion and mutual cultural recognition. Notably, this meeting, as well as Patriarch Aphrem's earlier visit to Tur Abdin were impossible as long as the Assad regime was in power. With the fall of the Assad regime and the installment of the new pro-Turkish Syrian government, the head of the church, who resides in Damascus, is able to freely interact with Turkish actors. ### Assyrian stele unearthed at Nineveh's Shamash gate URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-stele-unearthed-at-ninevehs-shamash-gate/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T21:27:37.000Z The discovery was announced by Iraq's State Board of Antiquities and Heritage following ongoing excavations at Bab Shamash, one of the most important gateways of ancient Nineveh. Officials stated that the stele dates to the seventh century BC, during the height of the Assyrian Empire. According to archaeologists, the monument bears Assyrian inscriptions and is believed to depict a king from the Sargonid dynasty, the royal house that ruled Assyria during its final and most powerful centuries. Researchers say the find could provide valuable insight into the political, religious, and military history of the empire. Stone stelae were commonly erected by Assyrian rulers to commemorate royal achievements, military victories, construction projects, and official decrees. The newly discovered monument is expected to contribute to scholars' understanding of Nineveh and its role as the empire's administrative and ceremonial center. The Shamash Gate, known in Akkadian as Bab Shamash, formed part of Nineveh's extensive defensive walls. Dedicated to Shamash, the Mesopotamian god of the sun and justice, the gate was one of seventeen major entrances that surrounded the ancient city. During the seventh century BC, Nineveh served as the capital of the Assyrian Empire and was among the largest and most influential cities in the world. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/728528182_1328000236127728_1370620942947720088_n.jpg) The discovery has generated excitement among historians and archaeologists, who note that large portions of ancient Nineveh remain unexplored. Experts believe that further excavations could reveal additional monuments, inscriptions, and artifacts buried beneath the site. The find also underscores the enduring archaeological importance of Assyria's heartland, where ongoing research continues to uncover new evidence of one of the ancient world's most advanced civilizations. Further study and conservation work on the stele are expected in the coming months as specialists examine its inscriptions and iconography in greater detail. ### Australia's prime minister attends Assyrian hall inauguration URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/australias-prime-minister-at-assyrian-hall-inauguration/ Last updated: 2026-06-22T20:35:56.000Z The ceremony held on Sunday 21 June drew many from Sydney's large Assyrian community and several Australian politicians, most notably the prime minister, who emphasized that Assyrians are an important part of Australia’s multicultural story. Albanese noted that the Australian government is proud to have supported and helped complete the project, stating that the new hall will provide a place to celebrate Assyrian heritage and faith for generations to come. During his speech, Albanese said: “We are proud of the Assyrians; they are part of our country’s story.” As in Sweden, which has its own sizable and well-integrated Assyrian community, Assyrians in Australia have become a visible and well-known group. Assyrian activists have recently joined forces with Greek and Armenian groups to call for a recognition of the 1915 genocide. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a member and leader of the Australian Labor Party (often called "Labor"), Australia's main centre-left political party. The most recent Australian federal election was held on 3 May 2025, and Labor was re-elected with an increased majority. Australia's next federal election is expected in 2028. The Prime Minister concluded his remarks with the Assyrian phrase “Basimah Raba” (“Thank you”), which was warmly welcomed by those in attendance. ### AI learns to read cuneiform: A milestone for Ancient Near Eastern Studies URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ai-learns-to-read-cuneiform-a-milestone-for-ancient-near-eastern-studies/ Last updated: 2026-06-21T22:12:04.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "In the three millennia before the common era, a highly developed civilization flourished in the Near East, leaving behind a wealth of information: on clay tablets inscribed in cuneiform. In this writing system, wedge-shaped characters were pressed with a stylus into moist clay tablets, which were then dried—resulting in a durable written document. Most clay tablets have broken over time, and their fragments are scattered across museums around the world. Ancient Near Eastern Studies therefore faces a complex task: it must correctly piece the fragments back together. Only then is it possible to read the complete documents and gain insights into life in the Ancient Near East. Researchers at the University of Würzburg and the Academy of Sciences and Literature in Mainz have been working on this for many years. Their focus is on the culture of the Hittites, who lived in what is now Anatolia 3,500 years ago. This people’s “alphabet” is extensive: it consists of no fewer than 375 cuneiform signs, which represent syllables as well as entire words." Read the full story [AI reads cuneiform: A milestone for Ancient Near Eastern StudiesThe new AI tool “Palaeographicum” is revolutionizing research into the cultures of the Ancient Near East: It identifies individual variations of cuneiform signs—a huge step forward for academia.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-9fa58748-2b98-44af-86e6-8f2d84995df4.png)To startpageRobert Emmerich![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/csm_0518Palaeographicum-w_0401cf56d9-b8b625ef-c012-4d87-9738-718750dc9cd9.jpg)](https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/news-and-events/einblick/single/news/palaeographicum-ai/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### English edition of Seyfo novel to launch this summer URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/english-edition-of-seyfo-novel-to-launch-this-summer/ Last updated: 2026-06-21T12:19:20.000Z In 2015, Nemrud Kurt-Haninke, a young Assyrian born in Sweden, published the novel *The Dead Teach the Living (*Swedish title *De döda lär de levande)*, a fact-based novel about the Assyrian genocide in Swedish. Released exactly 100 years after Seyfo, the book was his way of honoring the victims and preserving their stories for future generations. The idea for the novel was born during his first visit to Assyria's Tur Abdin Region in 2014\. Standing in his families ancestral village of Anhel, he began imagining a story connecting the generation of Seyfo with the descendants living in the diaspora. The story moves between the days of genocide and modern-day Tur Abdin. In 1915, young Malke's search for his kidnapped sister takes him through the most significant places of the genocide. He witnesses the battle of Azakh, the defense of Iwardo, and the destruction of Midyat. In the parallel storyline, Nedro, a young Assyrian, travels from Europe to Tur Abdin in search of his roots, retracing the same paths once walked by the victims and survivors. The novel received positive reviews in Sweden, where Kurt-Haninke was praised for combining historical facts with fiction. Last year, the book was translated into German and launched during an event in Augsburg, a town in southern Germany with a significant Assyrian community. Earlier this year, it also reached the Austrian capital Vienna where the author held a lecture and book signing. The German edition has sold out, but rather than a second edition, the focus is now shifted to the English-speaking world. This summer, *The Dead Teach the Living* will be launched in the Netherlands, marking the first step of the English-editions journey. ”The big Assyrian community in Enschede makes it the perfect place to start in Europe,” Kurt-Haninke says. ”I want people to embrace the book with both their heads and their hearts. It’s an emotional and an intellectual journey. Readers get to both learn something and let themselves be enmeshed in the dramaturgi.” Kurt-Haninke is currently in dialogue with organizations in both Australia and the United States regarding potential launches there as well. The young author has published three novels so far and worked as a journalist for the Swedish National Television and other national news outlets in Sweden. ”The pen has always been my greatest tool, a sword with which I fight for our nation”, he says. ”My father (Augin Kurt-Haninke) has always been my role model for his way of writing as well as his passion for our nation. I am convinced that Assyria will always survive as long as we teach our children to keep it alive. Every time we sing our songs, share our food or speak our language, our nation lives on. It's our way of telling the world we're still alive.” He reveals that he has begun to write lyrics in Western Assyrian. "Creativity has always been my true passion. When writing a book, you create a world. In my case, a world I long for.” That world is Assyria's Tur Abdin Region, where he traces his lineage and keeps revisiting. Last year, his grandmother was laid to rest in Anhel – the same village where the idea for the novel was first born. Despite its tragic history where the echoes of Seyfo still linger, he describes Tur Abdin as ”heaven on earth”. ”It is only a coincidence that I am the first in hundreds of generations to be born outside Assyria. I’ve been to some of the world’s greatest cities. For me, there is nothing like Tur Abdin. It is my treasure. It is where my heart lies.” *The Dead Teach the Living launches in the Assyrian Mesopotamian Association Enschede (AMVE) on the 9th of August. Check the* associations[ *social media account*](https://www.facebook.com/hudrobethnahrin) *for updates about the event*. ### Assyrian relief in Athens reveals Assyrian continuity URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-relief-in-athens-reveals-assyrian-continuity/ Last updated: 2026-06-19T14:31:56.000Z The relief, discovered in Athens in 1879, depicts a bearded figure in Achaemenid Persian dress standing between two winged guardian beings, while a second frieze below portrays a lion attacking a deer. The artistic vocabulary is unmistakably rooted in the Assyrian-Mesopotamian tradition of protective winged creatures and royal hunting imagery. Of particular interest are the **upcurved wings** of the guardian figures and lion's hunt of a deer are closely reminiscent of the royal sphinx and similar reliefs seen in Persepolis. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/IMG_4983143A9050-1.jpeg) Relief depicting Assyrian demon with winged lions (above): lion pulling down deer (below). From Svoronos 1903-12, pl.113\. Athens, NM 1487 This similarity points to the continued transmission of Assyrian artistic conventions throughout the Achaemenid world and strongly suggests the presence and activity of Assyrian artists, craftsmen, and workshops across the empire. Far from disappearing after the destruction of Nineveh in 612 BCE, Assyrian artistic traditions continued to flourish under successive imperial administrations. This relief therefore stands as an important testimony to the **continuity of Assyrians and their artistic work**, demonstrating how Assyrian cultural and artistic heritage survived, adapted, and influenced visual production from Mesopotamia to Iran and the eastern Mediterranean. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-19-at-16.30.51.png) Guardian winged sphinxes and wall reliefs in Persepolis, Iran. The Athens relief reminds us that empires may collapse, but peoples, traditions, artistic knowledge, and cultural memory often endure for centuries thereafter. The survival of distinct Assyrian iconographic elements in a Late Classical Greek context offers yet another indication that Assyrian civilization continued as a living cultural force long after the end of Assyrian political rule. *Source: Perseus Digital Library, Tufts University, Art & Archaeology Collection. Object record: “Relief with Assyrian Demons and Lions,” National Archaeological Museum, Athens.* ### Assyrian inscriptions and church foundations unearthed in Tur Abdin URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-inscriptions-and-church-foundations-unearthed-in-tur-abdin/ Last updated: 2026-06-17T21:31:11.000Z The discovery was made during road and paving works in the village, when workers uncovered stone blocks bearing Assyrian inscriptions near a water tower that had been constructed on the foundations of an old Assyrian church. Following reports of the find, representatives of the Assyrian Association of Tur Abdin immediately traveled to the site to conduct field inspections. According to the association, the outlines of the church grounds can now be clearly identified. The area has since been placed under protection, with local gendarmerie providing security while investigations continue. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-17-at-23.19.04.png) Preliminary examinations suggest that the inscriptions are written in Estrangelo, the oldest and classical form of the Assyrian script. The association noted that the style of writing could indicate that the church dates back as early as the fifth century, making the site one of significant historical and religious importance. “The writing style on the stones is in Estrangelo, the oldest and classical form of Syriac,” the association stated. “This important detail suggests that the church and its inscriptions may date to the early centuries of Christianity in the region.” During their fieldwork, association members spoke with an elderly villager in his nineties, who recalled that Eştrako once contained twelve churches. His testimony adds a poignant dimension to the discovery. The village, once home to a thriving Assyrian Christian community, saw its last Assyrian inhabitants emigrate during the 1970s. The Assyrian Association of Tur Abdin has called for the site to be properly excavated, preserved, and integrated into the region's cultural and historical tourism initiatives. “Our greatest demand is that this historical site be cleaned, protected, and preserved as soon as possible,” the association said. “We are prepared to use our linguistic expertise and knowledge of regional history to decipher the inscriptions and contribute to a better understanding of this unique cultural heritage.” The association also expressed its gratitude to Police Commander Osman Deniz for his support and assistance during the field inspections. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/724752575_992812683390968_8073990785393158857_n-1.jpg) The sealed of site. Photo: Turabdin Süryani Derneği In a follow-up statement posted on social media, the association revealed an important historical clue that may help identify the church. Drawing upon archival information shared by one of its followers, the association noted that the British archaeologist, traveler, and writer Gertrude Bell visited the village during her travels through Tur Abdin in April 1911\. During that visit, Bell photographed a church in Eştrako. The archival evidence has strengthened the possibility that the newly uncovered remains belong to the historic Mor Aday (Addai) Church, a site previously documented but long lost from public memory. Eştrako, known today by its Turkish name Ortaca, is one of many ancient Assyrian villages in Tur Abdin that no longer has an Assyrian population due to centuries of genocidal attacks against the indigenous population. ### Dutch-Assyrians unveil genocide memorial after years of political deadlock URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/dutch-assyrians-unveil-genocide-memorial-after-years-of-political-deadlock/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T20:34:17.000Z For the Assyrian community in Twente in the Netherlands, a decades-long dream has finally become a reality, albeit not in the way they had originally envisioned. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Rising from the ashes: Assyrians rebuild historic monastery destroyed by ISIS URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/rising-from-the-ashes-assyrians-rebuild-historic-monastery-destroyed-by-isis/ Last updated: 2026-06-15T15:56:12.000Z During an emotional ceremony held in the Nineveh Plains near the town of Baghdede (also named Qaraqosh), the local Assyrian Catholic Bishop, Mar Benedictus Younan Hanno, consecrated a newly restored wall relief inside the ancient complex. The intricately carved masterpiece depicts Saint Behnam and his sister, Sarah–two highly revered 4th-century martyrs whose memory has anchored the Assyrian presence in the region for generations. The consecration marks the latest chapter in a monumental, multi-year rebuilding effort spearheaded by local churches and international heritage partners. Mar Behnam, a vital spiritual and cultural center dating back to the 4th century, had long served as a place of pilgrimage not only for Assyrians but also for local Muslims. This coexistence was shattered in 2014 when ISIS militants overran the region, driving out the local population, transforming the monastery into a base, and blowing up the sacred tomb of Saint Behnam. The monastery's priceless art, including the historic stone reliefs, was defaced or smashed into pieces. Following the liberation of the area, a painstaking reconstruction process began in 2017\. While the first liturgical services were held in the partially restored church as early as 2018, specialized artisans and restorers have continued working on the finer architectural and artistic details until today. The newly unveiled relief stands as a visible confirmation that the Assyrian community refuses to be erased from its ancestral homeland. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/Mar-behnam-1.jpg) Assyrian Catholic Bishop, Mar Benedictus Younan Hanno speaking at the event. The revival of Mar Behnam comes amid ongoing reflections on the tragic events of 2014\. While the atrocities committed by ISIS are well-documented, local Assyrian leaders and historians emphasize that the catastrophe was compounded by political and military betrayals. Before the jihadists overran the Nineveh Plains, the region’s Assyrian towns were under the security control of Kurdish Peshmerga forces, who blocked any attempts to form independent Assyrian security forces. Local accounts and human rights reports have long highlighted the inglorious role played by these Kurdish forces during the fateful summer of 2014\. As ISIS advanced, Kurdish troops unexpectedly withdrew from Assyrian towns and villages overnight, disarming local Assyrian self-defense committees beforehand and leaving the vulnerable population entirely unprotected. This sudden retreat left approximately 100,000 Assyrians with no choice but to flee into the night to escape imminent slaughter. Today, the survival of the Assyrian people in their ancient Mesopotamian heartland hangs in the balance. Of the 100,000 Assyrians forced to flee the Nineveh Plains during the 2014 onslaught, observers estimate that, at best, only half have returned. Many have emigrated permanently to the West, driven away by economic hardship, political instability, and the trauma of displacement. ### Ancient Shamash Gate in Nineveh Reveals Two Battles 2,500 Years Apart URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ancient-shamash-gate-in-nineveh-reveals-two-battles-2-500-years-apart/ Last updated: 2026-06-14T21:32:11.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "The Shamash Gate was one of 18 entrances into Nineveh. Ancient records link its construction to King Sennacherib, who ruled from 705 to 681 B.C. The gate connected the city to the east, along the road from Erbil to Nineveh. Inside the city, the route led toward major royal and religious areas, including Nabi Yunis and the palace of Esarhaddon. This made the gate a key point in Nineveh’s movement, trade, and defense. Researchers say the site now preserves evidence from two battles. The first was the fall of Nineveh in 612 B.C., when the city fell to invading forces. The second was the fight to liberate Mosul from ISIS in 2017." Read the full story [Ancient Shamash Gate in Nineveh Reveals Two Battles 2,500 Years Apart - GreekReporter.comNew research on the Shamash Gate in ancient Nineveh uncovers ISIS tunnel damage and rare evidence from the Assyrian capital.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-acc8f04b-4dc0-4ad6-915d-fa417906371b.ico)GreekReporter.comNisha Zahid![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/aerial-photo-of-the-shamash-gate-from-the-east-credit-timothy-harrison-ccby4-1-19d8a6b1-48ff-45fb-85d1-bf3e50087d2a.jpg)](https://greekreporter.com/2026/04/30/shamash-gate-ancient-nineveh-battles/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### From Assyria to the Netherlands: the life of a dedicated abbot URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/from-assyria-to-the-netherlands-the-life-of-a-dedicated-abbot/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T20:34:30.000Z Abbot Eliyo Atto, one of the founders of the Mor Ephrem monastery in Twente, the Netherlands, was a friend of young people, a brother to the elderly and a paternal teacher. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Suspect arrested in fire at Assyrian Church construction site; no religious motive found URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/suspect-arrested-in-fire-at-assyrian-church-construction-site-no-religious-motive-found/ Last updated: 2026-06-11T19:24:38.000Z Authorities in the small German town of Leimen, south of Heidelberg, are investigating the case as suspected aggravated arson. According to police findings, there is no evidence that the attack was motivated by religion or politics. The fire, which caused concern among members of the local Assyrian community and residents of Leimen, prompted fears that the church may have been targeted because of its religious identity. However, investigators have since ruled out both religious and political motives. Local officials welcomed the swift progress in the investigation. The Assyrian community is a longstanding and active part of civic life in Leimen, and the new church building represents an important project for the congregation. Authorities also credited firefighters and alert neighbors whose quick response helped prevent more extensive damage. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-11-at-21.23.25.png) Leimen Mayor John Ehret thanked the Mannheim Police Presidium for its rapid work, saying it was important for the community to have certainty that the incident was not motivated by hostility toward the church or its members. He emphasized the city’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and the safety of all residents. The criminal investigation into the exact circumstances of the fire remains ongoing. ### The forgotten fracture: how a 500-year schism divided Assyrians URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-forgotten-fracture-how-a-500-year-schism-divided-assyrians/ Last updated: 2026-06-10T21:39:13.000Z The schism, which began in 1364 and lasted until the mid-19th century, was not a battle over theology or dogma. Instead, it was a deeply human clash of egos, regional pride, and geopolitical manipulation that divided the Assyrian nation for generations. The rift ignited over a bitter personal feud. Patriarch Mor Ignatius Ismail, ruling from the majestic Deyrulzafaran Monastery near Mardin, excommunicated Mor Saba, the influential Archbishop of Salah, based on local rumors. Denied entry to the patriarchal seat, Saba’s furious supporters, consisting of the Assyrian clergy and village elites of Tur Abdin, refused to recognize Ismail's authority. In August 1364, they declared Saba as a rival Patriarch: Ignatius Saba I. Recognizing a golden opportunity to weaken his neighbor, the Kurdish-Muslim Emir of Hasankeyf quickly validated Saba's election, providing the political shield necessary to solidify the split.For the next 480 years, the Assyrian faithful navigated a bifurcated reality:The Patriarchate of Antioch (Mardin) which maintained the historical claim to universal leadership, operating primarily out of Deyrulzafaran, and The Patriarchate of Tur Abdin, with confined jurisdiction to the mountain villages and monasteries of Tur Abdin, operating out of Mor Jakob in Salah and Mor Gabriel. Remarkably, throughout this entire period, the liturgy, sacraments, and doctrines remained completely identical. An Assyrian villager in Tur Abdin confessed the exact same faith as an Assyrian merchant in Mardin, they simply answered to different spiritual leaders. Amid widespread political instability in the Middle East, a third faction briefly emerged in Sis (Cilicia), splitting the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch into three simultaneous lines. In 1495 bishops from Tur Abdin travelled to Mardin to sign a reconciliation treaty, temporarily submitting to the main Patriarchate. However, deep-seated regional rivalries caused the schism to flare up again shortly after. By the early 1800s, the Patriarchate of Tur Abdin began to suffer from internal decay. Multiple local bishops simultaneously claimed the patriarchal title, leading to fractional infighting within the mountain communities. Following the deaths and abdications of the final rival claimants, and facilitated by administrative centralization under the Ottoman Empire, the separate Patriarchate of Tur Abdin was permanently dissolved by 1844. The split collapsed in the 1840s also due to shifting political realities. As the Ottoman Empire centralized its governance, the local Kurdish and Arab emirs who had protected and exploited the division lost their autonomy. Without external political backing, and crippled by internal rivalries, the line of Tur Abdin dissolved. The last rival hierarchs stepped down or passed away, and the entire Syriac Orthodox Assyrian flock of Tur Abdin peacefully returned to the singular authority of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. Today, the schism is remembered not as a wound of heresy, but as a testament to the fiercely independent spirit of the Assyrians of the holy mountain. ### Rare Assyrian-period, mother-of-pearl seal discovered at Israels Tel Hadid URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/rare-assyrian-period-mother-of-pearl-seal-discovered-at-israels-tel-hadid/ Last updated: 2026-06-09T21:07:42.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. 'Of most interest is the second feature—the crescent on a triangular stand. Researchers identified this feature with the crescent-on-standard motif associated with Sin, the moon god of Harran in Mesopotamia. This symbol spread throughout the Southern Levant under Assyria’s domination. Koch and colleagues point to a parallel on a seventh-century b.c.e. tablet from nearby Tel Gezer. Next to the moon on a standard is the other triangular shape that has “leglike features,” as the authors describe it. Because of these human characteristics, they propose it could depict a worshiper. A cylinder seal discovered in the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, dating to the seventh century b.c.e., contains a similar triangular figure identified as a worshiper.' Read the full story: [Rare Assyrian-Period, Mother-of-pearl Seal Discovered at Tel HadidThe stamp seal features motifs common to Mesopotamia.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-befac722-0de1-4009-ad5c-af24c53fe121.png)ArmstrongInstitute.orgMicah van Halteren![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-202026-06-08-20at-2011.59.32-E2-80-AFAM.jpg-afa4eb17-406f-47b0-afe6-d0921766ced8.jpg)](https://armstronginstitute.org/1488-rare-assyrian-period-mother-of-pearl-seal-discovered-at-tel-hadid?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The Assyrian twin brothers building a sushi empire URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-assyrian-twin-brothers-building-a-sushi-empire/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T20:34:46.000Z Swedish-Assyrian twin brothers Sargon and Ninos George have built Sushi Yama, a nation wide sushi chain with with more than 400 employees and a turnover of 450 million SEK. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The fifteen purely Assyrian villages of the Tur Abdin Region URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-fifteen-purely-assyrian-villages-of-the-tur-abdin-region/ Last updated: 2026-06-07T21:16:52.000Z Given the dramatic decline of the Assyrian population in Assyria over recent decades, it can be difficult to find places where one can still experience traditional Assyrian life. Nevertheless, there remain a number of locations where visitors can gain a genuine sense of being in Assyria proper. Tur Abdin, one of the regions of Assyria most severely affected by genocide, persecution, and emigration, still boasts fifteen villages inhabited exclusively by Assyrians. Many of the other Assyrian villages in the region have a strong Assyrian presence but have been settled partly by Kurdish settlers. A number of villages however have been completely taken over by Kurdish settlers to the region. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/Arbo.png) **The list of pure Assyrian villages of Tur Abdin:** 1. **Miden** (Turkish Öğündük) Miden is one of the biggest remaining Assyrian villages in terms of permanent inhabitants. It is also one of the few villages in the region that boasts a large pond. 2. **Bsorino** (Turkish imposed name Haberli) 3. **Hah** (Turkish imposed name Anıtlı) Hah was recently named the most beautiful village in Turkey. 4. **Beth Kustan** (also spelled Bequsyone) Beth Kustan is the first Assyrian village to reclaim its original name. The Turkish imposed name, Alagöz, is no longer official for the village. 5. **Dayro du Slibo** (Turkish Çatalçam) 6. **Arkah** (Turkish imposed name Üçköy) Arkah is one of the few villages that was never abandoned and is today the most populous village and arguably the most well-developed. 7. **Arbo** Arbo is the second village to regain its Assyrian name as its official name. 8. **Beth Debe** (also spelled Badibe) (Turkish imposed name Dibek) 9. **Kharabe Mishka** (Turkish imposed name Dağiçi) 10. **Sedari** (Turkish imposed name Üçyol) 11. **Mor Bobo** (Turkish imposed name Günyurdu) 12. **Qritho di Cito** 13. **Bnebil** (Turkish imposed name Bülbül) Bnebil is the only remaining purely Assyrian village located in the vicinity of the provincial capital Mardin. It is also the only village whose Assyrian inhabitants speak Arabic. 14. **Sare** (Turkish imposed name Sarıköy) 15. **Ehwo** (also named Hbob) (Turkish imposed name Güzelsu) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-07-at-18.18.35.png) ### Cuneiform texts reach new audiences through digital archive URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/cuneiform-texts-reach-new-audiences-through-digital-archive/ Last updated: 2026-06-06T20:39:40.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "The new Arabic interface belongs to the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, known as CDLI. Scholars created the update through a project called Access to Cuneiform Texts, or CDLI-ACT. Teams from the University of Al-Qadisiyah, University of York, and Lund University worked together on the project. Many surviving tablets sit today in museums outside the Middle East. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, archaeologists and collectors removed large numbers of tablets from Iraq and nearby regions. Collections later entered major institutions such as the British Museum and the Louvre Museum." The full story: [https://archaeologymag.com/2026/05/ancient-mesopotamian-cuneiform-digital-archive/](https://archaeologymag.com/2026/05/ancient-mesopotamian-cuneiform-digital-archive/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### No justice 33 years after assassination of Assyrian MP URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/no-justice-33-years-after-assassination-of-assyrian-mp/ Last updated: 2026-06-04T19:58:48.000Z Francis Yusuf Shabo, born in 1951 in Mangesh (Duhok Province), was a prominent member of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM). He was elected to the regional parliament in Northern Iraq following the May 1992 elections, where he served on the parliament’s Economic Committee and was tasked with addressing complaints from Assyrians regarding disputed villages in the Bahdinan region, areas from which Assyrians had been displaced by the Iraqi government and later resettled by Kurdish communities. A trained civil engineer and graduate of the University of Mosul, Shabo entered public service and politics during a period of major political transition in northern Iraq. Following the establishment of the regional parliament in 1992, he also served as a representative in the regional legislature, contributing to committees focused on economic affairs, planning, and development. Within parliament, Shabo became widely known for his advocacy on behalf of Assyrian and Yazidi communities affected by land confiscation and demographic change. He consistently challenged illegal land seizures and called for the return of Assyrian villages and farmland to their rightful owners. His efforts earned broad recognition among Assyrians in Iraq and across the diaspora. As an adherent of the Chaldean Catholic Church, Shabo also promoted Assyrian national unity, consistently rejecting sectarian divisions and advocating for greater solidarity across church affiliations. According to the Assyrian Policy Institute, Shabo’s growing political profile placed him at risk amid the unstable security environment of early 1990s northern Iraq. He was shot dead on 31 May 1993 as he approached his home in Duhok. In the same period, another Assyrian political figure was also assassinated in Duhok. Lazar Mikho Hanna (known as Abu Nasir), born in 1933 in Mangesh, was a member of the Iraqi Communist Party’s Central Committee for the Kurdish dominated region. He also served on a three-member committee responsible for overseeing the financial affairs of IKF, a Kurdish group. Hanna was shot dead near his home on 14 June 1993\. No suspects were ever apprehended. Concerns surrounding political assassinations in northern Iraq during this period were documented by human rights organisations. In a 1995 report, Amnesty International stated it had received “numerous allegations” attributing assassinations to special units operating within Kurdish political parties, including the KDP, the PUK, and the Kurdish Islamic Movement (IMIK). The report further noted a widespread belief that such operations could not have taken place without the “knowledge, consent or acquiescence” of senior party leadership, to whom security and intelligence structures were ultimately accountable. While Amnesty did not specifically investigate Shabo’s case, its findings provide broader context to allegations of politically motivated killings during that period. For years, the identity of Shabo’s killers remained officially unresolved. In 2010, leaked Baath-era intelligence documents published by the Kurdish newspaper *Hawlati* reportedly linked the assassination to Wahid Koveli, a KDP-affiliated figure and Peshmerga commander. Despite repeated calls for accountability from Assyrian organisations, human rights advocates, and Shabo’s family, no criminal prosecution has followed. The controversy deepened after Koveli was publicly honoured following his death in 2016\. In 2017, a mural commemorating him was erected near the Assyrian town of Enishke, prompting widespread anger among Assyrians who viewed the tribute as deeply offensive and a reminder of the enduring lack of justice in the case. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/06/wahid.jpg) A 2017 mural near Enishke honouring Wahid Koveli, who was implicated in the assassination of Assyrian politician Francis Shabo. The monument remains a source of controversy among Assyrians (Source: Assyrian Policy Institute) Human rights reports and Assyrian advocacy groups have frequently cited Shabo’s assassination as part of a broader pattern of intimidation, violence, and political pressure directed at Assyrian activists who challenged land confiscations and demographic change in the region. More than 33 years after his death, Francis Yusuf Shabo remains a symbol of Assyrian political representation and resistance to the dispossession of Assyrian lands. His legacy continues to resonate among Assyrians who advocate for justice, self-determination, and the protection of their ancestral homeland. Yet despite the passage of time, no individual has been convicted, no official accountability has been established, and the case remains one of the most prominent unresolved political assassinations in modern Assyrian history. ### Assyrian Foundation of America Commits $150,000 to support Assyrian Studies Association URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-foundation-of-america-commits-150-000-to-support-assyrian-studies-association/ Last updated: 2026-06-02T20:24:48.000Z In a letter dated June 1, 2026, AFA President Jackline Yelda confirmed that the foundation has supported the Assyrian Studies Association since its establishment in 2019 through annual contributions. The new commitment will provide a total of $150,000 over the next five years. “On behalf of the Assyrian Foundation of America, I am pleased to confirm that AFA has supported the Assyrian Studies Association since its inception in 2019 through annual financial contributions,” Yelda wrote. “In recognition of ASA’s important work in advancing Assyrian scholarship and cultural preservation, the AFA Board has also committed to providing financial support in the amount of $30,000 annually for the next five years.” The Assyrian Studies Association welcomed the announcement, describing the pledge as a significant investment in the future of Assyrian scholarship and cultural preservation. The organization said the funding will help sustain and expand its academic programs, research initiatives, publications, educational projects, and efforts to preserve Assyrian heritage. Founded in 2019, the Assyrian Studies Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the academic study of Assyrian history, culture, language, archaeology, religion, and heritage. The association supports scholarly research, publications, conferences, and collaborations among academics and institutions working on Assyrian and Mesopotamian studies. The Assyrian Foundation of America, established in 1964 and based in California, is one of the oldest Assyrian charitable organizations in the United States. Its mission includes preserving Assyrian culture, history, and language while supporting educational, humanitarian, and community initiatives benefiting Assyrians worldwide. ### New Iraqi PM Visits Assyrian patriarch, urges diaspora return URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/new-iraqi-pm-visits-assyrian-patriarch-urges-diaspora-return/ Last updated: 2026-06-01T20:20:50.000Z During the visit, al-Zaidi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to preserving Iraq’s religious and ethnic diversity, describing Christians as an “authentic component” and indigenous part of the Iraqi people. He also called on Assyrian business leaders and investors living abroad to return and contribute to reconstruction, economic development, and infrastructure projects across the country. The meeting comes at a significant moment for Iraq’s Assyrians, who have experienced a dramatic decline over the past two decades due to war, instability, terrorism, and mass migration. Estimates suggest the Assyrian population in Iraq has fallen from approximately 1.5 million in 2003 to around 150,000 today. Mar Paulos III Nona, born Amel Shamoon Nona in Alqosh, was elected Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in April following the resignation of Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako. Before his election, he served as Archbishop of Mosul and later as Archbishop of Sydney, where he became well known among the large Assyrian diaspora community in Australia. According to statements released following the meeting, Patriarch Nona thanked the Prime Minister for his visit and stressed the importance of preserving Iraq’s religious and communal diversity. He also emphasised the need to strengthen investment opportunities and create conditions that encourage Assyrians abroad to reconnect with and invest in their ancestral homeland. The visit marks one of the first major meetings between the new Patriarch and Iraq’s recently formed government, signalling an effort by Baghdad to strengthen relations with the Assyrian community at a time when concerns remain over continued emigration, demographic decline, and the long-term future of Assyrians in Assyria. ### Building scams on the rise in Tur Abdin URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/building-scams-on-the-rise-in-tur-abdin/ Last updated: 2026-05-31T20:49:23.000Z A construction boom across Tur Abdin has led to the emergence of dozens of new building companies over the past decade, many of them lacking the experience and professionalism required for major projects. As Assyrians continue investing in the restoration of ancestral homes and the construction of new properties in their villages, growing numbers are reporting dissatisfaction with the quality of the work delivered. Local residents allege that some contractors have taken advantage of the surge in demand, charging inflated prices while delivering substandard results. There are also concerns that elements of the construction sector operate in a coordinated manner, limiting competition and making it difficult for customers to find reliable alternatives. The issue has particularly affected members of the Assyrian diaspora who often oversee projects from abroad and must rely heavily on local contractors. Many homeowners say they have encountered poor workmanship, missed deadlines, and unexpected cost increases during construction and renovation projects. ### The surprisingly simple method Assyrian scribes used to create clay tablets URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-surprisingly-simple-method-assyrian-scribes-used-to-create-their-clay-tablets/ Last updated: 2026-05-31T20:42:14.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. There, inside an elite residence, a room was discovered containing more than 200 broken tablets, a large **block of raw clay** (one meter high, 1.9 wide, and 1.6 long), and what could be a tiny **bronze stylus**. The context, dated just before the fall of Nineveh in 612 BCE, has been interpreted as a possible *scriptorium* or tablet-making workshop. The research, led by Mathilde Jean (University of Paris Nanterre and the British Museum), analyzed in depth five of those tablets and the **clay clod** to answer three fundamental questions: whether all the tablets could have been made in that same workshop, which techniques the scribes used, and how to better interpret this archaeological space. The results, far from showing uniformity, reveal a surprising diversity of procedures and materials. Read the full story [A Cuneiform Tablet Workshop Found in Ancient Nineveh Reveals That Assyrian Scribes Never Fired or Carefully Prepared ThemAn international team of archaeologists and scientists has shed light on how the famous cuneiform writing tablets were manufactured in ancient Assyria. The study, published in the journal Archaeometry, focuses on an exceptional discovery made between 2019 and 2023 in the city of Nineveh, present-day![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-logo-square-0d98ba-270x270-0ee09f7505c1ce67acf2a32cd8e3ae6877cee10e7aac1e65f4b00c5c186856a1.png)La Brújula VerdeGuillermo Carvajal![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/arcm70144-fig-0002-m-ae0810e12f57e03a82448a597507e19713960ce682cd77693a61371c8eba1c45.webp)](https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2026/05/a-cuneiform-tablet-workshop-found-in-ancient-nineveh-reveals-that-assyrian-scribes-never-fired-or-carefully-prepared-them/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The cult of Eshai URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-cult-of-eshai/ Last updated: 2026-05-28T21:56:43.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Yet this did not deter Mar Eshai from pursuing the plan to consolidate power in his hands. He publicly attacked efforts to resettle Assyrians in Brazil (out of a fear that Catholic influence would grow), wrote letters to shut down the first Assyrian nationalist school in the Khabur valley of Syria, and denounced his enemies. His newspaper, *The Light from the East*, published in the United States, served as his personal propaganda arm. In the 4th issue of the newspaper published in March 1949, it launched a scathing attack on noted nationalist Assyrian leader Yusuf Malek, decrying him as a “Chaldean from Bagdad” who had no right to speak for the Assyrian nation without the consent of the Patriarch.[5](https://rabanpithyou.substack.com/p/the-cult-of-eshai?r=6m8160&utm%5Fmedium=ios&triedRedirect=true#footnote-5) Even in letters amongst supporters of the Patriarch, Malek was chided as a “Chaldean”, an outsider, who needed to be sidelined, much like previous opponents of the regime.[6](https://rabanpithyou.substack.com/p/the-cult-of-eshai?r=6m8160&utm%5Fmedium=ios&triedRedirect=true#footnote-6) Mar Eshai’s opponents began to point to an increasing trend of nearly dictatorial powers being exercised within the Church, along with rumors that if a nephew were born, the Shimun family would continue ruling the Church[7](https://rabanpithyou.substack.com/p/the-cult-of-eshai?r=6m8160&utm%5Fmedium=ios&triedRedirect=true#footnote-7), culminating in a split partially encouraged by the Iraqi Government and secondly by disaffected community leaders in 1964." Read the full article: [The Cult of EshaiAn Opinion Piece on the Mindset of the Assyrian Church of the East And Nationalism![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/icon-c9696b80065084321442a0fcf3c51bef6ccf24adf0240f5d94f08ba97271e7c5.svg)Pithyou MazarnayaPithyou Mazarnaya![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F43d06d40-5655-45cf-99a9-3f3fe590a86a_1254x1254-16dac21592a91ceaa02d6447f3ff279f7fd05904c0102be66be9caeaaccdf428.png)](https://rabanpithyou.substack.com/p/the-cult-of-eshai?r=6m8160&utm%5Fmedium=ios&triedRedirect=true) ### Villagers reject solar project threatening Turabdin heritage URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/villagers-reject-solar-project-threatening-turabdin-heritage/ Last updated: 2026-05-27T21:16:53.000Z The G25-Mardin Solar Power Plant, expected to generate 40 megawatts of electricity, is being built on village land traditionally used for agriculture and livestock. Local residents and diaspora Assyrians say the project threatens the fragile revival of Assyrian life in the region, where some families have recently returned and invested in restoring villages and heritage sites. In an official objection, the Ayn Wardo Association stated that the project could harm water resources, disrupt farming activities, and negatively affect the village’s historic landscape and tourism potential. The group called on authorities to suspend the project and consult directly with residents. Ayn Wardo is considered one of the most important Assyrian settlements in Tur Abdin, known for its ancient churches, traditional stone homes, and centuries-old religious heritage. Community leaders fear industrial development could permanently alter the character of the area. [Returning diaspora families build entire neighborhood in ancestral villageEleven Assyrian diaspora families with roots from the village of Ainwardo in the Turabdin Region have returned after 45 years abroad. Their comeback, however, has not been welcomed by all.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-6d3a0917c3e204f958e17d76516f486f44353759f3805dc09e6201f95b0d72e9.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Sk--rmavbild-2025-09-25-kl.-21.22.34-5c7656aca69ef10df5fe84ae57b1f154eb3f43a97c612550241a0c8e956958a9.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/returning-diaspora-families-build-entire-neighborhood-in-ancestral-village/) ### Will the third generation of European Assyrians keep the language? URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/will-the-third-generation-of-european-assyrians-keep-the-language/ Last updated: 2026-05-25T20:39:29.000Z The reasons for leaving were layered. First came economic pressure and discrimination from local Kurdish-Muslim neighbors, combined with widespread poverty that made life in the villages unsustainable. This was followed by the escalating conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state in the 1980s and 1990s. During this period, the so-called “Kurdish-Muslim village guards” system and the violence that came with it led to countless murders of innocent Assyrians, forced evictions, and the abandonment of entire villages. Caught between these forces, an entire generation found safety in Western Europe. The roots of this diaspora are deeply tied to specific ancient soil. The pioneering wave of migration was carried by families originating from a network of historic villages and towns across Tur Abdin. In the decades that followed, this core community was expanded by subsequent waves of Assyrian refugees fleeing instability in Syria, Iraq, and Iran. Five decades after the initial arrivals, this community shows a unique sociological trait: endogamy rates remain exceptionally high. Unlike many other diaspora groups, the majority of second-generation Assyrians still marry more or less within their own community. Yet, sociolinguists warn that marrying another Assyrian is no longer a guarantee that the language will survive. The third generation is standing at a linguistic crossroads, and their ancient tongue is facing an existential threat. ### The Illusion of the "Assyrian Bubble" There is a common misconception among diaspora parents that if both mother and father share the same heritage, the child will automatically pick up the native tongue. Migration linguistics shows this isn’t true. For a minority language to thrive across generations, it helps when families find small, joyful ways to keep it present in daily life. This follows the classic Three-Generation Rule: The first generation speaks the heritage language exclusively. The second generation grows up bilingual, fluent in German or Swedish while still understanding their parents. By the third generation, pressure from schools, media, and peers is so overwhelming that the heritage language often becomes more passive. Many children understand their grandparents but reply in the host country’s language. Because Assyrian is primarily an oral tradition in the diaspora–lacking state backing, school curricula, or high-budget children’s media–small, playful moments in the language can make a big difference. Developmental psychology suggests there are two periods where children pick up languages most naturally: The first window stretches from birth to age 3\. During these years, a child’s brain is especially open to sounds and rhythms. If Assyrian is part of daily life through songs, stories, and play, it often feels natural to them later on. During the second window, from 3 to 7, children can still absorb a lot through play, games, and simple conversations. After starting kindergarten, the host country’s language usually becomes dominant. If Assyrian has been a warm, familiar part of home life before this point, it tends to stay with them as something positive. After age 7, learning takes more conscious effort. It’s still possible and valuable, but the playful, effortless feeling changes. For second-generation Assyrian parents who’d like to pass on the language, linguists and community members share a few ideas that have worked in other families. Think of these as suggestions, not rules. The goal is connection, not pressure. Some families choose short moments in the day—dinner time, bedtime, or Sunday morning—where they speak Assyrian. It doesn’t have to be all day. Even 15-20 minutes of songs, jokes, or storytelling can create warm memories. Grandparents often love telling stories, singing old songs, or playing simple games in Assyrian. Children respond well when it feels like play, not a lesson. Moreover, if a child answers in German or Swedish, you can calmly repeat it back in Assyrian and keep the conversation going. No correction, no pressure—just a natural flow back into the language. Online language resources and community-made songs and videos can make the language feel alive. Let children choose what they like, and keep it light. Kindergarten and early school years are when outside languages grow fast. Continuing with small, fun Assyrian moments during this time helps the language feel like part of family life, not an extra task. ### Life sentence in murder of Assyrian-Swedish rapper Gaboro URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/life-sentence-in-murder-of-assyrian-swedish-rapper-gaboro/ Last updated: 2026-05-23T20:13:21.000Z Gaboro was shot and killed in December 2024 inside a parking garage in the Swedish city of Norrköping, one day before his 24th birthday. The murder drew widespread attention after footage of the attack, reportedly filmed by the gunman himself, circulated online shortly after the incident. Swedish police described the killing as “a pure execution” and one of the most brutal murder investigations they had encountered. According to Swedish prosecutors, a 22-year-old man was charged with murder and aggravated weapons offences, while another man faced charges related to assisting the crime. Investigators alleged the shooter fired at least ten shots at the rapper as he attempted to flee. Authorities believe the killing was financially motivated and linked to Sweden’s ongoing gang conflicts, with reports suggesting the suspect had allegedly been recruited through encrypted chat groups. This week, Swedish courts sentenced the 22-year-old, identified in reports as Alexander Nord, to life imprisonment for the murder. A second accused man was acquitted of involvement. The court reportedly stated that the killer acted with a “frightening indifference to human life.” Investigators were eventually able to identify the suspect through DNA evidence and family-searching forensic techniques after a vehicle connected to the murder was discovered abandoned. Prosecutors also alleged the gunman had expected payment for carrying out the killing and for filming the attack. Known for concealing his identity behind a ski mask and sunglasses, Gaboro had become one of the more recognisable names in Swedish hip-hop, accumulating millions of streams online. His stage name, “Gaboro,” means “strong man or warrior” in the Western dialect of the Assyrian language. Songs such as “Browski” and “Harki” helped establish his growing popularity in Sweden’s rap scene. As one of several rising Assyrian-background rappers emerging from Sweden, Gaboro formed part of a broader cultural wave that included artists such as Ricky Rich, Ant Wan, Nineb Youk, G1ocatore and A36\. Their success reflected the growing influence of diaspora communities within Swedish music and popular culture, particularly among younger audiences. The case has also drawn attention to the broader rise in organised criminal violence across Sweden in recent years, particularly among younger generations in socially disadvantaged areas. While some Assyrians have previously been linked to criminal networks in cities such as Södertälje, Assyrian community leaders in Sweden have repeatedly stressed that such individuals represent only a tiny minority within a much larger and well-established community known for its contributions to business, sport, education, and civic life. ### How Ancient Assyria Used Religion to Become a Superpower URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/how-ancient-assyria-used-religion-to-become-a-superpower/ Last updated: 2026-05-21T20:47:39.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Religious policies have been utilized by monarchies and governments for political gains since the beginning of civilization. Few have done so as successfully as the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The kings of both the Old and Middle Assyrian periods provided their successors with the powerful framework that the Neo-Assyrian rulers used to subjugate other kingdoms across the Near East and become the biggest empire the world had seen until that point. Their ideology appointed their king as the representative of the gods on earth, and the gods wanted Assyria to expand and dominate the known world." Read the full story [How Ancient Assyria Used Religion to Become a Superpower | TheCollectorThe Neo-Assyrian Empire became the largest empire in the known world in the 9th century BCE, through a system of divine kingship and state propaganda.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-icon-12c2fa-44f8645545ca6c7209358baee24ec25085a11c0613ecd74e0955303535a4a5ef.png)TheCollectorHeather Reilly![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/how-ancient-assyria-used-religion-30b8ae0beef646d5ae9e2bca0158523a4cc19957c2d3b02d884b23d8a8615f9c.jpg)](https://www.thecollector.com/how-ancient-assyria-used-religion/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### UFC Star Beneil Dariush Visits Assyrian Community in Sydney Following UFC Perth URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ufc-star-beneil-dariush-visits-assyrian-community-in-sydney-following-ufc-perth/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T20:31:14.000Z Assyrian-American UFC fighter Beneil Dariush recently visited Sydney following his appearance at UFC Perth, spending time with the local Assyrian community through a series of meet-and-greet events, community gatherings, and school visits. During his time in Sydney, Dariush attended events hosted by Ur Ashour Assyrian Club and Assyrian Sports and Cultural Club, where hundreds of supporters gathered to meet the UFC lightweight contender. Fans had the opportunity to take photos, hear Dariush speak about his journey in mixed martial arts, and participate in autograph and Q&A sessions. At the Assyrian Sports & Cultural Club, Dariush was welcomed by a packed crowd and accompanied by Assyrian dancers in traditional clothing as he entered the venue. The event highlighted the admiration many Assyrians hold for the fighter, who has consistently represented his Assyrian heritage throughout his UFC career. Dariush also visited St Narsai Assyrian Christian College and St Hurmizd Assyrian Primary School, where he spent time with students and encouraged younger Assyrians to remain connected to their identity, faith, and community while pursuing their ambitions. Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished Assyrian athletes in the world, Dariush has long used his international platform to raise awareness about the Assyrian people. His visit was warmly embraced by Sydney’s Assyrian community, particularly among young Assyrians and aspiring athletes inspired by his achievements on the global stage. Despite recently suffering a defeat at UFC Perth, Dariush remains one of the most respected figures in the UFC lightweight division. The 37-year-old previously rose to as high as No. 3 in the UFC lightweight rankings and once held an impressive eight-fight winning streak that placed him firmly in title contention. Many MMA fans and analysts believe Dariush was unfortunate to miss out on a lightweight title opportunity during that period, as former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski received two title fights against Islam Makhachev while Dariush was still climbing the rankings. “I really do like Dariush. I feel for him,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “He should have fought for titles… I ended up taking where he probably would have been.” Following his most recent loss, questions have also emerged surrounding Dariush’s future in the sport and whether retirement could be approaching. While the veteran fighter has not announced any plans to step away from MMA, discussion among fans and media has intensified given his age and the increasingly competitive nature of the lightweight division. Despite the speculation, Dariush’s visit to Sydney demonstrated that his influence extends well beyond results inside the octagon, with many Assyrians continuing to view him as a source of pride and inspiration. For many in attendance across the Sydney events, Dariush’s visit represented more than a meeting with a UFC star. It was a reminder of the growing global presence of Assyrians in professional sport and the importance of successful Assyrians remaining connected to their community and heritage. ### After years abroad, Iraq’s Assyrians weigh returning home URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/after-years-abroad-iraqs-assyrians-weigh-returning-home/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T21:04:57.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "As many Assyrians, others like Dilan Adamat have made the decision to return. He is part of a group of people united by a single goal: to support displaced members of their community, now scattered around the world, to return home." Story by Joe Snell for Al Monitor. Watch and read the full story: [After years abroad, Iraq’s Christians weigh returning homeMatti Matti grew up in Ankawa, a Christian enclave outside of Erbil in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. He’s witnessed the town change dramatically as Iraq’s Christian population has collapsed, from 1.5 million in 2003 to fewer than 150,000 today.As many Assyrians, Chaldeans and Syriacs leave — terms often used interchangeably — others like Dilan Adamat have made the decision to return. He is part of a group of people united by a single goal: to support displaced members of their community, now scattered around the world, to return home.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-369a1cffc921abfa9df38b9b35a544140950d84ba4e9c494acd9a60daed37b56.png)AL-MONITOR:Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-202026-02-10-20at-201.03.42-E2-80-AFPM_cleaned-3df87bd0afe42e577f9e5162419fae96bf0cef5a493f2cefe488b44a4f730572.png)](https://www.al-monitor.com/videos/after-years-abroad-iraqs-christians-weigh-returning-home?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The Iraqi Assyrians I never saw URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-iraqi-assyrians-i-never-saw/ Last updated: 2026-05-18T22:03:14.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "What I didn’t know – what nothing so far had given me any category for – was that I was stationed amidst one of the oldest Christian communities on earth. The Assyrian Christians of Iraq had been here since the first century. They spoke a dialect of Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke. Their churches had stood in that city for longer than my country had existed. They were my brothers and sisters in the most literal theological sense. That gap in my understanding wasn’t an accidental oversight. The map my culture had given me for the Middle East was drawn in the categories of geopolitics and end-times prophecy. In Revelation, the bowl of God’s anger is poured out by the sixth angel over the ancient land of Babylon, modern-day Iraq, “on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East,” (Rev. 16:12), who would lead their armies along this river to Armageddon. Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds; friends, enemies, insurgents. The ancient body of Christ still living in the shadow of that tower had been entirely left out of the picture." Read the full story: [The Iraqi Christians I Never SawAn American veteran comes to terms with the consequences of a war he believed was righteous.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/appletouchicon-01dc10a0d634a2da4f025e4eb17e90f6d87a75b3f2ace8a8ec04f315b9985f34.png)PloughR .T. Hadley![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/hadleysocial-d9b23d35c43d3ef3633b0508e420f3c33df905fcc4068b2464fa57154689b729.jpg)](https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/the-iraqi-christians-i-never-saw?layout=amp&ref=assyriapost.com) ### Assyrian groups reject land distribution plan in Tel Keppe URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-groups-reject-land-distribution-plan-in-tel-keppe/ Last updated: 2026-05-17T18:14:06.000Z The statement, released on 17 May 2026 by the Assyrian Democratic Movement, and signed by two other smaller Assyrian groups, described the recent actions as “a clear attempt to impose a new demographic reality” in violation of the Iraqi Constitution and previous official decisions. The ADM warns that the measures threaten the historical presence of the Assyrian people in the Nineveh Plain. At the center of the dispute is the reactivation of the Jaber Bin Hayyan Foundation Employees Complex project, which includes the distribution of 1,600 residential plots in the Qabr Maryam area of Tel Keppe District. According to the parties, the project is rooted in decisions issued by the dissolved Revolutionary Command Council during the former Baathist regime in 1992 and 1993\. They argue that those decisions were originally intended to alter the demographic composition of historically Assyrian areas by confiscating and extinguishing agricultural lands owned by residents of Tel Keppe. The parties pointed to Governing Council Decision No. 50, issued on 29 May 2003, which annulled all decrees and measures enacted by the former regime that aimed to change Iraq’s demographic and political realities. They also cited Article 23 of the Iraqi Constitution, which prohibits property ownership for the purpose of demographic change. In their statement, the parties accused local authorities of violating the constitution and disregarding the rights of original landowners by proceeding with settlement procedures, road openings, and residential block planning tied to the project. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/05/Nineveh-province.jpg) Tel Keppe is the name of one of the district of the Nineveh Plain Region and also the name of the districts main town. The statement also strongly criticized ongoing efforts to legalize informal housing units in the Al-Qawsiyat area of Tel Keppe. According to the parties, approximately 6,000 informal housing units have been built on agricultural lands belonging to local residents. The parties argued that granting legal ownership to those settlements would effectively reward illegal encroachment while further marginalizing the indigenous population. “The continued legalization of these settlements represents the consolidation of a policy of imposing a fait accompli at the expense of the historical and legal rights of the indigenous population,” the statement said. The parties warned that the developments in Tel Keppe are part of a broader pattern of demographic change affecting the Nineveh Plain over recent years, which they say has contributed to the erosion of the Assyrian presence in the region. The joint statement called for the immediate suspension of all procedures related to the Jaber Bin Hayyan land project, the freezing of settlement legalization decisions in Al-Qawsiyat, and the opening of an official investigation into those seeking to revive annulled decisions from the former regime. The parties also demanded stronger protections for the historical identity of Nineveh Plain towns, respect for private property rights, and fair compensation for affected landowners within legal frameworks. Concluding their statement, the signatories warned that continuing such policies could threaten social peace and the historical diversity of the region. They also announced plans to organize demonstrations in different areas, with dates and locations to be announced in the coming days. “Our people will not remain silent in the face of any attempt to undermine their land, existence, and legitimate rights,” the statement declared. ### Court dismisses alleged hate crime in high-profile Santana Row assault case URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/court-dismisses-alleged-hate-crime-in-high-profile-santana-row-assault-case/ Last updated: 2026-05-15T17:41:09.000Z Chamaki, an Assyrian-American community member known for his involvement with the organization Assyrian Advisors, appeared in court this week alongside Roma and Ramon Akoyans in connection with a March 8 altercation in San Jose’s Santana Row district. Prosecutors formally charged the three men with felony assault and misdemeanor battery, but confirmed that the evidence uncovered during the investigation did not support hate crime allegations. The case gained national attention in the US after videos of the fight circulated online and early reports claimed the victims, two Israeli-Americans, were targeted because they were speaking Hebrew. Several public figures and advocacy organizations quickly characterized the incident as antisemitic before the investigation had concluded. However, prosecutors now say the evidence does not justify hate crime enhancements. “The information and evidence we have uncovered, upon a thorough investigation, does not support filing a hate crime allegation,” Deputy District Attorney O’Bryan Kenney stated following the arraignment. Defense attorneys representing the defendants argued that public opinion had been shaped by incomplete video footage and premature assumptions. Attorney Sam Polverino stated that many observers had “jumped to conclusions” without knowing the full context surrounding the confrontation. Supporters present at the arraignment included members of the local Assyrian community, many of whom expressed concern over what they viewed as unfair public vilification of Chamaki and the other defendants before all facts had emerged. Chamaki took to Facebook to express his thanks for the support from some community members, writing: "In moments like these, I’m reminded why I’m so proud to be Assyrian. The love, support, and solidarity our community has shown means more to us than words can express. When people are tested, you see who truly stands beside you, and our community has shown up with strength, courage, and heart." Chamaki has previously been active in Assyrian civic and community initiatives through Assyrian Advisors, an organization focused on professional networking and community engagement among Assyrian-Americans. The criminal assault case itself remains ongoing, and prosecutors indicated they will continue examining the motive and circumstances surrounding the altercation. The defendants are scheduled to return to court later this summer. ### Experts finally crack mysterious code in ancient Assyrian temples URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/experts-finally-crack-mysterious-code-in-ancient-assyrian-temples/ Last updated: 2026-05-14T21:07:55.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Worthington has spent years working on the enigmatic cryptograms, which were uncovered when the buried ruins of Dūr-Šarrukīn were excavated during the 19th and 20th century. In their short form, they consist of a lion, a fig tree, and a plough. In their longer form, five symbols appear in sequence, with the lion followed by a bird and a bull, then the tree and then the plough." [Experts finally crack mysterious code in ancient Assyrian templesAn ancient code that has mystified experts for more than a century has finally been cracked.The series of symbols appear in temples across Dūr-Šarrukīn, which was once the capital of Assyria.The Assyrian empire, which stretched across swathes of the Middle East between the 14th and 7th centuries BCE…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/img.png)indy100Harriet Brewis![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/image.jpg)](https://www.indy100.com/science-tech/assyrian-temple-code-deciphered?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The gateway to heaven: Understanding the Syriac Orthodox altar URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-gateway-to-heaven-understanding-the-syriac-orthodox-altar/ Last updated: 2026-05-12T21:46:21.000Z To the uninitiated, the layout of a Syriac Orthodox church may seem mysterious, but every stone, silk thread, and ritual movement carries centuries of theological weight. ### The Throne and the Tomb Architecturally, the Syriac Orthodox altar differs significantly from the central, often free-standing altars found in modern Roman Catholic churches. Positioned firmly against the eastern wall, the altar faces the rising sun, symbolizing the expected return of Christ. Theologically, the altar serves a dual purpose: it is both the Tomb of Christ and the Throne of God. At the heart of the altar lies the *Tablitho*, a consecrated wooden or stone slab. Without this tablet, no liturgy can be performed. It represents the Cross and is treated with such reverence that only ordained clergy may touch it. ### The Veil of Mystery Perhaps the most striking feature for those familiar with Western Christianity is the *Vilo* (the Great Curtain). While the Roman Catholic Church moved toward greater transparency after the Second Vatican Council, the Syriac Orthodox tradition retains the use of the curtain to emphasize the "Mysterium." Unlike the iconostasis of Byzantine churches, the Vilo is a simple curtain behind the altar, not an icon wall. The curtain is not a wall, but a dynamic liturgical element. It is drawn open and shut at specific moments to symbolize stages of salvation history. When it opens, it signifies the Heavens opening through the Incarnation of Christ; when it closes during the most sacred moments of the Eucharist, it reminds the faithful that the transformation of bread and wine is a divine miracle beyond human comprehension. ### Key Differences: East vs. West While both the Syriac Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions center on the Eucharist, their "altar culture" reveals distinct paths: - *Orientation*: While Catholic priests typically celebrate *Versus Populum* (facing the people), the Syriac priest celebrates *Ad Orientem* (facing East), leading the congregation toward God. - *Artistic Expression*: You will find no statues in a Syriac sanctuary. The church adheres strictly to two-dimensional icons, viewing three-dimensional statues as too "worldly" or "graven." - *The Sound of Angels*: A unique feature of the Syriac altar is the *Marwahotho*—liturgical fans decorated with bells. When shaken during the liturgy, they mimic the sound of the wings of the Seraphim, the angels said to surround the throne of God. ### A Living Heritage in Tur Abdin This ancient altar tradition remains a living reality in the monasteries and villages of *Tur Abdin*, the "Mountain of the Servants of God" in southeastern Turkey. For the Assyrian community here, the Madbho, Tablitho, and Vilo are not museum pieces but daily reality. In monasteries like *Mor Gabriel*, founded in 397 AD near Midyat, *Mor Hananyo* near Mardin, *Mor Augin*, and *Mor Malke*, the Liturgy of Saint James is still celebrated in Classical Syriac, the language of Jesus. - *Mor Augin Monastery*, founded in the 4th century, lies 15 km east of Nusaybin near the Syrian border. It is one of the oldest monastic centers in the region and a key site for Syriac monasticism. - *Mor Malke Monastery* is located 8 km southeast of Midyat, perched on a hill overlooking the Tur Abdin plain. It has served the local Assyrian community for over a millennium. Despite centuries of hardship and a dwindling population of only a few thousand Assyrians left in the region, the altar stands unchanged. The curtain still opens and closes, the Marwahotho still ring, and the Tablitho remains the unshakable center of worship. For the faithful of Tur Abdin, the altar is both a link to the apostolic era and an act of cultural survival. ### A Living Heritage The use of the Assyrian Neo-Aramaic language and the preservation of ancient rituals make the Syriac Orthodox altar one of the most well-preserved links to early Christianity. For the faithful, standing before the curtain is not about being excluded from the ritual, but about being invited into a sacred space where the earthly and the heavenly become one. As one observer noted, "In the West, we try to explain the miracle; in the East, we simply draw the curtain and worship it." ### Kevin Yakob wins Danish Superliga title URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/kevin-yakob-wins-danish-superliga-title/ Last updated: 2026-05-11T20:52:26.000Z The triumph marks one of the biggest achievements of Yakob’s career to date and sees AGF crowned champions of Denmark for the first time in decades. By winning the league, AGF have also qualified for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers next season, giving the Aarhus-based side the opportunity to compete on Europe’s biggest club stage. [Kevin Yakob named in Danish Superliga Team of the weekAssyrian footballer Kevin Enkido Yakob has earned selection in the Danish Superliga Team of the Week, representing AGF Aarhus following a series of outstanding performances.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Kevin-Yakob.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kevin-yakob-named-in-danish-superliga-team-of-the-week/) Yakob played a key role throughout the campaign, earning praise for his performances in midfield and establishing himself as one of the standout players in the Danish Superliga. The Gothenburg-born midfielder has become known for his technical quality, progressive passing, and distinctive “Baggiye” celebration, where he imitates the traditional Assyrian dance after scoring. The title win caps off a remarkable period for the Iraqi international. Earlier this year, Yakob was also part of the Iraq national team squad that qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — Iraq’s first appearance at the tournament in 40 years. Alongside fellow Assyrian footballers including Aimar Sher, Frans Putros, Peter Gwargis and Rebin Sulaka, Yakob helped guide Iraq back onto the world stage. Iraq’s qualification now sets the stage for some of the biggest matches in the nation’s modern football history. Iraq are scheduled to face France, Norway, and Senegal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning Yakob could potentially come up against global stars such as Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland on football’s biggest stage. [Assyrian players help Iraq qualify for 2026 World Cup on AkituFive Assyrian footballers–Aimar Sher, Kevin Yakob, Rebin Sulaka, Peter Gwargis, and Frans Putros–were part of the Iraq national team squad that secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, achieving the milestone on the same day as Akitu, the Assyrian New Year, in Monterrey.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Assyrian-Iraq-1.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-players-help-iraq-qualify-for-2026-world-cup-on-akitu/) Yakob began his football journey at Assyrian club Assyriska BK in Gothenburg before progressing through the academies of IFK Göteborg and BK Häcken in Sweden's Allsvenskan. After spells in Sweden, he eventually joined AGF Aarhus, where he has now developed into one of the league’s premier midfielders. With a Danish league title now added to his résumé, Kevin Yakob’s rise continues to gather momentum. From his beginnings at Assyriska BK to becoming a league champion in Denmark and a World Cup-qualified international with Iraq, the midfielder is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most successful Assyrian footballers of his generation. ### 3,200-year-old Assyrian perfume reborn URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/3-200-year-old-assyrian-perfume-reborn/ Last updated: 2026-05-10T19:38:09.000Z Dated to the 13th century BC, the Middle Assyrian period, clay tablet KAR 220 was discovered in the ancient capital of Assur. The text describes a complex distillation process that lasted several days and nights. As *Belatekallim*, or “female overseer of the palace,” Taputi crafted fragrances for the royal court. Thanks to the work of scent specialist Bihter Türkan Ergül and a team of Turkish scientists, this ancient aroma has been reconstructed. The analysis reveals a sophisticated blend of botanicals, many of which are still revered in the Near East today. The ingredients identified include: - Cyperus (Nut Grass): Providing a woody, earthy base. - Myrrh: A resin known for its deep, balsamic sweetness. - Calamus (Sweet Flag): Adding a spicy, lemony note. - Myrtle: Contributing a fresh, herbal top note. - Balsam, cypress root, various blossoms and oils: Used as carriers and aromatic enhancers through a meticulous process of boiling, distilling, filtering, and cooling. The revival of this fragrance is more than a laboratory success; it is a cultural bridge to the Assyrians of Tur Abdin (the "Mountain of the Servants of God") in modern-day Southeastern Turkey. For the contemporary Assyrian people, these ingredients are not mere historical artifacts. In the ancient monasteries and villages of Tur Abdin, such as Mor Gabriel or Mor Hananyo, the use of aromatic resins and herbs remains central to daily and spiritual life. The calamus and myrrh mentioned in Taputi-Belatekallim’s 3,200-year-old recipe are among the same resins that still permeate Assyrian churches today during the liturgy. The holy anointing oil (Muron), used by the Syriac Orthodox Church, continues a 3,000-year Mesopotamian tradition of sacred perfumery first documented by Taputi. While Muron follows the biblical prescription of Exodus 30, its ingredients and the craft of distillation reflect the same meticulous techniques pioneered in Assyria. Just as Taputi crafted fragrances for the royal court of Assur, the Assyrians have continued to preserve a heritage where scent is a vehicle for the divine and a mark of cultural identity. ### Iraqi Assyrian bloc demands representation based on election results in new cabinet URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/iraqi-assyrian-bloc-demands-representation-based-on-election-results-in-new-cabinet/ Last updated: 2026-05-07T21:41:30.000Z During a press conference in Baghdad, MP Kaldo Ramzi stated that Assyrian participation in the incoming cabinet must reflect the “real parliamentary weight” produced through the ballot box rather than backroom agreements among larger political factions. The statement comes as Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi continues negotiations over ministerial allocations and cabinet formation. [Assyrian-Iraqi MP:s announce formation of parliamentary blocThe three Assyrian MP:s elected recently to the Iraqi parliament announced the formation of a bloc to represent Assyrians and other non-muslim groups in the country.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Bloc.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/a-2/) The Suyana bloc currently holds three of the five parliamentary seats reserved for Iraq’s Assyrian community, making it the largest Assyrian political grouping in parliament. The remaining two seats belong to the Babylon Movement, led by Rayan al-Kildani, whose organization is closely aligned with the Coordination Framework and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Ramzi emphasized that genuine national partnership cannot be achieved if minority communities are marginalized during government formation. He argued that Assyrian representation should be based on electoral legitimacy and constitutional rights, not imposed political settlements. Under Iraq’s electoral system, five quota seats are reserved for Assyrians across Baghdad, Nineveh, Kirkuk, Erbil, and Duhok. These seats are intended to preserve minority representation within Iraq’s 329-member parliament. However, outside influence and bloc-backed candidates have continued to raise concerns among Assyrians. ### Assyrian oncologist brings cancer awareness to a wider audience URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-oncologist-brings-cancer-awareness-to-a-wider-audience/ Last updated: 2026-05-06T22:29:07.000Z Malki, a specialist doctor in oncology at Södersjukhuset in Stockholm, has become known in Sweden for combining medical expertise with empathy, humor, and accessible public communication. Through social media appearances, interviews, and now his new book, he seeks to make conversations about cancer less intimidating and more informed. The book was released by Bonnier Fakta earlier this year and addresses not only the medical realities of cancer, but also the emotional and psychological burden surrounding the disease. Drawing from patient encounters, scientific research, and personal reflections, Malki explains treatment methods, discusses lifestyle and prevention, and challenges common myths about cancer. In interviews surrounding the release, Malki emphasized that cancer remains difficult to discuss because it is strongly associated with fear, suffering, and loss of control. He argues that greater openness and knowledge can reduce anxiety and help both patients and families better navigate diagnosis and treatment. The release of *Den där sjukdomen* comes at a time when conversations about public health, prevention, and mental resilience are becoming increasingly important across Europe. By presenting complex medical issues in an approachable way, Malki hopes to reduce stigma and encourage people to speak more openly about illness and treatment. The book has already received positive attention from Swedish reviewers, who praised its accessible language and ability to communicate difficult medical topics without losing emotional depth. Malki represents a younger generation of Assyrian professionals using their platforms not only for career success, but also for public education and social engagement. [Her medical invention is valued at hundreds of millionsAssyrian-Swedish surgeon Miden Melle-Hannah’s special tool to puncture bladder cancer by inserting a needle through the urethra has turned her and her company into rising stars in the Swedish life science industry.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/8466cd4f2b082654_org.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/her-medical-invention-is-valued-at-hundreds-of-of-millions/) ### Whose land? Assyrians and the Kurdification debate URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/whose-land-assyrians-and-the-kurdification-debate/ Last updated: 2026-05-05T22:01:52.000Z The [article](https://www.newsweek.com/kurdification-northern-iraq-assyria-opinion-2045964?ref=assyriapost.com) argues that Assyrians, an indigenous Christian people of Assyria, continue to face systemic pressure under Kurdish political dominance in northern Iraq. It presents this as part of a longer history of injustice, including the violence of the early twentieth century when segments of the Assyrian population were massacred and displaced. This historical framing remains central to Assyrian identity today, which is shaped by a legacy of persecution, forced migration, and diaspora. Over the past century, the Assyrian population in Iraq has significantly declined due to conflict, instability, and emigration. At the core of the article is the concept of Kurdification, a term used by critics to describe policies or practices that alter the ethnic, cultural, or political character of disputed areas in favor of Kurdish identity. These concerns became more pronounced after 2003, when the Kurdish groups in control expanded their influence into territories such as the Nineveh Plains and Kirkuk. Assyrian activists have long claimed that this process includes disputes over land ownership, administrative pressure in contested regions, and the erosion of cultural and linguistic rights. The opinion piece points to specific areas where Assyrian villages have declined, suggesting a pattern of gradual displacement. The Assyrian situation is shaped by multiple regional dynamics, including Iraqi federal politics, Kurdish autonomy, and the influence of neighboring states. Assyrians have often lacked strong political representation or unified security structures, leaving them vulnerable to changes in governance and territorial control. Addressing these challenges will require a combination of legal protections, political inclusion, and safeguards for cultural rights. The future of northern Iraq will depend not only on the interests of dominant groups but also on whether indigenous communities can secure meaningful recognition and protection. The Newsweek article raises questions that merit serious consideration. For Assyrians, the stakes are existential. For Iraq and the wider region, the issue reflects a broader challenge of maintaining diversity and coexistence in a landscape shaped by competing national identities. ### Ancient Assyria sheds new light on importance of etiquette URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ancient-assyria-sheds-new-light-on-importance-of-etiquette/ Last updated: 2026-05-04T21:29:37.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. “Our analysis of etiquette suggests these were not religious gestures, as previously thought,” he adds. “Rather, the clasping hands gesture indicated that the hands had been active and that duties were successfully achieved. The pointing finger was simply a means of indicating specific sections within inscribed texts or images.” This work enabled Portuese to redefine etiquette in Assyria – a word that only emerged in France in the 1580s – as a set of conventions that regulate interactions between individuals. “We were able to develop the fundamental idea that people adhere to etiquette rules, in ancient Mesopotamia as much as today, out of fear of being excluded or ostracised from a group,” he notes. “Fear, in essence, is the real reason driving individuals to adopt and adapt to social rules.” Read the full story: [Ancient Assyria sheds new light on importance of etiquetteUnderstanding the role that etiquette plays in regulating individual interactions and group cohesion can provide new insights into how…![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)CORDIS | European CommissionCORDIS, cordis.europa.eu![](https://cordis.europa.eu/docs/article/images/2024-10/453758.jpg)](https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/453758-ancient-assyria-sheds-new-light-on-importance-of-etiquette?ref=assyriapost.com) ### First patriarchal visit to Gozarto after liberation from PKK militants URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/first-patriarchal-visit-to-gozarto-after-liberation-from-pkk-militants/ Last updated: 2026-05-03T22:06:47.000Z The Patriarch’s return is deeply personal; he was born in Qamishli, a city that has long served as a heartland for the Assyrian community in northeast Syria, or Gozarto. While born in the Gozarto, His Holiness’s lineage traces back to the Tur-Abdin region (in modern-day Turkey), the ancestral home of the Assyrians. The reception was a sea of church flags and traditional church hymns as thousands of Assyrians gathered to welcome their spiritual leader. For many, the visit is seen as a symbol of resilience for a community that has faced immense pressure over the last decade, especially by the PKK-linked YPG Kurdish militants that had sought to Kurdify Assyrian schools and conducted killings and assaults against Assyrian leaders. The visit marks the Patriarch’s first pastoral tour of the region since the political landscape of Syria shifted under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa. Following the fall of the previous regime in late 2024, the central government has moved to consolidate control over territories previously held by various factions. The visit is a stark contrast to his previous travels to the region. During one of his last visits, when Qamishli was under the control of the PKK, a Kurdish terror group, the Patriarch was the target of a harrowing assassination attempt. A suicide bomber, disguised as a priest, attempted to attack a commemoration of the Sayfo (the 1915 genocide) which the Patriarch was leading. While security personnel heroically thwarted the attacker, tragically losing their lives in the process, His Holiness emerged physically unharmed. For the Assyrians of Gozarto, the return of the Patriarch is also an opportunity to reflect on years of struggle. Many community members expressed that during the era of the so-called Kurdish Self-Administration, the Assyrian population suffered under policies they viewed as discriminatory. Reports from the region during that time frequently highlighted property expropriation, including the seizure of Assyrian-owned businesses and land by the Kurdish entity. The YPG was also guilty of educational interference through the persistent pressure and forced closures of Assyrian private schools over attempts to enforce a pro-kuridh curriculum. Assyrians also felt demographic pressure through Kurdish policies that many locals felt were designed to marginalize the indigenous Assyrian presence in favor of a Kurdish political project. ### Erasure in plain sight: Assyrians and academic bias URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/erasure-in-plain-sight-assyrians-and-academic-bias/ Last updated: 2026-05-01T20:05:03.000Z In her piece, titled [*“Propaganda of the Victims”: Atrocity Denial, Ethnic Nationalism, and the Disparagement of Assyrians in Middle East Studies"*](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/review-of-middle-east-studies/article/propaganda-of-the-victims-atrocity-denial-ethnic-nationalism-and-the-disparagement-of-assyrians-in-middle-east-studies/47263C562C196EEEC129BCF3055E6ED0?ref=assyriapost.com), Dr. Arbella Bet-Shlimon of the University of Washington delivers a stinging critique of how modern scholarship treats–or rather, mistreats–Assyrian history. She argues that a culture of "atrocity denial" and "disparagement" has taken root in academic circles, often shielding the perpetrators of violence from historical accountability. The title of the article is a direct reference to a 1974 essay by Khaldun S. Husry, who dismissed the 1933 Simele Massacre–where thousands of Assyrians were killed by the Iraqi army–as mere "propaganda of the victims." Bet-Shlimon demonstrates that this was not an isolated incident of bias. Instead, she argues that scholars have frequently used the language of anti-colonialism and anti-nationalism to de-legitimize Assyrian identity. By labeling Assyrian claims to indigeneity as "imperialist constructs" or "modern inventions," some historians have effectively paved the way for the erasure of their historical grievances. > **"The bigoted treatment of Assyrians is unusually persistent, however, and continues to appear in newly written literature"** One of the most provocative aspects of the article is the concept of "moral licensing." Bet-Shlimon suggests that by focusing almost exclusively on the sins of Western colonialism, some scholars feel "licensed" to ignore or downplay the violence committed by regional majoritarian states against ethnic and religious minorities like the Assyrians. "The disparagement of Assyrians is not just a matter of academic debate," the article suggests. It has real-world consequences. When historians fail to acknowledge the systematic nature of past atrocities, it becomes easier for modern political actors in Iraq and Syria to continue the marginalization and displacement of these communities today. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/05/Review-middle-east.png) The article also highlights a disturbing double standard. While the field has made significant strides in documenting the Armenian Genocide, the parallel experiences of Assyrians are frequently relegated to the footnotes or treated with skepticism. Bet-Shlimon also dwells on the constant questioning of Assyrian continuity, which is done in a way that singles out Assyrians as opposed to other groups and their claims of historical continuity. "Other modern communities in the region that exhibit some kind of linguistic or geographical continuity with well-known ancient peoples also have been put through this kind of pathologizing scrutiny. Notably, modern Greeks were subject to stereotypes and questions about their origins, similar to those aimed at modern Assyrians, in works by twentieth-century classicists and historians of the Byzantine Empire as late as the 1960s. As Maria Mavroudi has documented, some of these works are still in print and regularly reissued. The bigoted treatment of Assyrians is unusually persistent, however, and continues to appear in newly written literature", she writes. Arbella Bet-Shlimon calls for increased scrutiny of people who hide their belittling views behind academic credentials: "It has never been more urgent to scrutinize denialist reasoning in the academy in order to repudiate it comprehensively. For historians of the Ottoman Empire and the modern Middle East, and for historians of ethnicity and nationalism more broadly, the extensive disparagement of Assyrians reveals that such a repudiation will require rethinking, reframing, and perhaps even abandoning entire lines of scholarly debate", she concludes. ### From Survival to Rights: A Strategic Shift is needed in the Assyrian Collective Mindset URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/from-survival-to-rights-a-strategic-shift-is-needed-in-the-assyrian-collective-mindset/ Last updated: 2026-04-30T21:26:40.000Z The mental shift from a survival mindset (merely staying alive) to a mindset of demanding rights represents a pivotal and fundamental transformation in the trajectory of any human community that has long suffered from persecution, displacement, or political marginalization. In the Assyrian case—marked for centuries by turmoil and existential threats—this intellectual and psychological shift appears to be a historical and existential necessity, not merely one option among others. For although the survival mindset succeeded, temporarily, in preserving Assyrian existence during periods of genocide, exile, uprooting from the homeland, and racial discrimination, it also produced—once it became entrenched in the collective Assyrian mentality—constraints that limited their ability to act effectively on the national and political levels, leaving them trapped in a reactive posture rather than becoming initiators. In contrast, a rightsbased mindset represents a transition from constant defense to proactive initiative, from fear to confidence. It paves the way for moving from fragmentation and randomness to organized and effective action, and for relying not on the protection of others but on building one’s own capacity for selfprotection. Such transformations require deep awareness of the current situation, of the mindset in which we are currently immersed, of its limited results, and of its longterm negative effects on both the individual and collective levels. This shift will not occur spontaneously; it requires understanding the alternative and its requirements in terms of vision, institutions, and preparation. The survival mindset emerges from living in a turbulent environment where threats appear in various forms and levels, making personal and collective security a daily priority. In the Assyrian case, this mindset took shape over many years of massacres, forced displacement, policies of Arabization, Kurdification, and Turkification, political exclusion, land seizure and confiscation, economic marginalization, and restrictions on language and culture. All of this placed survival at the top of the priority list, making strategic thinking an unavailable luxury. Among the clearest symptoms of this mindset—visible in the Assyrian condition at the individual, communal, and even political levels—are fear of openly asserting rights, withdrawal, exclusive reliance on external protection, acceptance of the bare minimum of rights, and avoiding confrontation for the sake of safety. Also evident is a weakened collective selfconfidence and a prevailing sense that demanding rights will expose Assyrians to punishment or retaliation by dominant powers. Although the historical contexts experienced by the Assyrians justify the emergence of the survival mindset, they do not justify remaining captive to it. This mindset has left deep marks on the social and political structure of the Assyrians. It has reinforced division through competition over limited sources of security, pushing each group to seek protection from one dominant power or another, resulting in fragmentation of national and political decisionmaking. Moreover, the survival mindset weakens the ability to build independent institutions due to fear of being targeted, causing collective initiatives to become temporary and fragile. It reduces national and political ambition to merely preserving what remains, without aspiring to regain what was lost or to build something new. Culturally, it creates a state of constant defense of identity rather than developing and modernizing it. In the diaspora, individual concerns dominate, and the pursuit of personal stability overshadows participation in organized national collective action. Despite its temporary necessity, the survival mindset is incapable of forming a political project; it is a shortterm condition that cannot chart a strategic path toward a stable future. This highlights the importance of shifting to a rightsbased mindset—one that recognizes that Assyrians are not merely a minority seeking protection but an indigenous people with historical, legal, political, and cultural national rights. While this mindset acknowledges the realities of the past, it also recognizes that the past is not the sole factor shaping the present and future. It views Assyrians as agents of action rather than mere victims and believes that rights require proactive effort and are secured through organization, political work, and legal and diplomatic pressure—not granted automatically. The rightsbased mindset that is hoped for rests on clear foundations. Among them is the indigenousness of the Assyrians as a people in the geographic region spanning Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran, and that their presence is not accidental or tied to a particular historical moment, but is an extension of thousands of years of continuous existence. Another foundation is that their rights go beyond individual rights to collective national rights. A further foundation is that these rights are not a favor granted by any authority, government, or state, but are rooted in and guaranteed by international laws, norms, and principles of justice. Additionally, demanding these rights requires a clear strategy based on unified discourse and strong institutions. Transitioning to a rightsbased mindset offers Assyrians significant opportunities. It strengthens their political presence, places them in a position capable of effective negotiation, and grants them the status of a strong negotiating party. It also contributes to building robust institutions that can chart the path toward strategic goals instead of relying on external powers whose interests may shift. Furthermore, such a transition enables Assyrians to use the mechanisms of the international system, institutions of international legitimacy, and humanrights organizations to expose violations, thereby achieving the desired integration between the homeland and the diaspora. This hoped for intellectual transition is not easy; it requires psychological, cultural, and political changes, as well as time, organized work, and deliberate steps. The first of these steps is redefining Assyrian identity away from the image of the victim. Identity cannot be built solely on pain and the memory of tragedy, lest it become trapped in a cycle of dwelling on the past and escaping the demands of the present and future. In contrast, an identity grounded in awareness of rights and confidence in oneself produces fruitful political action. The second step is building a national framework that unifies the visions of institutions. The existence of multiple institutions is not a problem in itself; the problem lies in the absence of a unifying vision within which these institutions operate, each in its own way and through its own mechanisms, but according to Assyrian constants and national principles. This national framework would outline the Assyrian people’s goals while leaving the details of implementation to the institutions. A third step, no less important, is investing in education and culture for younger generations to build conscious actors in the national field, using modern approaches that align with contemporary requirements and effective methods of action. It also includes investing in spreading a culture of rights awareness and instilling a spirit of resistance to the current reality, for many Assyrians are unaware of the nature of their rights or how to demand them, and thus new, aware young leaders must be cultivated. The fourth step is activating the role of Assyrians in the diaspora. They possess significant latent political and economic potential and can form an effective pressure force if properly organized, supporting the resilient Assyrian presence in the Assyrian homeland and serving as a voice for the Assyrian cause in international forums. They can also utilize international mechanisms and international law, which provide important tools for indigenous peoples. Assyrians bear the responsibility of documenting violations committed against them and preparing comprehensive legal files concerning their situation. The shift from a survival mindset to a rights based mindset goes beyond merely changing rhetoric; it is a transformation in the way of thinking and in how reality is approached. It is a transition from fear to courage, from fragmentation to organization, from reaction to initiative. Such a transformation requires leadership, a prepared community, and a clear vision. In return, the reward is a secure and dignified future for the Assyrian people—a future not dependent on what others grant, but on what the people themselves determine through work, awareness, and perseverance. ### Penalty reduced in Sargonia Dankha murder case URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/penalty-reduced-in-sargonia-dankha-murder-case/ Last updated: 2026-04-29T21:08:19.000Z The case concerns the disappearance and murder of Sargonia Dankha, a 21-year-old Assyrian with Swedish nationality, who vanished in Linköping, Sweden, in November 1995\. For decades, the investigation remained stalled in Sweden due to the absence of a body, which legally prevented a prosecution for murder at the time. However, the case found a breakthrough in Italy, where Aldobrandi has lived for years. Leveraging Italian legal provisions that allow for prosecution based on circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies even without a body, Italian authorities reopened the file. Last year, a lower court in Imperia had sentenced Aldobrandi to life in prison, concluding he was the only person with both the motive, cited as "extreme jealousy and possession", and the opportunity to commit the crime. While the prosecution in the appeal trial had requested a confirmation of the life sentence, the judges in Genoa ultimately decided to grant general mitigating circumstances (attenuanti generiche). This adjustment led to the dramatic reduction of the sentence to 14 years. Defense attorneys Fabrizio Cravero and Mario Ventimiglia, who have consistently argued that Italy lacked the jurisdiction to proceed with the trial, expressed partial satisfaction. "It is a sentence that does not fully satisfy me," Ventimiglia stated, "but we are pleased that the penalty has been significantly downsized. We have already filed a request for his release from custody." The defense has confirmed they will appeal to the Court of Cassation, Italy’s highest court. The detailed written grounds for the appeal court's decision are expected to be released by late summer, with a final ruling likely in early 2027. For the family of Sargonia Dankha, who have fought for justice since 1995, the legal journey continues. While the reduction of the sentence may come as a blow to those seeking the maximum penalty, the Italian courts have, for the second time, officially held Aldobrandi responsible for a crime that went unpunished for twenty-eight years. ### Pope Leo XIV Confirms Mar Paulis III Nona URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/pope-leo-xiv-confirms-mar-paulis-iii-nona/ Last updated: 2026-04-28T21:07:14.000Z The move, announced by the Holy See Press Office on Tuesday, marks the final formal step in the succession of the largest Christian minority in Iraq. The 58-year-old Patriarch, previously known as Amel Shamon Nona, was elected by the Chaldean Synod during their meeting in Rome earlier this month. He succeeds Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, who resigned in March at the age of 77 after leading the church since 2013. Patriarch Nona’s path to the leadership of the Assyrian church is one defined by both deep scholarship and the scars of modern conflict. Born in 1967 in Alqosh, Iraqi Assyria, Nona was ordained a priest in Baghdad in 1991\. After earning a doctorate in Rome, he rose to prominence as the Archbishop of Mosul in 2010, becoming the youngest Catholic archbishop in the world at the time. His tenure in Mosul was cut short by the rise of the "Islamic State" (ISIS). In 2014, as genocidal militants advanced on the city, Nona was forced to flee alongside his flock, marking a tragic chapter for the ancient Assyrian Christian communities of the Nineveh Plains. [Bishop Amel Nona elected patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic ChurchOn Sunday, 12 April 2026, the Chaldean Synod elected Bishop Amel Shamoun Nona as the new Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, marking a significant leadership transition for one of the largest Assyrian ecclesiastical bodies.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Nona.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/bishop-amel-nona-elected-patriarch-of-the-chaldean-catholic-church/) Since 2015, Nona has served as the Archbishop of the Chaldean Diocese of Saint Thomas the Apostle in Sydney, Australia. His election marks a symbolic "return from exile" for the Iraqi church. As a significant portion of the churches followers now lives in Western countries such as Australia, the United States, and Germany, Nona is seen as a bridge between the traditional homeland and the growing diaspora. In a letter confirming the election, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the need for "everyday holiness, honesty, and mercy." The Pope’s recognition of Nona comes at a delicate time for Iraq, where Assyrians continue to navigate a complex political and security landscape. Patriarch Nona, who has chosen the name Paulis III (Paul III), is expected to take up residence in Baghdad shortly. His installation is scheduled for May 29, 2026. In his first statements following the election, the new Patriarch called for unity and prayer. "The challenges facing our church are indeed great," he said, "but our faith is greater and stronger." The Chaldean Catholic Church is an Assyrian Church in full communion with Rome, maintaining its own distinct Assyrian-language liturgy and traditions. ### The legendary 1915 defiance at Azakh URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-1915-assyrian-defiance-at-azakh/ Last updated: 2026-04-28T21:08:12.000Z The defense of Azakh (also named Beth Zabday) was not a spontaneous riot, but a calculated, professional resistance by the Assyrian population against a combined force of Ottoman regulars and Kurdish irregulars. Beth Zabday was Christianised at an early stage; according to legend, this was done by Mor Agai, the first bishop of Urhoy, and Mor Aho, also from Urhoy. A bishop of Beth Zabday is known to have existed as early as the year 120, and in the 3rd century the city was one of 17 bishoprics in the East. As the systematic Genocide known as the Seyfo (The Sword) decimated surrounding Assyrian settlements, the inhabitants of Azakh, a town of roughly 1,000 residents at the time, refused to accept displacement and massacres. Under the strategic command of Isho Hanna Gabre, the town’s defense committee transformed the settlement into a military grid. The Syriac Orthodox Assyrians exploited the town’s unique architecture: houses built of volcanic basalt stone were interconnected via internal passages, and the outer walls were fortified to create a continuous defensive ring. By August, Azakh had become a sanctuary, sheltering over 3,000 Assyrian refugees from more than 40 destroyed neighboring villages. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-22.43.37.png) The location of Azakh (Turkish Idil). The siege was not a mere tribal skirmish. It was a coordinated operation involving the Ottoman force under the direction of the Governor of Diyarbakır, Dr. Mehmed Reshid, providing the heavy lifting by the Ottoman state. Ottoman advisors and officers led two regular battalions of the 3rd Army, bringing with them professional mountain artillery and standardized logistics. Secondly, the Muslim Kurdish clans. Those were thousands of irregular fighters from local Kurdish tribes (including the Haverkan and Raman tribes) who were mobilized to provide manpower and local intelligence. They were promised the spoils of the town in exchange for their service. The fighting escalated in late October and early November 1915\. The Ottoman advisors positioned their artillery on the surrounding heights, aiming to breach the northern gates. However, the Assyrian defenders utilized a "defense-in-depth" strategy. The sniper cells were small units of Assyrian marksmen, including women like the legendary Zayte, who occupied high vantage points, picking off Ottoman officers and stalling infantry advances. Then there were the counter-mine. When Ottoman forces attempted to use explosives to breach the outer walls, Assyrian defenders, many of whom were skilled miners, dug counter-tunnels to neutralize the charges. The failed final assault came on November 7, 1915\. A massive coordinated charge led by Kurdish irregulars and Ottoman infantry was repelled. Despite having only about 700 armed men, the Assyrians used the town's labyrinthine alleys to ambush the attackers at point-blank range. By the end of November, the coalition forces faced a crisis. The Ottoman advisors were increasingly needed on the Caucasian and Sinai fronts of the World War. The Kurdish irregulars, having suffered hundreds of casualties for a town they could not take, began to desert. Realizing that the "fortress" of Azakh could only be taken at an unacceptable cost, the Ottoman military command eventually signaled a retreat. While a formal peace was never signed, the siege was lifted, leaving Azakh as an island of survival in a sea of destruction. ### Where was the Mar Kozma Church in Diyarbakır, why did it disappear? URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/where-was-the-mar-kozma-church-in-diyarbakir-why-did-it-disappear/ Last updated: 2026-04-26T21:22:29.000Z *Editor's note: The following is an English translation of an article published in a local newspaper in Omid (Diyarbakir), Turkey.* Today, only two old photos remain from Mar Kozma Church, which is located in the historical Alipaşa District of Diyarbakır. The church, whose construction date is stated as A.D. 330, is considered one of the important examples of the Assyrian architectural existence in the city. According to historical records, the Mar Kozma Church was located in the southeast of the Church of the Virgin Mary, the only surviving Assyrian church. Although there are no remains of this structure today, historical sources inform that the church is one of the early Christian buildings. Historian Van Berchem states that the Mar Kozma Church was built in 330 A.D. This information shows that the church points to the very early periods of Christian presence in Diyarbakır. One of these known photographs of the church that has survived to this day is Prof. Dr. It was published in Yusuf Kenan Haspolat's work "Diyarbakır Churches". The photos include the bell tower of the building, the cut stone walls and scenes from daily life around the building. According to the information at hand about the church, it is stated that a hymn book (Fenkitho) written in western Assyrian, which is estimated to belong to the Mar Kozma Church, is currently located in Mardin Kırklar Church. There are no longer any traces of the building from the Mar Kozma Church. Neither a wall nor a stone stands. However, rare photographs and some written sources in the archives continue to document the place of this structure in the multicultural history of Diyarbakır. [Diyarbakır’da Mar Kozma Kilisesi neredeydi, neden yok oldu?Diyarbakır Alipaşa Mahallesi’nde yer alan Mar Kozma Kilisesi’nden günümüze hiçbir fiziksel iz kalmadı. 330 yılında yapıldığı belirtilen bu yapının sadece iki eski fotoğrafı mevcut. Tarihi detaylar haberimizde…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/fav-icon-1.webp)CEGA MedyaNAZMİ KAHRAMAN![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/kilise-manset-2.jpg)](https://www.cegamedya.com/diyarbakirda-mar-kozma-kilisesi-neredeydi-neden-yok-oldu?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Why You Should Eat Like the Ancient Assyrians Ate URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/why-you-should-eat-like-the-ancient-assyrians-ate/ Last updated: 2026-04-25T21:39:52.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Assyrian Kitchen began with just a genuine desire to know how to prepare our culture’s food while living the professional city life. Growing up it was always grandma and mom in the kitchen, and cooking wasn’t something I was encouraged to learn. My piqued interest in cooking was met with, “Don’t you want to be a doctor, an engineer, or a lawyer?” In a way, I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole on this path of investigating our ancient foods, and I’ve became so fascinated with the idea that there is a huge connection between meals eaten by Assyrians 6,000 years ago and the meals enjoyed in modern Assyrian homes today." [Why You Should Eat Like the Ancient Assyrians AteAssyrian Kitchen’s founder shares lessons from the world’s oldest cookbook and other stories from ancient Mesopotamia.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Chicago MagazineSarah Conway![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_1788.JPG)](https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/march-2017/why-you-should-eat-like-the-ancient-assyrians-ate/) ### U.S. law firm explores legal action for victims of ISIS and Al-Nusrah Front URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/u-s-law-firm-explores-legal-action-for-victims-of-isis-and-al-nusrah-front/ Last updated: 2026-04-25T06:43:54.000Z The firm, Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq.–Injury Lawyers, stated that its New York office is exploring possible civil claims for victims affected by activities linked to ISIS and the Al-Nusrah Front. The announcement signals a potential effort to pursue accountability through U.S. courts for harms tied to internationally designated terrorist organizations. According to the firm, the investigation focuses on identifying individuals or entities that may be legally responsible for supporting or enabling such groups. If sufficient evidence is found, the firm indicated it may initiate civil litigation on behalf of victims or their families. Legal experts note that U.S. law allows certain victims of terrorism to seek damages through civil lawsuits, particularly in cases where organizations or third parties are alleged to have provided material support. These cases can involve complex international legal frameworks and often require extensive investigation across jurisdictions. The firm did not disclose specific cases or plaintiffs but emphasized that the inquiry remains ongoing. Individuals who believe they may have been affected are encouraged to come forward as part of the evaluation process. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/04/Kalegoros.webp) Tony S. Kalogerakos. Photo: Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq.–Injury Lawyers The move reflects a broader trend in which legal avenues are increasingly used to pursue accountability for acts of terrorism beyond criminal prosecutions, particularly in situations involving cross-border harm and non-state actors. Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq.–Injury Lawyers with offices in Arizona, Illinois and New York has been supporting Assyrian organizations and initiatives in the US for several years. The owner of the firm, Tony S. Kalogerakos, is of mixed Assyrian and Greek descent. ### Daniel Odishou Crisby: A life dedicated to Assyria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/o/ Last updated: 2026-04-23T20:56:10.000Z Born into a family marked by survival and resilience, Daniel Odishou Crisby carried forward a legacy shaped by history. His parents were among those who survived the Assyrian genocide of 1914 in Iran, a history that would profoundly influence his lifelong commitment to his people and heritage. Daniel was born in May 1936 in Habbaniyah, Iraq, approximately 80 kilometers west of Baghdad. At the time, the town hosted a British Royal Air Force base, providing a unique environment for the Assyrian refugee community that had settled there. In the mid-1940s, Daniel and his family returned to Iran, settling in Kermanshah, home to a significant Assyrian population. Wherever they lived, the foundations of Assyrian communal life remained strong—schools, churches, and Sunday gatherings formed the backbone of cultural continuity. From a young age, Daniel demonstrated a deep commitment to his language and identity. He learned Assyrian from some of the most respected educators of his time, most notably Miss Lucy Shahbaz, who courageously taught the language in secret despite official restrictions favoring Persian (Farsi). Students hid their Assyrian books beneath classroom floors to avoid discovery during inspections. Inspired by her example, Daniel began teaching Assyrian to younger children, often helping them with their studies. His early dedication was not without sacrifice. At times, he was compensated with eggs or goods rather than money, contributing to his family’s livelihood while also distributing Assyrian newspapers printed in Tehran. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for a lifetime of service. In his twenties, after moving to Tehran, Daniel became a driving force in revitalizing the Assyrian community. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he and his peers published books, poetry collections, language courses, and novels. They organized social events, founded sports clubs, and supported church administration, strengthening both cultural and communal ties. A defining moment came in the early 1960s when Iranian Assyrians hosted the founding constitutional meeting of the Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA), the first international umbrella organization for Assyrian groups worldwide. It was here that the “one-name policy” was adopted, affirming “Assyrian” as the unified ethnonational identity. Daniel believed that identity extended beyond language alone—whether Aramaic, Greek, or German. He often pointed to Switzerland as an example of how diverse linguistic communities could share a cohesive national identity. After studying literature at the University of Tehran, Daniel began his professional career with the Iranian oil company before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His diplomatic work took him across the globe, including to Japan, Finland, the United States, and Iraq. In the late 1970s, he made history by becoming the first Assyrian deputy ambassador of republican Iran to Sweden. After leaving diplomacy, he chose to remain in Sweden, where he continued his service to the community by teaching Assyrian and Persian in schools. Even in his later years, Daniel remained deeply engaged in the Assyrian cause, participating in discussions and community efforts well into the 2010s. Though illness led him to withdraw from public activity after 2020, his dedication never wavered. In recognition of his lifelong contributions, the Assyrian National Federation of America honored his legacy in a statement following his passing: “Throughout his life, Mr. Crisby carried his Assyrian identity with clarity and intention, working to preserve it despite distance and displacement. He remained deeply connected to our people and to the responsibility of ensuring that our heritage was not lost across borders and generations. There is a discipline in that kind of commitment. It keeps our language, culture, and national consciousness alive in real ways and ensures they are passed on with purpose.” ### What a Mesopotamian beer receipt tells about ancient drinking culture URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/what-a-mesopotamian-beer-receipt-tells-about-ancient-drinking-culture/ Last updated: 2026-04-23T20:27:51.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. “There are several texts at the National Museum of Denmark included in our volume that mention beer being used as payment to workers,” Dr. Troels Arbøll, from the University of Copenhagen, told the publication. “They are, therefore, administrative documents or receipts.” Supplied by a man named “Ayalli,” the haul of giggle juice comprised 16 liters of “high-quality beer” and 55 liters of “ordinary beer.” These party favors were reportedly slated to be divided among a coalition of workers, potentially for the ancient equivalent of a booze-fueled office bash. This find might seem anachronistic, but Arbøll pointed out that beer “was presumably high in nutrition and considered an integral part of how these earliest urbanized populations lived.” [Archaeologists discover 4,000-year-old beer receipt — tallying a staggering amount of boozeThey partied like it was 1999 … BC.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-icon-144x144.png)New York PostBen Cost![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/126036365.jpg)](https://nypost.com/2026/04/20/science/archaeologists-discover-4000-year-old-beer-receipt/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### "We Belong to This Land" URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/we-belong-to-this-land/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T20:44:29.000Z From the ancient alleys of Mardin to the bustling streets of Istanbul, Turkey’s Assyrian community is sharing a story that is as much about profound loss as it is about deep-rooted belonging. In a moving series of testimonies, Assyrians are breaking their silence on a century of migration, survival, and the bittersweet longing for a home that often feels like it no longer recognizes them. The latest work of journalist and writer Serdar Korucu, published by İstos Publications, tells the transformation of the Assyrian society in the last century, from the shadow of unknown murders to re-ignited hopes of a future. In this [interview](https://www.agos.com.tr/tr/haber/biz-bu-topraklara-aitiz-40147?ref=assyriapost.com), he explains his motivation for writing the book titled "We Belong to This Land". "What I am trying to do this time is to convey what the Assyrian society has experienced in about 100 years by following the footsteps of the news in the mainstream press and literature, from its own language", he explained. The book contains interviews with 38 different Assyrians, both from Turkey and the diaspora. "I still miss my hometown so much. Believe me, I even miss that dry soil," says one voice, echoing a sentiment shared by thousands who were forced to leave their ancestral lands in Southeast Turkey (Tur Abdin). A former member of the Turkish Parliament notes the historical decline of their political presence. While the Ottoman Parliament once had multiple Assyrian representatives, it took decades for the community to find a voice again in modern Turkey. This political marginalization is mirrored by physical displacement. One local from the region points to a painful irony in the city of Mardin: "We call it the 'Assyrian Quarter,' but there are no Assyrians left in it! It works like a mint generating tourism money, but it’s not the Assyrians who are earning from it." The testimonies do not shy away from the darker chapters of history. Descendants recall the horrific stories passed down by their grandmothers regarding the Pogroms of September 1955, describing scenes of extreme violence and fear that left deep scars on the community’s collective memory. Others speak of more recent tragedies during the conflicts of the 1990s. Families recall losing loved ones to landmine explosions and unsolved killings, still seeking justice and clarity decades later. "I want to know where the killers are," remains a common, yet often unanswered, plea. Today, while "Assyrian wine" and "Assyrian silver" (Telkari) are popular tourist attractions in Mardin and Midyat, community members warn that the culture is being commercialized without its people. Many products sold today under the Assyrian name have little to no connection to the actual community. Despite the scars of the past—the forced migrations to West Europe and the loss of properties—the underlying message remains one of connection. Whether through memories of historical visits by state leaders or the evocative music playing at family gatherings, the community asserts its place in the mosaic of Anatolia. ### Push for Assyrian genocide education in Australian schools URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/push-for-assyrian-genocide-education-in-australian-schools/ Last updated: 2026-04-21T20:46:42.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Supporters say the initiative is about strengthening historical awareness and ensuring students gain a more complete understanding of events that profoundly impacted these communities. The petition highlights what it describes as the systematic mass killings and deportations carried out under the Ottoman Empire, which led to the deaths and displacement of millions of Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks. Advocates argue that including this history in the curriculum would not only acknowledge the experiences of affected communities, but also contribute to a broader understanding of migration, identity and multicultural Australia." Read the full story: [ACT petition pushes for Greek, Armenian and Assyrian genocide education in schoolsA new petition before the ACT Legislative Assembly is calling for the inclusion of Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocide education.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/tgh-icon-ad-test-300x300.png)The Greek HeraldAndriana Simos![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/FEATURE-23-1.png)](https://greekherald.com.au/news/act-petition-pushes-for-greek-armenian-and-assyrian-genocide-education-in-schools/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The "beggar" bishop: How Jacob Baradaeus saved the Syriac Orthodox Church URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-beggar-bishop-how-jacob-baradaeus-saved-the-syriac-orthodox-church/ Last updated: 2026-04-21T07:18:57.000Z **In the dusty** borderlands of the 6th-century Byzantine Empire, a man dressed in soot-stained rags walked thousands of miles. To Roman soldiers, he was invisible–just another transient in a fractured empire. But to the Assyrian faithful of the Syriac Orthodox Church, this man, Jacob Baradaeus (Ya’qub Burd’ono), was the clandestine architect of survival. Jacob was born around the turn of the 6th century in Tella (also known as Constantina). While Tella was then a significant city in the Roman province of Osroene, its ruins lie today near the town of Viranşehir in southeastern Turkey. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-19-at-15.28.13.png) Location of ancient Tella, about 100 km west of Mardin. Following the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, the Christian world split. The Byzantine state, under Emperor Justinian I, enforced "Chalcedonian" orthodoxy, leading to the systematic persecution of those holding Miaphysite views. By the mid-5th century, the Syriac hierarchy was decimated; bishops were exiled, and the priesthood was dying out. Jacob’s mission required total secrecy. His very name, "Baradaeus" (derived from the Syriac *Burd’ono*), comes from the *barda’tha*–a coarse, patched-together saddlecloth or beggar's rag he wore to remain unrecognizable.Because his ordinations were considered illegal and a threat to the state, Justinian I issued an active warrant for his arrest. To evade imperial authorities, Jacob lived a life of constant flight. Contemporary historical accounts paint a vivid picture of a man sleeping in caves and stables, crossing borders in his beggar's disguise to stay one step ahead of the imperial police while traversing territory from Egypt to Persia. Under this cloak of poverty, Jacob achieved what seemed impossible. He restored the churche's hierarchy as he consecrated 27 bishops and two patriarchs, ensuring the continuity of the apostolic succession during a time when the leadership was nearly extinct. Ancient sources, such as the biographies by John of Ephesus, famously claim Jacob ordained over 100,000 priests and deacons. While modern historians view this specific number as a symbolic expression intended to illustrate his tireless devotion, the "core truth" remains: the sheer, massive volume of his secret ordinations was the decisive factor that allowed the church to survive. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/04/Syriac-Manuscript.jpg) An Assyrian manuscript While the Syriac-Orthodox Assyrians revere Jacob as a savior, the term"Jacobites"–coined by outsiders–remains a point of contention. For the community, this label is often rejected because it suggests the church was a new sect founded in the 6th century. "We are not a sect started by Jacob," is the firm historical and theological stance. "We are an Apostolic Church founded in Antioch by St. Peter." For the faithful, Jacob Baradaeus did not "found" the church; he was the bridge that allowed its ancient apostolic flame to survive a dark age of persecution. Beyond his historical role, Jacob’s humble and modest lifestyle serves as a powerful symbolic model for many Christians today. In an era dominated by materialism and consumption, his life of "holy poverty" is a reminder of the true values of existence. Jacob demonstrated that one does not need wealth or status to change the course of history. His willingness to renounce comfort for the sake of his community and faith serves as an invitation to modern society to step back from material excess and focus on spiritual endurance and service to others. Jacob Baradaeus died in 578 AD, but the church he stitched together in the shadows remains a vibrant global community today. He stands as the ultimate symbol of resilience–a man who proved that faith can endure even when hidden beneath the rags of a beggar. ### Assyrian schools in Northern Iraq: A pillar of cultural survival URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-schools-in-northern-iraq-a-pillar-of-cultural-survival/ Last updated: 2026-04-19T21:10:50.000Z **These schools operate** across Assyrian towns and villages in the Dohuk (Nohadra) region, the Nineveh Plain Region, and surrounding Assyrian areas. All core subjects, including mathematics, history, and the sciences, are taught entirely in the Assyrian language. More than three decades later, they remain among the few examples of comprehensive mother-tongue education available to an indigenous people in Iraq, serving as both centres of learning and pillars of Assyrian cultural and linguistic continuity. Today, 22 Assyrian schools funded by the Assyrian Aid Society remain operational across the region, while eight have closed in recent years due to sustained population decline in Assyrian villages. Despite their significance, Assyrian schools continue to face chronic underfunding from both the Kurdish Regional Government and the federal government in Baghdad. Unlike Arabic or Kurdish public schools, where all teaching staff are fully funded by the state, Assyrian schools are required to independently cover the costs of additional lecturers needed to deliver instruction in Assyrian. This structural disparity places a heavy financial burden on the schools and significantly constrains their capacity to operate effectively. To help bridge this gap, the Assyrian Aid Society has assumed responsibility for funding lecturers’ wages, while other Assyrian organisations have stepped in to provide essential support. Infrastructure presents another persistent challenge. Many school buildings are aging or in poor condition and depend on assistance from Assyrian charitable organisations such as the Shlama Foundation and Assyrians Without Borders for repairs, renovations, and basic supplies, responsibilities that would ordinarily fall under the remit of the state. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/01/2.webp) Photo: Baghdida Catholic Middle School (Source: Chaldean News) Remarkably, these schools have continued to produce strong academic outcomes despite these limitations. Data from the Assyrian Aid Society over the past 15 to 20 years shows that students from Assyrian public schools have achieved a university acceptance rate of 98 percent, significantly exceeding Iraq’s national average of 85 percent. Between 2005 and 2023, of Assyrian students admitted to higher education, 43 percent enrolled in universities ranked in the top quartile, 74 percent attended standard four-year universities, and 24 percent pursued studies at technical institutes. These results underscore that Assyrian schools function as far more than educational institutions. They provide safe, culturally affirming environments that foster a strong sense of identity and belonging. For many students, learning in their ancestral language cultivates a deeper sense of responsibility to preserve their heritage, an awareness that motivates academic achievement not only for personal advancement, but for the collective future of the Assyrian community. However, this model of mother-tongue education now faces an escalating external threat. The rapid expansion of private schools across Iraq has increasingly drawn Assyrian families away from the public system. As state schools continue to suffer from neglect by both the federal government in Baghdad and the KRG, private institutions, often offering superior facilities and English-medium instruction, have become more attractive to parents. While these schools may offer short-term academic advantages, their English-only curricula have coincided with a steady decline in the everyday use of the Assyrian language. Among younger generations, English is increasingly dominant in the home and social life, while Assyrian is marginalised, accelerating language erosion in the homeland. This concern has been echoed by Noor Matti, board member and co-founder of the Shlama Foundation, who warned in an opinion piece for *The Assyrian Journal* that the shift toward English-medium private education risks producing generations of Assyrians disconnected from their ancestral language. Matti argues that without sustained investment in Assyrian-language public schools, linguistic loss becomes an unintended consequence of educational reform—particularly for indigenous communities already facing structural marginalisation. [Opinion: Assyrians are losing their language. Welcome to the era of Iraq’s private schools.Private schools in Iraq, although providing a better academic experience and safer learning environment than their public school counterparts, threaten to erase the Assyrian language and led to young people migrating out of the country.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-f29da-taj-logo-final-2-1.png)The Assyrian JournalNoor Matti![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Photo-1.jpeg)](https://theassyrianjournal.com/opinion-assyrians-are-losing-their-language-welcome-to-the-era-of-iraqs-private-schools/?ref=assyriapost.com) As Assyrian schools continue to operate under mounting financial, institutional, and demographic pressures, their survival remains inseparable from the survival of the Assyrian language itself. Without meaningful government support and long-term investment, one of the most significant achievements in modern Assyrian education risks gradual erosion, along with the cultural identity it was created to protect. ### Assyrian talent continues rise in Australian football URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-talent-continues-rise-in-australian-football/ Last updated: 2026-04-18T15:54:53.000Z The result secured Australia’s second consecutive win in the tournament, confirming their place in the quarter-finals and highlighting the team’s strong form. Butrus’ contribution adds to what has been an impressive campaign for the young forward, who is quickly establishing herself as one of the most promising Assyrian talents in Australian football. [Assyrian-Australian Danella Butrus Re-Signs with Melbourne City FCAssyrian-Australian footballer Danella Butrus has re-signed with Melbourne City FC, extending her stay in the A-League Women, the highest level of women’s football in Australia.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-125.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-01-25-at-00.06.55-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/danel/) At club level, Butrus plays for Melbourne City FC, who currently sit at the top of the A-League Women. Her development within one of Australia’s leading clubs has translated onto the international stage, where she is now making a tangible impact. Butrus follows in the footsteps of Assyrian trailblazer Leena Khamis, who represented the senior Matildas on 25 occasions, including appearances at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 and FIFA Women's World Cup 2015\. As a new generation emerges, Butrus’ rise signals a continuation of Assyrian representation at the highest levels of the sport. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/04/632307846_784882357962177_8599399343939369128_n-1.jpg) Miriam Zumaya (in the middle) holding the Assyrian flag. Her success also comes amid a broader wave of Assyrian female athletes making their mark. Miriam Zumaya recently debuted for Western Sydney Wanderers FC, while Alvina Khoshaba represented Australia at the ASEAN Women's Futsal Championship 2026, finishing as runners-up. ### Gilgamesh may have really existed say researchers URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/gilgamesh-may-have-really-existed-say-researchers/ Last updated: 2026-04-17T18:12:04.000Z "The project, titled *Hidden Treasures: The National Museum’s Collection of Cuneiform Tablets*, has been carried out by researchers from the institution itself and from the University of Copenhagen. The texts, which in many cases are more than 4,000 years old, were written in languages that are now extinct, such as Sumerian and Akkadian, using cuneiform writing, a communication system that emerged approximately 5,200 years ago in the ancient cultures of what is now Iraq and Syria, where scribes pressed wedge-shaped signs into fresh clay." Read the full story: [4,000-Year-Old Cuneiform Tablets Suggest Gilgamesh May Have Really Existed, Researchers SayMore than a century after the National Museum of Denmark began to accumulate a vast collection of inscribed clay tablets from the earliest civilizations of the ancient Near East, a team of researchers has finally managed to fully analyze, identify, and digitize this documentary collection, revealing![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-logo-square-0d98ba-270x270.png)La Brújula VerdeGuillermo Carvajal![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/kilecollage1100x600.webp)](https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2026/04/4000-year-old-cuneiform-tablets-suggest-gilgamesh-may-have-really-existed-researchers-say/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Between two worlds: An Assyrian star’s journey to the world stage URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/between-two-worlds-an-assyrian-stars-journey-to-the-world-stage/ Last updated: 2026-04-16T19:22:43.000Z Kevin Enkido Yakob, the talented midfielder for Danish side Aarhus GF, recently spoke with Assyria TV about his remarkable journey from Sweden to the Iraqi national team, and how his career serves as a bridge of loyalty to his ancestral homeland. Watching Kevin Yakob play today, one sees a strategically gifted midfielder with an eye for goal. However, Kevin’s story begins in the youth ranks of Assyriska BK in Sweden, a club founded by the Assyrian diaspora to keep their culture alive through sport. This foundation propelled him through Swedish giants BK Häcken and IFK Göteborg, but his heart eventually pulled him back toward the Tigris and Euphrates. During his interview, the 25-year-old touched upon a sentiment shared by many in the diaspora: the enduring loyalty of the Assyrian people to the their homeland. Despite the challenges and the distance, Assyrians have historically been a cornerstone of Iraqi society, contributing to its culture, arts, and sports since the British carved out the country in the 1930s. "It is a part of who I am," Yakob emphasizes. By choosing to represent the "Lions of Mesopotamia," he honors the resilience of his parents, who hail from Basra. His decision underscores a powerful message: the Assyrian community remains deeply rooted in the Mesopotamian soil, viewing the success of the national team as a shared triumph for all Iraqis, regardless of their background. For years, Kevin was a rising star in the Swedish system, representing their U19 national team with distinction. However, in 2022, he made the definitive switch to Iraq. While the move surprised European scouts, it was celebrated by millions in the Middle East. "I want to represent my people and my roots on the world stage," the midfielder stated. This bridge between his European upbringing and his Middle Eastern heritage has made him a symbol of unity. Since his debut in early 2023, he has fought through a severe ACL injury with a determination fueled by the desire to bring pride to the people of Iraq. Now performing at a high level with Aarhus GF (AGF) in the Danish Superliga, Kevin is focused on the ultimate prize: the FIFA World Cup. His presence in the Iraqi squad provides a tactical edge, but his presence in the hearts of the fans provides something more – hope. ### She has built a global haircare brand from scratch URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/she-has-built-a-global-haircare-brand-from-scratch/ Last updated: 2026-04-15T18:51:51.000Z **Founded in 2015** in the United States, Bounce Curl was created with a clear mission: to help people embrace their natural curls through clean, science-backed products. What began as a personal journey has since evolved into a global movement, with customers in over 150 countries and a social media following exceeding one million across platforms. Like many individuals with naturally curly hair, Odesho struggled for years to find products that met her needs. Rather than accepting the limitations of the market, she chose to innovate. Drawing on her background in science and chemistry, she began formulating her own products, combining modern laboratory techniques with traditional Assyrian ingredients and knowledge passed down by her grandmother. This unique blend of science and heritage quickly set Bounce Curl apart in an increasingly competitive industry. In recent years, the brand has experienced explosive growth, driven largely by social media engagement and a series of viral products that resonated with a global audience seeking authenticity and effectiveness. In 2026, Bounce Curl reached a major milestone with its launch in Sephora stores, marking its transition from a digitally-driven startup to a recognised player in the international beauty market. Bounce Curl is estimated to have roughly $20 million annualized revenue according to non-official online sources. ### Assyrian students in Sweden earn national recognition for innovative hair study URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-students-in-sweden-earn-national-recognition-for-innovative-hair-study/ Last updated: 2026-04-13T20:22:30.000Z **Their study examined** whether fermented rice water, a traditional remedy used in various cultures, could improve hair strength, growth, and overall condition. By combining controlled experimentation with measurable data, the students demonstrated that natural, low-cost treatments may hold real scientific value when tested rigorously. [Swedish-Assyrian students gain recognition for testing viral hair trendTwo Assyrian high school students from Södertälje are earning national attention after turning a popular social media beauty trend into a scientific investigation that may now win them a prestigious award.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-126.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Forskning-SM.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/swedish-assyrian-students-gain-recognition-for-testing-viral-hair-trend/) The project stood out among numerous entries across Sweden, earning top recognition in a competition known for highlighting emerging talent in science and innovation. Such contests often serve as stepping stones for international opportunities, where national winners advance to broader scientific platforms. What made the project particularly notable was its intersection of cultural knowledge and modern scientific methodology. The students, Gabriela Ada and Angelina Fransis, drew inspiration from long-standing beauty practices while applying structured testing methods to evaluate effectiveness. Their findings suggested that rice water may have measurable benefits for hair care, prompting interest in further research into natural alternatives within the cosmetic and health industries. This achievement builds on a broader trend of Swedish-Assyrian youth gaining recognition in Sweden’s academic and scientific arenas. In a previous report, Assyrian students were already highlighted as finalists in the same national competition, showcasing multiple innovative projects across disciplines. ### Bishop Amel Nona elected patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/bishop-amel-nona-elected-patriarch-of-the-chaldean-catholic-church/ Last updated: 2026-04-12T14:18:20.000Z **The election, held** in Vatican City, comes at a pivotal moment for Assyrians, amid ongoing regional instability, demographic decline, and continued challenges facing Assyrians in their ancestral homeland. The election follows a broader period of transition in the Chaldean Church after the resignation of former Patriarch Louis Raphaël I Sako, whose tenure was marked by both reform efforts and internal tensions. His departure opened a new phase for the Church’s leadership, with expectations that the next Patriarch would focus on unity, pastoral care, and institutional stability. Born in Alqosh in 1967, Mar Amel Shamoun Nona originates from one of the historic Assyrian centres of the Nineveh Plain. He completed his secondary education in 1985 before entering the Chaldean Patriarchal Seminary, beginning his path toward the priesthood during a period of growing uncertainty for Iraq’s Assyrian population. He was ordained in Baghdad on 11 January 1991. Following his ordination, he served as patriarchal vicar in Alqosh from 1993 to 1997, later becoming a parish priest until 2000\. He pursued advanced theological studies at the Pontifical Lateran University, where he obtained a doctorate in theology in 2005\. Upon returning to Iraq, he contributed to both academic and ecclesiastical life as a professor of anthropology at Babel College and later served as Vicar General of the Chaldean Diocese of Alqosh. At the age of 42, he was appointed Archbishop of Mosul, taking on one of the most challenging episcopal roles in Iraq at a time when the country’s Assyrian community was facing escalating insecurity, displacement, and long-term demographic decline. His tenure coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in modern Assyrian history, including increasing violence and the gradual erosion of the indigenous Assyrian presence in Mosul and surrounding regions. In 2015, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, where he has since spent over a decade ministering to the growing Chaldean Catholic diaspora. His leadership abroad has focused on strengthening community identity, youth engagement, and continuity between diaspora communities and the ancestral homeland. Upon his election as Patriarch, he has taken the name Mar Paul III Nona, in honour of Mar Paulus (Paul) II Cheikho, another native of Alqosh who led the Church from 1958 to 1989\. That earlier patriarchate is often remembered for guiding the Church through the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and overseeing the 1971 missal reforms, which restored and reaffirmed elements of the Church’s traditional liturgical heritage. The election of Mar Paul III comes at a critical juncture for the Chaldean Church, as it seeks to balance internal renewal with external pressures. Analysts note that the new Patriarch is expected to prioritise unity within the hierarchy, pastoral care for displaced communities, and engagement with the wider global Catholic Church. As the Church enters this new chapter, the legacy of his predecessor remains a central point of reflection, while the expectations placed upon the new Patriarch highlight the ongoing struggle of Assyrian Christians to preserve identity, faith, and continuity across both homeland and diaspora. ### Nineveh farmer cultivates diverse pepper varieties URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/nineveh-farmer-cultivates-diverse-pepper-varieties/ Last updated: 2026-04-11T21:30:06.000Z "Francis Ador told 964media he is managing the effects of an unusually cold and wet season, which has caused his Iraqi hot peppers to turn from green to red earlier than expected. “The color change will not affect the flavor,” he said. His greenhouses, each covering around 500 square meters, sit near Baghdida along the Mosul road, irrigated by a nearby well." *The full story:* [Nineveh farmer cultivates diverse pepper varieties in greenhousesLocal crops thrive![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/WPcmaONbR3dXZ6NvRc7NsILGQ9rl3Rz1E4p5NdjZXyjxI7q1mAkPnB-192x192-1.png)964media![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/full169-1)](https://en.964media.com/46793/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### When the church nationalizes representation: religion and power between patriarchy and politics in Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/when-the-church-nationalizes-representation-religion-and-power-between-patriarchy-and-politics-in-iraq/ Last updated: 2026-04-10T19:07:34.000Z **From Spiritual Care to Political Representation** When the Iraqi state collapsed after 2003 and its security and social institutions disintegrated, the Assyrian “Christian” community found itself facing an existential dilemma: how to protect itself on the one hand, and how to be represented on the other. At first, the role of the Church—particularly the Chaldean Catholic Church—appeared traditional: spiritual protection, social support, and a moral umbrella. However, this role gradually took on a new dimension during the tenure of Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly and later his successor Louis Raphael Sako, becoming more explicit and organized. The discourse of “citizenship” adopted by the Patriarch, his extensive presence in international forums, and his repeated statements on public affairs were no longer confined to defending rights; they entered directly into redefining Christian politics. On more than one occasion, the Patriarchate announced explicit political positions, criticized specific Christian political forces, and supported certain political trajectories and alliances, placing the Church in the position of a political actor rather than merely a spiritual authority. The clearest and most significant transformation came with the establishment of the Chaldean League in 2015, which was explicitly presented as a civil framework but remained organically linked to the Chaldean Patriarchate in discourse, leadership, and objectives. In practice, the League represented an attempt to create a political and social arm of the Church—speaking in the name of the “Chaldeans,” but according to an ecclesiastical vision rather than the logic of political plurality or democratic circulation of power. In this sense, the Church was no longer merely supportive of representation but rather became its producer and regulator. In previous statements by Sako concerning the situation of Christians in Iraq—where he described them as a “scapegoat” in identity and power struggles—he emphasized that demographic change in Christian areas is not a natural phenomenon but the result of a struggle over land and authority. He warned against internal divisions and presented his vision of a civil Iraqi state where citizens enjoy equal rights and duties. This discourse appeared, on the surface, to be defensive on behalf of a threatened community. Yet at its core it was profoundly political, as it went beyond the Church’s spiritual role to attempt to shape Christian politics in Iraq—thus blurring the traditional boundary between religious authority and civil power. The transformation of the Chaldean Church into an active political actor went beyond rhetoric and extended into electoral politics and alliances. This was accompanied by the strengthening of a discourse calling for Christian unity under a unified religious umbrella, rather than leaving representation to nationalist or civil movements that had emerged during the Ba‘ath era, including armed movements such as the Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa) or parties established after 2003. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-06-at-14.55.02.png) Chaldean Catholic Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Ankawa, Iraqi Assyria. ### How Did It Begin? The Era of the Iraqi Ba‘ath This transformation cannot be understood outside the structural context of the Iraqi state itself. From the monarchy and the Simel Massacre of 1933 to the Ba‘athist regime, Christians—like other communities—were subjected to the logic of a unitary nationalist state in which non-Arab national identities were marginalized and replaced with general and politically emptied designations. During that period, the Church adapted to the ruling authority in order to preserve the community’s existence, which strengthened its social position while weakening any independent political representation. This legacy resurfaced strongly after 2003, when the state collapsed and the Church emerged as the most cohesive institution amid chaos. In this context, figures such as Tariq Aziz, the prominent Ba‘ath Party leader born in the town of Tel Keppe, played a role in shaping this trajectory. Aziz—an ardent Arab nationalist and one of Saddam Hussein’s most loyal supporters—helped redirect both the state’s and the Church’s narrative toward describing this people as “Arab Christians.” At the same time, linguistic transformations occurred: the common designation used by Assyrians in their native language, “Suraya – ܐܣܘܪܝܐ,” meaning Assyrian, was reinterpreted to mean “Christian,” and the language known colloquially as “Surath – ܣܘܪܬܼ” was referred to simply as a “Christian language.” This was part of the Arabization policy adopted by the Ba‘athist regime, which the Church deepened under the justification of avoiding conflict with the state and the ruling system. The consequences were catastrophic for the community: a loss of self-identity and, eventually, the erosion of language among large segments of the population—particularly among Catholic and Orthodox Assyrians in Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul. At the heart of this project lay the question of naming as an instrument of power. The push to adopt “Christians” as a collective designation—at the expense of Assyrian and Syriac national identities—was not a mere linguistic detail but a structural choice that reduced the community to the status of a sect rather than a people. As scholars of minority affairs in Iraq—most notably Saad Salloum—have argued, transforming a community into a political sect renders it more fragile, easier to manage, and more dependent on systems of protection rather than on citizenship. This trajectory coincided with complex relationships with influential political forces, particularly in northern Iraq. The Church saw these relationships as a network of protection in the absence of a strong state, but the cost was a deepening division within the Christian community itself and the emptying of representation of its independent substance. Instead of a unified front demanding the safe return to the Nineveh Plains, the restoration of confiscated lands, and the establishment of fair local administration, Christians found themselves divided among overlapping religious and political authorities competing for legitimacy rather than complementing each other. What is happening today is therefore not simply a conflict between religion and politics, but a struggle over monopolizing the public sphere within a fragile community. The Church, which began as a last refuge in a moment of collapse, gradually transformed into a representative authority seeking to regulate politics in the name of protection. Meanwhile, civil and nationalist organizations saw their capacity for action diminish—not only because of their internal weaknesses but also because of the weight of the religious institution and its alliances. Without a clear redefinition of the boundaries between spiritual authority and political decision-making, the Christian community will remain trapped in a fatal equation: protection without citizenship, and representation without accountability. Such a condition threatens what remains of its collective agency in an Iraq that has yet to resolve its relationship with its minorities. ### Post-2003 Internal Alliances: The Discourse of Coexistence and the Land Disputes File What makes the situation even more complex is not merely the Church’s intervention in politics but the nature of the alliances formed in this context. In the Kurdish-led region, a close relationship emerged between certain Christian political forces and local parties, particularly the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP). The KDP became a platform attracting numerous Christian political or representative groups, including several parties within what is known as the Christian Alliance, led by Ano Abdoka—a political coalition established to represent “Christians in the Kurdish Region and Iraq in general.” This alliance, which includes parties such as the Chaldean Democratic Party and other components, was presented as a collective political force. However, it became widely known for its proximity to the KDP Party, raising fundamental questions among Christians regarding the independence of such representation compared with reliance on regional political support. These alliances did not remain at the level of theoretical politics; they were accompanied by tangible social inequalities in the daily lives of Christians in areas such as Erbil and Ankawa. These areas witnessed a transformation in economic and social life, including the emergence of entertainment venues and bars, leading some observers to argue that economic and social pressure is gradually pushing landowners to sell their properties due to slow attrition, in the absence of effective governmental protection. Although no official statistical studies have been published on this transformation, the reality in Ankawa raises serious questions about the viability of economic protection for Christians amid the rise of unconventional commercial activities and the neglect of property rights. This contradiction between the Church’s discourse of coexistence and alliance, on the one hand, and the reality of social and economic violations in Christian areas, on the other, reveals a paradox: the adoption of a grand narrative of symbolic protection while ignoring issues of land and livelihood. At another level, land encroachments on Christian property in the Kurdish-led region have been the subject of several protests. One notable case involved preventing Christians from demonstrating against land seizures in areas such as Nahla Valley, where encroachments included the expansion of buildings onto Christian land despite the owners possessing legal property deeds. This reflects a painful reality: while the Church is drawn into high-level politics and regional alliances, ordinary Christians are often left to confront their land and social problems on their own or through political entities tied to alliances that fail to represent them effectively. ### Between the Past and the Future All of the above converges on a central point: the redefinition of Assyrians through the concept of a “Christian identity” in Iraq. Naming is not merely a word; it is a political instrument that determines who possesses a voice in decision-making, who speaks on behalf of the community, and who defines the nature of conflict or hope for the future. The push for the Church to become the primary actor in representation, combined with regional alliances such as the Christian Alliance close to the KDP Party, weakens the ability of Assyrian civil and nationalist organizations to formulate independent democratic alternatives. These alliances—often presented as protective arrangements—place the Christian community in increasing dependence on regional powers, raising concerns about the possibility of independent negotiation in Baghdad or in historically Christian regions such as the Nineveh Plains. Within this framework, calls for unity within a religious-political structure have not yet translated into a genuine representative force capable of protecting land or amplifying the voice of Assyrian “Christians” in the capital, in parliament, or in the broader civic sphere. The absence of a clear political program independent of traditional alliance networks has allowed the community’s voice to recede before actors more skilled in navigating the rules of regional political competition. While some religious and political leaders continue to speak of citizenship and coexistence, the question remains: can these discourses truly materialize if they are not translated into concrete measures that protect land, rights, and dignity? Experiences of property protests, transformations in the local economy of Ankawa, and ongoing land encroachments all indicate that this community requires stronger and less dependent representation—along with a civil political discourse capable of balancing religious identity with civil rights. ### Uniting the diaspora: Assyrian youth exchange between Australia and Germany URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/uniting-the-diaspora-assyrian-youth-exchange-between-australia-and-germany/ Last updated: 2026-04-09T22:34:57.000Z **The exchange program** unfolded across 2024 and 2025, with the German delegation visiting Australia for two weeks, followed by the Australian cohort travelling to Germany later in 2025\. More than a cultural trip, the initiative served as a platform for connection, education, and national consciousness among young Assyrians. For many participants, the experience was transformative. One attendee, Dennis, noted that it was through ASA that he first developed a deeper understanding of what it means to be Assyrian, highlighting the crucial role community organisations play in shaping identity. [Assyrian student delegation visits Assyrian youth in GermanySBS Assyrian spoke with the President of the Assyrian Student Association Australia, Odessa Shmoel, and Vice President Dennis Suro following their return from an exchange visit to Germany. During the trip, they connected with Assyrian youth in Germany, engaging in meaningful discussions centred on…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/app-icon_192x192-5d5e260-5.png)SBS Language![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/90-6)](https://www.sbs.com.au/language/assyrian/en/podcast-episode/assyrian-student-delegation-visits-assyrian-youth-in-germany/krqg3qz0n?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ0kBlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEecdYNvPyzmCA%5FcutLgozFhve%5FZKSdbPMlCxAmXXVoyyfC21bCI2PfwF97B3U%5Faem%5Fffi1OETmqg3G1luCnjjaog&ref=assyriapost.com) [Assyrian youth unite: Cultural exchange between Australia and GermanyThe Assyrian Student Association — Australia and Assyrian Cultural Youth Association hosted over a dozen Assyrian youth from Germany’s AJM for a cultural exchange. Delegates expressed gratitude for connecting with Australian Assyrian youth, exploring Sydney, and engaging with the community. SBS…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/app-icon_192x192-5d5e260-6.png)SBS Language![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/90-7)](https://www.sbs.com.au/language/assyrian/en/podcast-episode/assyrian-youth-unite-cultural-exchange-between-australia-and-germany/3gqmfvb1e?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Building Identity Through Engagement A core message throughout the exchange was the importance of active involvement in Assyrian organisations. Participants emphasised that without engagement, the risk of assimilation increases significantly. ASA, in particular, was described as a foundational platform, one that introduces young Assyrians to their identity and equips them to engage with broader aspects of the national cause. By providing a starting point, it enables youth to later contribute across cultural, political, and community spheres. Current ASA President **Edessa Shmoel** stressed this point, calling on young Assyrians to develop a genuine love for their nation and take initiative: > “We need to have a love for our nation and get involved in organisations. We have to teach others about our national cause.” ### Strengthening Cultural and National Bonds The exchange also highlighted the richness and diversity within the Assyrian nation itself. Interaction between Eastern and Western Assyrians deepened participants’ understanding of shared heritage, while also exposing them to different cultural expressions. Reflecting on her experience in Germany, Shmoel recalled moments of cultural connection—such as listening to Assyrian artists Aboud Zazi and Ashur Bet Sargis while travelling with host families—demonstrating how identity is reinforced through everyday experiences. Participants also took part in community-led activities, including a traditional dance workshop organised by AJM and a Christmas play performed by Assyrian youth in Germany. These events not only showcased cultural continuity but also the organisational strength of diaspora communities. ### A Model for Global Assyrian Unity A defining feature of the exchange was the host-family structure, where participants stayed with fellow Assyrian families. This approach fostered a strong sense of kinship and trust, allowing families to feel comfortable sending their children abroad while building lasting relationships across continents. The success of the program has already sparked interest from other Assyrian organisations globally, with groups from the United States and Denmark expressing intent to participate in future exchanges. ### A Call to the Next Generation At its core, the exchange carried a clear and urgent message to Assyrian youth: get involved. Participants echoed a shared sentiment that the future of the nation depends on the commitment of the next generation. As articulated by ASA members: > “If not us, then who? We cannot be the generation that lets our nation down.” In an era where assimilation and displacement continue to challenge Assyrian identity, initiatives like this youth exchange represent more than cultural engagement, they are an investment in the survival, unity, and future of the Assyrian nation. [Youth camps revive spirit of Assyria across the diasporaAcross the diaspora, Assyrian organizations are using youth camps to help young Assyrians connect around a shared identity and common cause.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-122.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Camp-Dolabani-1.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/youth-camps-revive-spirit-of-assyria-across-the-diaspora/) ### ‘Not a Uniform Mass’: Assyrians warn against forced returns to Syria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/not-a-uniform-mass-assyrians-warn-against-forced-returns-to-syria/ Last updated: 2026-04-09T05:50:26.000Z In a previously issued joint statement released by the Assyrian Cultural Association in Saarlouis and the Assyrian Autonomy Movement e.V Sarland, community leaders argued that a "one-size-fits-all" approach to repatriation ignores the complex and dangerous reality on the ground, particularly for religious minorities. The crux of the concern lies with the current political transition in Damascus. The groups pointed specifically to the rise of Ahmad al-Sharaa (formerly known as Mohammed al-Jolani) as a transitional leader. For many Christians, the name Jolani is inextricably linked to his past leadership within jihadist structures responsible for the systematic persecution of minorities. "Trust, security, and future prospects cannot be established through political titles alone," the statement read. "They require credible changes and guarantees—none of which are currently visible." The report highlights a "worrying trend of Islamization" in various parts of Syria. The Assyrian groups describe a landscape where women face increasing pressure to conform to strict dress codes and withdraw from public life. For Christians, this is not merely a social shift but an existential threat. Recent attacks on churches and community facilities serve as a grim reminder that "security" remains a distant dream for many. A central point of the Assyrian appeal is the distinction between the Sunni majority and indigenous minorities. While acknowledging that some regions may be relatively safer for parts of the majority population, the community leaders stress that Assyrian heartlands have been "systematically destroyed." "Our villages have been depopulated, our churches attacked, and our very existence erased over years of conflict," the statement says. "For many of us, there is no functioning infrastructure and, in many cases, no home left to return to." ### A Call for Targeted Protection The Assyrian community is now calling on European policymakers to adopt a more nuanced asylum policy. Their demands include: - A clear distinction between the majority population and endangered minorities. - Explicit recognition that Assyrian Christians face unique risks and conditions. - Unconditional protected status for religious minorities. - Evidence-based policy rooted in actual security assessments rather than arbitrary quotas. "Europe must not make the mistake of treating all Syrians the same," the statement concludes. "We are an endangered people whose survival requires special attention and protection." As European governments face domestic pressure to reduce refugee numbers, the plea from the Assyrian community serves as a sobering reminder that for some, "going home" is not just a logistical challenge, it is a potential death sentence. ### Victoria government pledges funding for Assyrian school URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/victoria-government-pledges-funding-for-assyrian-school/ Last updated: 2026-04-08T08:24:43.000Z **The announcement was** welcomed by community leaders, many of whom have worked for years to bring the project to life despite repeated setbacks. The proposed school is envisioned not only as an educational institution, but as a cultural and linguistic center where Assyrian heritage can be preserved and passed on to future generations. However, the funding remains conditional on Labor winning the upcoming state election scheduled for November 2026\. The Labor Party, which has governed Victoria since 2014, is seeking to retain power in what is expected to be a closely watched contest. In 2024, the Victorian state government rejected the plans for the St Joseph’s Christian College, intended to serve the concentrated Assyrian population in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. The decision came despite widespread backing from Assyrian community leaders, religious authorities, opposition MPs, a federal minister, and thousands of petition signatories. [Melbourne’s Assyrian school project faces delays and uncertaintyEfforts to establish an Assyrian Christian school in Melbourne, home to the second largest Assyrian community in Australia, continue to face significant challenges, despite strong community support and repeated assurances from government representatives.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-123.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-01-14-at-00.00.37-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/melbournes-assyrian-school-project-faces-delays-and-uncertainty/) Labor MP Iwan Walters praised the announcement about the funding, stating: "The announcement by the premier brings Victoria’s first Assyrian school much closer to reality, and only Labor is financially committed to delivering Victoria’s first Assyrian school." He added: "We stand firmly behind the St Joseph’s project, as we always have, and this $10 million commitment brings it so much closer. It matters for Assyrian families across Victoria, and it stands as a symbol of our collective commitment as the Victorian Labor government to religious freedom and to ensuring that Assyrian language, culture and faith thrive in our state for generations to come." ### Midyat court acquits suspects in killing of Assyrian man URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/midyat-court-acquits-suspects-in-killing-of-assyrian-man/ Last updated: 2026-04-06T21:14:25.000Z **Turkish prosecutors had** sought the maximum sentence for the defendants accused of the killing. However, the court ruled to acquit, reportedly citing the absence of the murder weapon and a lack of security camera footage linking the suspects to the crime. The trial had previously been postponed due to delays in hearing testimony from a police officer who was among the first at the scene. The acquittal has shocked the Assyrian community in Tur Abdin, where many had hoped the case would mark a turning point in efforts to hold perpetrators accountable in disputes involving Assyrian land. Instead, the ruling has raised concerns among community members about confidence in the judicial system. Many fear it may send the wrong signal—both to Assyrians seeking protection under the law and to those involved in land disputes—that such actions may not lead to meaningful consequences. The decision has already been appealed, and the case is expected to be reviewed by a higher court. Following the killing, three additional cases were opened against the main suspect, a Kurdish man, including allegations of land grabbing and threats directed at Ego and other Assyrians. The disputed land at the center of the conflict has since been restored, and the suspect was sentenced to approximately 11 months in prison for trespassing. [Süryani Vatandaş Vuruldu; Dernek Başkanı Aktaş: ”Önlem Alınmadı”Midyat’ta yaşayan Süryan vatandaş İsrail Demir, merasına girmesine izin vermediği çoban tarafından göğsünden vurularak yaralandı. Midyat Süryani Kültür Derneği Başkanı Aktaş, “Son birkaç yıldır Süryani vatandaşlara karşı artan saldırıları gerekli yerlere bildirdik ancak önlem alınmadı” dedi.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)BianetBianet![](https://static.bianet.org/system/uploads/1/articles/spot_image/000/129/722/original/midyat_manset.jpg)](https://bianet.org/haber/suryani-vatandas-vuruldu-dernek-baskani-aktas-onlem-alinmadi-129722?ref=assyriapost.com#google%5Fvignette) Incidents involving threats and violence against Assyrians in the region have been reported over the years. In one such case in the Assyrian village of Kafro, an Assyrian returnee from Germany was shot in 2011 after confronting Kurdish shepherds grazing their herds on his land. The perpetrators were neither pursued by law enforcement nor brought to justice. The outcome of the appeal in the Ego case is now being closely watched by Assyrians in the region and across the diaspora. ### Staying, returning, rebuilding: Assyrians and the meaning of homeland URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/staying-returning-rebuilding-assyrians-and-the-meaning-of-homeland/ Last updated: 2026-04-05T11:09:02.000Z > “We don’t have to wait for it to be called Assyria in order to return… and it will never be called Assyria if we don’t.” - **Dilan Adamat** For many Assyrians in the diaspora, the homeland exists somewhere between memory and imagination. It lives in stories from our parents, church hymns, and grainy photos of villages we’ve never walked. But for some, that connection becomes something more, a decision to return, invest, or rebuild. Recently, I spoke with several Assyrians connected to the homeland in different ways. Some never left. Some returned after decades abroad. Others are working to build bridges between the diaspora and those still on the ground. Their stories reveal something important: there is no single Assyrian experience, but there is a shared commitment to survival and continuity. While diaspora conversations often centre on “return”, it’s easy to forget that millions of Assyrians never had the option to leave. They stayed through war, sanctions, displacement, and political instability. For them, the homeland isn’t an idea — it’s daily reality. Many describe a life shaped by uncertainty but grounded in identity. Economic hardship remains one of the most consistent struggles. Unpaid salaries, lack of infrastructure, and limited opportunities push younger generations to consider emigration. And yet, many still choose to remain. Why? Because leaving doesn’t just mean moving countries and gaining opportunities — it can mean losing language, land, and continuity. For some, staying is an act of quiet resistance. A refusal to disappear. Despite the difficulties, there is pride. Pride in maintaining churches, preserving dialects, and keeping communities alive in the places where Assyrian civilisation began. Then there are those who leave and come back. For returnees, the journey is rarely simple. Many arrive with idealism shaped by diaspora longing, only to encounter a complex reality: bureaucracy, limited jobs, political fragmentation, and cultural differences between diaspora Assyrians and locals. But alongside these challenges comes something else — clarity. Several returnees describe a powerful shift in perspective. Living in the homeland transforms identity from something symbolic into something tangible. Faith, language, and history stop being abstract concepts and become part of everyday life. For some, return is permanent. For others, it becomes cyclical, moving between diaspora and homeland, building ties in both worlds. Either way, one thing becomes clear, Assyria stops being a dream. It becomes real and for many Assyrians, the homeland is not an abstract idea, it is simply home. **Odisho (60), a lifelong resident of Duhok**, describes a life that may surprise those imagining constant instability. When asked what daily life looks like, he answered plainly: “Daily life for me as an Assyrian here is peaceful and normal. Everything is okay, and we live like everyone else in the city.” That sense of normality appears repeatedly across conversations. Routine. Family. Work. Community. Yet beneath the calm, real pressures remain, especially economic ones. Odisho spoke openly about one of his biggest struggles: “Currently, one of the biggest challenges I face is not being paid my monthly salary on time, which creates financial pressure for me and my family.” His concerns are not rooted in fear, but in long-term sustainability. Representation, equality, and opportunity remain unresolved questions. When asked about the future of Assyrians in Iraq, he reflected: “My biggest concern for Assyrians in Iraq is the lack of equality… this limited representation makes our future uncertain.” And yet, despite this uncertainty, he remains grounded in identity and belonging: “Being Assyrian means taking pride in my history and preserving my language and culture while living peacefully in Iraq.” **Dani (39), who also lives in Duhok**, describes a life that is both simple and deeply rooted. When asked what being Assyrian means to him today, he answered without hesitation: “It is a privilege to be Christian and Assyrian, and I am proud of that.” For Dani, pride is inseparable from memory. He speaks of his mother’s side from **Alqosh** with reverence, recalling the town’s courage during the Simele Massacre and its long history of protecting Assyrians. His perspective reflects a recurring theme among many who responded — identity not as nostalgia, but as inheritance. For others, Assyrian identity is expressed not just through history, but through daily life and cultural continuity. **Diana (41), who has lived in Duhok since 2014**, shared a glimpse into that lived reality. Her days revolve around work, family, and community, but culture remains deeply embedded in routine. She described the ways traditions stay alive: “We try to keep our Assyrian traditions alive. For example we wear (Khomala), the traditional Assyrian clothes, at wedding parties. At home, we speak our language.” Even in a modern city environment, identity is not disappearing — it is adapting. She also spoke about safety, a topic often misunderstood in the diaspora: “Yes I do feel safe… the city is quiet, there is a police presence, and I feel comfortable walking outside even in the evening.” Her words reflect a theme echoed by others: stability exists, but it is not the whole story. Yet even among those who feel stable today, there is an undercurrent of realism. **Ramsin (29), who also lives in Duhok**, described the subtle emotional weight of being a minority in your own homeland. “I have all the freedoms that other people here have,” he said, before adding, “but I don’t feel like I’m a true member of society. I feel like a guest wherever I go.” Another one of the clearest reflections of this layered reality comes from **Sinhareeb (52)**, who has lived in Duhok since 2014\. **“**We go to work, send our children to school, attend church… and try to live with dignity like any other community,” he explains, before adding that beneath this normality, “life becomes more about survival and preservation than progress.” Despite this, his sense of identity remains firm: “Being Assyrian means authenticity, courage, and faith.” When asked about return, his answer is measured and realistic: “There is no simple answer… Our survival does not depend only on geography, but on conscious commitment.” Despite concerns, very few spoke about leaving as an easy solution. Many responses carried an almost stubborn attachment to the homeland — a refusal to abandon it, even when opportunities elsewhere might offer more comfort. While many conversations in the diaspora focus on return, voices within the homeland often highlight something else — resilience. **Matti (32) ,** who has lived in Iraq his entire life, represents a generation that never left but continues to endure the same structural challenges. Despite hardships, his outlook is grounded in endurance rather than despair. At one point he reflected simply: “I think here Assyrians living in Iraq, we are very resilient. Whatever happens, we have a solution for it.” That mindset is perhaps one of the most defining traits shared across all the interviews. Not blind optimism. Not denial of hardship. But a refusal to disappear. A common thread across all responses is honesty. No one described life as easy, let's face reality, it isn't. Economic instability, political marginalisation, and uncertainty remain constant undercurrents. Yet what stands out is not why people leave — but why many stay. Family. Language. Church. Land. Memory. And something harder to define: rootedness. Even when speaking about diaspora Assyrians considering return, **Odisho** offered a balanced perspective: “Coming back is not easy. There are challenges… but living here also allows them to reconnect with their roots, family, and our Assyrian community.” This duality — difficulty paired with meaning — sits at the heart of the homeland experience. While many Assyrians have never left, a new generation is beginning to reimagine the relationship between diaspora and homeland. This is where initiatives like **The Return**, founded by **Dilan Adamat**, enter the picture, not as a romantic vision, but as a practical effort to reshape how Assyrians think about presence. Rather than framing return as a sacrifice or failure, the project challenges deeply ingrained stigma. As Dilan explains, one of the goals is simple but powerful: “Returning should not be seen as failure in western society — it should be celebrated and seen as commitment.” He has also pointed out how narratives shift depending on geography. Speaking about economic struggles in the West, he says: “If housing shortages and slow wage growth were happening in Iraq people would be complaining and saying look how broken the country is, how can you live there… but when it happens in the West it’s seen as normal." At its core, The Return is a long-term project focused on integration, investment, and soft power — from assisting with land purchases to creating pathways for employment and connection. One of its most ambitious ideas is **The Hub**, a future space designed to provide housing and work opportunities specifically for returnees, a physical anchor for rebuilding presence. But perhaps the most confronting idea Dilan raises is this: “We don’t have to wait for it to be called Assyria in order to return… and it will never be called Assyria if we don’t.” It is a statement that reframes the entire debate — shifting the focus from conditions to responsibility. What becomes clear when listening to these stories is that Assyrian connection to the homeland exists on a spectrum. At one end are those who never left, carrying the weight of survival on their shoulders. At the other are diaspora Assyrians searching for ways to reconnect after generations abroad. In between are people like Dilan and many others working to close that gap. This spectrum matters because it challenges a common but unhelpful narrative — that authenticity is measured by geography. The reality is far more complex. Staying, returning, visiting, investing, and advocating are all different expressions of the same instinct: to ensure Assyrians remain a living people, not just a historical one. It would be easy to frame the Assyrian story only through hardship. The struggles are real and ongoing. But focusing solely on decline ignores something equally real, the growing number of Assyrians actively trying to shape a different future. From return initiatives and grassroots investment to cultural tourism and digital organising, a new kind of engagement is emerging. One that doesn’t rely on nostalgia alone, but on action. Efforts like The-Return.org represent more than individual ambition. They reflect a broader shift in mindset among younger Assyrians who no longer see the homeland as unreachable, but as something that can be engaged with in practical, modern ways. Not everyone will return permanently. Not everyone can. But more people are beginning to ask a different question: If we can’t all go back, how can we still move forward together? The future of the Assyrian homeland will not be shaped by one path alone. It will be shaped by those who stay, those who return, and those who build bridges between the two. What matters most is not uniformity, but momentum. Every village that remains inhabited, every young Assyrian who learns the language, every initiative that reconnects diaspora communities to their roots, these are not small things. They are acts of continuity. And continuity, for a people who have survived as long as we have, is everything. So whether you are visiting, returning, investing, or have never left — Atra lives within all of us. ### The legacy of Patriarch Sako URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-legacy-of-patriarch-sako/ Last updated: 2026-04-04T12:58:32.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "With the conclusion of Patriarch Sako’s tenure, the Chaldean Church now enters a decisive moment. The election of his successor will not only determine leadership, but also signal the direction of the Church on questions of identity, liturgy, and its relationship to political authorities in Iraq and beyond. According to the Canons of the Eastern Churches, the Synod of Bishops must gather to elect a new Patriarch in a period of one month from the vacancy of the Patriarchate, with an allowance for delays to allow the Synod to gather within two months of the vacancy. This means that the Synod must convene between the period of April 10th-May 10th with no exceptions, a task made difficult by the ongoing conflict in Iran, something that even the Chaldean Catholic Church has not remained unscathed from.[13](https://rabanpithyou.substack.com/p/the-legacy-of-patriarch-sako-and?r=6m8160&utm%5Fmedium=ios&utm%5Fid=97758%5Fv0%5Fs00%5Fe0%5Ftv2%5Fa1demontrlos3z&fbclid=IwY2xjawQ96GxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBNUVBnTzdNdk1idVRnYVpCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm6Zbnm5Nw62h-6FTojSH8yEWzEcOEj6gXk4Qx%5FZlMpS3nJ8hTtm5sEOeNFq%5Faem%5FS5I6qWlZSUu9ZssUq9iKxA&triedRedirect=true#footnote-13-192179447) The Bishops must gather at either the Patriarchal Complex in Baghdad or at a different pre-agreed upon location, a logistical difficulty considering the presence of Chaldean Catholic Bishops across the globe. Yet despite this, the Synod is set to gather on April 9th in Rome." Read the the article: [The Legacy of Patriarch Sako & The Chaldean Patriarchal ElectionAn Overview Of The State Of The Chaldean Catholic Church And The Patriarchal Election To Decide It’s Future![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/icon-1.svg)Pithyou MazarnayaPithyou Mazarnaya![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F13443990-76e9-4fa7-a148-d6ce3b175bbd_1536x1024.png)](https://rabanpithyou.substack.com/p/the-legacy-of-patriarch-sako-and?r=6m8160&utm%5Fmedium=ios&utm%5Fid=97758%5Fv0%5Fs00%5Fe0%5Ftv2%5Fa1demontrlos3z&fbclid=IwY2xjawQ96GxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBNUVBnTzdNdk1idVRnYVpCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm6Zbnm5Nw62h-6FTojSH8yEWzEcOEj6gXk4Qx%5FZlMpS3nJ8hTtm5sEOeNFq%5Faem%5FS5I6qWlZSUu9ZssUq9iKxA&triedRedirect=true) ### Assyrian players help Iraq qualify for 2026 World Cup on Akitu URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-players-help-iraq-qualify-for-2026-world-cup-on-akitu/ Last updated: 2026-04-03T22:40:48.000Z **The players featured** in Iraq’s squad for their decisive fixture against Bolivia at Estadio BBVA. Sher started the match and played until the 53rd minute, while AGF Aarhus midfielder Yakob was introduced late in the game, coming on in the 85th minute. The result marks Iraq’s return to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years, with their previous appearance coming at the 1986 tournament in Mexico. That historic campaign was partly guided by legendary Assyrian coach Ammo Baba, while Assyrian football icon Basil Gorgis represented the nation on the world stage. [Assyrian players feature in Iraq’s playoff - clinching win over UAE in BasraAssyrians continue to play a significant role in Iraq’s campaign to earn a berth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoff, reflecting a historic pattern of influence within the national team.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-120.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-11-19-at-21.26.44-1-1-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-players-feature-in-iraqs-playoff-clinching-win-over-uae-in-basra/) Assyrians have long played a foundational role in the development of football in Iraq. Institutions such as Nadi Al-Athori (Assyrian Sports Club) contributed significantly to the growth of the game, producing notable figures including Douglas Aziz, Youra Eshaya, Ayoub Odisho, and Basil Gorgis. Even current Iraq Football Association president Adnan Dirjal spent part of his playing career at the Assyrian-founded club. [The Assyrian contribution to Iraqi Football: From pioneers to the presentThrough pioneers such as Ammo Baba and Youra Eshaya, institutions like Nadi Al-Athori, and modern players including Justin Meram and Rebin Sulaka, Assyrians have consistently shaped Iraq’s footballing identity.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-121.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Nadi-Athori-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/the-assyrian-contribution-to-iraqi-football-from-pioneers-to-the-present/) The celebrations were also marred by reports of hostility in parts of the Kurdish-administered north, where some fans celebrating the victory allegedly faced intimidation and incidents involving the removal of Iraqi flags. Local sources have similarly reported past instances to The Post of harassment by Kurdish nationalists during past celebrations of Iraq’s success. Yet this moment of national pride stands in stark contrast to the lived reality of many Assyrians in Iraq. Despite their historic contributions to the country, core political and national rights remain unrecognised, including formal acknowledgment as the indigenous people of the land, recognition and reparations for past atrocities, and the long-standing and unresolved call for the establishment of a province in the Nineveh Plain. The demographic reality further underscores these challenges. Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the subsequent violence–including the genocide committed by the so-called Islamic State–more than 90 percent of Assyrians have left the country. From a population of approximately 1.5 million prior to 2003, it is estimated that fewer than 200,000 Assyrians remain in Iraq today. As Iraq celebrates its return to the world’s biggest football stage, the contributions of Assyrian players once again stand as a testament to a community whose presence endures despite decades of displacement, yet continues to shape the nation it helped build. ### Vandalism at Assyrian church in Antwerp raises concern among Assyrian community URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/vandalism-at-assyrian-church-in-antwerp-raises-concern-among-assyrian-community/ Last updated: 2026-04-03T10:54:30.000Z The incident has sparked concern and distress within Belgium’s Assyrian community. At present, the incident has not yet been widely reported by major Belgian news outlets, and official details remain limited. However, acts of vandalism against Christian sites in Antwerp are not without precedent. Previous cases have underscored the vulnerability of religious spaces, particularly those serving minority communities. In 2018, the Church of St. James (Sint-Jacobskerk) in Antwerp which is frequented by the Chaldean brothers was vandalized. While investigations or official responses regarding this specific act are not yet clear, community members emphasize that such incidents should not be overlooked. They highlight the need for vigilance and protection of places of worship, especially those that function as pillars of identity for displaced communities. Assyrians in Belgium, many of whom settled in Antwerp and nearby cities, arrived seeking safety and the freedom to practice their faith. Their presence forms part of a broader diaspora shaped by decades of conflict and persecution in the Middle East. ### What did the ancient Assyrians invent? URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/what-did-the-ancient-assyrians-invent/ Last updated: 2026-03-31T20:53:29.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Over the centuries, many military advancements were due to the contributions of Assyrians. They pioneered the use of bronze to cast stronger weapons and armor. Then, they became the first civilization in the area to develop iron weapons, which gave them a further advantage. In time, their ironworking skills improved so that they could outfit more soldiers at a minimal cost. After the Assyrians introduced the use of cavalry, chariots seemed the next logical step. While not as nimble as a single horse, chariots offered better protection and the ability to store extra weapons." Read the full story [Assyrian Inventions: Chariots, Locks, Time & MedicineThe Assyrians made remarkable contributions that continue to influence modern life. They pioneered significant advancements in warfare, creating chariots, spoked wheels, and engineering units. They were the first to utilize bronze and iron weaponry, and their military ingenuity also led to innovations like wheeled batt…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-14.png)Timeless MythsTimeless Myths![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/assyrian-wall-relief.jpg)](https://timelessmyths.com/stories/what-did-the-assyrians-invent?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The ancient faith of the Syriac Orthodox Church URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-ancient-faith-of-the-syriac-orthodox-church/ Last updated: 2026-03-30T20:46:44.000Z **At the heart** of this identity lies Miaphysitism, a Christological vision centered on the absolute unity of the Savior. To understand the Syriac Orthodox position, one must look back to the 5th century, a formative era for Christian doctrine. The church holds the Council of Ephesus (431 AD) in high regard, viewing it as a definitive confirmation of the unity of Christ. However, the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) introduced a new linguistic formula, describing Christ as existing "in two natures." The Assyrian fathers, along with other Oriental communities, felt that this new language risked compromising the organic unity of the Incarnate Word. They chose to remain faithful to the older, traditional expressions of the faith, leading to a distinct path for the Syriac Orthodox Church that continues to this day. ### **The Miaphysite Formula: A Unified Reality** The Assyrian faithful from the Syriac Orthodox church embrace the profound formula of St. Cyril of Alexandria: "One Incarnate Nature of God the Word" (*Mia Physis tou Theou Logou Sesarkomene*). It is important to distinguish this Miaphysite theology from "Monophysitism." While the latter was a theory that suggested Christ’s divinity overwhelmed his humanity, the Syriac Orthodox Church firmly rejects such a view. Instead, their faith teaches a perfect union: - Perfectly Divine: He is true God, of the same essence as the Father. - Perfectly Human: He is true man, possessing a real body and a rational soul, being like us in all things except sin. The "One Nature" is described as a composite nature. It is the union of divinity and humanity "without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration." Just as a human being is one single person composed of both soul and body, the Syriac Orthodox Assyrians believe that the divine and human united to form one single, unified reality in Christ. "We confess one nature for the Word of God who became flesh; a union that remains inseparable and indivisible, without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration, for He is perfect God and perfect man in one united nature." For the Syriac-Orthodox Assyrians, this theology is the bedrock of their endurance. Throughout history, including during the hardships of the *Seyfo* (the 1915 genocide), the belief in a God who is intimately and inextricably united with humanity has provided immense spiritual strength. In modern times, extensive ecumenical dialogues have shown that many of the historical divisions were rooted in differences of language and culture rather than a fundamental disagreement on the divinity and humanity of Christ. ### Assyrian New Year procession cancelled in Assyria due to regional conflict URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-new-year-procession-cancelled-in-assyria-due-to-regional-conflict/ Last updated: 2026-03-29T18:15:15.000Z In a statement, the Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa) festivities committee announced that events scheduled between April 1 and April 12 would not proceed, citing the ongoing war in the region and its impact on Iraq and its security, and in order to preserve the public safety of participants. The committee instead encouraged Assyrians to observe the occasion in a more personal and local manner, stating: “Celebrate this national holiday in your own way, as a national tradition, among family members at home, in your village, and in your neighborhood, without large gatherings, in celebration of the New Year and in invoking the spirit of April: renewal, life, and freedom.” Akitu is one of the most significant national events for Assyrians, traditionally marked by large-scale processions drawing tens of thousands from across the homeland and diaspora. In Nohadra, participants typically gather in a mass procession culminating in a central celebration, accompanied in recent years by a multi-day cultural festival featuring Assyrian artists and musicians from around the world. The decision to cancel this year’s festivities comes amid heightened instability across northern Iraq. The region has experienced multiple drone incidents linked to the broader conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, along with Iran-aligned groups operating in Iraq. Reports indicate that areas across the Nineveh Plain, Nohadra, and Erbil have been affected by drone activity and falling debris from intercepted attacks. [Escalating Regional Tensions Impact Assyrian Areas in Northern IraqThe American attack on Iran is reverberating across the Middle East, with Assyrian areas in northern Iraq already experiencing the effects of rockets, drones, and falling debris, according to multiple local reports.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-118.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-03-04-at-21.44.23.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/escalating-regional-tensions-impact-assyrian-areas-in-northern-iraq/) In the Assyrian suburb of Ankawa, residents have reported repeated incidents involving drones targeting nearby military installations close to Erbil International Airport, raising further concerns about civilian safety. The cancellation also follows security concerns stemming from last year’s incident during the Akitu procession, when a Syrian-Kurdish assailant affiliated with the so-called Islamic State carried out an axe attack, seriously injuring two participants before being subdued by bystanders. The attacker was later arrested and has since been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Erbil Criminal Court. [Assyrians attacked during national Akitu parade in NohadraAssyrians found themselves under attack during the national new year parade in Nohadra (Dohuk), Northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-119.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-07-20-at-23.36.30-3.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-man-attacks-assyrians-during-national-parade/) While this year’s cancellation marks a significant disruption to one of the Assyrian nation’s most visible annual celebrations, community leaders have emphasised that the spirit of Akitu – renewal, resilience, and continuity – will endure despite the absence of public gatherings. ### Housing prices soar in Tur Abdin URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/housing-prices-soar-in-tur-abdin/ Last updated: 2026-03-28T19:13:09.000Z **According to data** highlighted by local news site *Midyat Haber*, residential property prices in Midyat have climbed by approximately 40% over the past year. This growth outpaces even Turkey’s largest metropolises and industrial hubs; for comparison, house prices rose by roughly 35% in Istanbul, 36% in Ankara, and 25% in Izmir during the same period. The Midyat market currently presents a paradoxical landscape for potential buyers. While traditional real estate platforms show a surprisingly low inventory, social media is flooded with listings. However, these digital advertisements rarely disclose actual asking prices. Instead, sellers often use placeholder figures like "1 TL" or "Free," forcing interested parties into private phone consultations where prices are determined behind closed doors. Market observers note a troubling trend: apartments often sit on the market for months without selling. Rather than lowering prices to attract buyers, many sellers, inexplicably, continue to raise them, further distorting the local perception of market value. Despite the rising costs, the quality of new developments remains a point of contention. As Midyat expands, new apartment blocks are rising rapidly, yet many projects lack essential amenities such as dedicated parking, social areas, or adequate living space. Critics argue that while the "price tag" of the city is growing, the actual quality of life for residents is failing to keep pace. ### The "Diaspora Factor" Assyrian observers familiar with the Tur Abdin housing market told the *Post* that the region's unique demographics play a pivotal role in this inflation. The Assyrian and Yazidi diaspora communities, driven by a desire to re-establish a permanent presence in their ancestral homeland, have become significant drivers of demand. According to several sources familiar with these developments, the influx of foreign currency and the emotional weight of "returning home" have caused property values in certain areas to more than double in recent years. While this reflects a heartening reinvestment in the region, it has also created a high-stakes environment where local residents struggle to compete with diaspora-level pricing. ### A glimpse into the Assyrian community of Armenia URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/a-glimpse-into-the-assyrian-community-of-armenia/ Last updated: 2026-03-28T18:39:40.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "One of the few places where Assyrians have been able to live in relative peace is Armenia. Assyrians arrived in the Caucasus during the 19th century, when the Russian Empire defeated the Persian Empire in two wars. At the time, most of present-day Armenia and Azerbaijan was part of the Caucasian khanates, semi-independent entities under the sovereignty of Persia’s Qajar dynasty. During the conflict, Assyrians living on Persian territory — mainly in Iranian Azerbaijan — assisted the Russian army and fought for St. Petersburg. As a result, Emperor Nicholas I viewed them as useful allies. After the Treaty of Turkmenchay in 1828, Russia allowed hundreds of Assyrian families to relocate from Iran to newly acquired territories. Most settled in the Armenian Oblast, later reorganized as the Yerevan Governorate." [A glimpse into the Assyrian community of ArmeniaArmenia is the most homogenous country in the post-Soviet world, with 98% of its citizens identified as ethnic Armenians. Nevertheless, other ethnic groups live in the country, including Russians, Kurds, Greeks, Jews, Ukrainians and Assyrians. Assyrians are indigenous to Mesopotamia, where they have lived for thousands of years. Historically, they were settled mostly in areas …![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-AW-logomark-KO-favicon-270x270-2.png)The Armenian WeeklyLorenzo Riva![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/imresizer-Dimitrov_S.Kirill_Assyrian_church_-_panoramio.jpg)](https://armenianweekly.com/2026/03/26/a-glimpse-into-the-assyrian-community-of-armenia/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### ​Rediscovering Lachish and Sennacherib’s Assyrian Campaign URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/rediscovering-lachish-and-sennacheribs-assyrian-campaign/ Last updated: 2026-03-26T20:51:32.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. The British expedition to Lachish had uncovered the Assyrian siege ramp in the 1930s, but it was David Ussishkin’s Tel Aviv University (1974-1994) excavations that would identify the ramp. Built of stones and construction material weighing between 13,000 and 19,000 tons, it was estimated that if a worker could have carried 45 kilograms an hour over a distance of 300 meters, 10,000 workers could have completed the siege ramp in about 18 days. Inside the city, a counter ramp was rapidly built by the defenders to strengthen the city walls. The Nineveh reliefs depict the intense assault against the city as battering rams were pushed up the siege ramp. Defenders on the walls are shown throwing down firebrands, bricks, and stones to deter the attack, but all to no avail. Read the full [story](https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/2108-28/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Report finds suspect fully responsible in killing Ashur Sarnaya URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/report-finds-suspect-fully-responsible-in-killing-ashur-sarnaya/ Last updated: 2026-03-26T07:46:46.000Z The report, based on an evaluation of 28-year-old Algerian national Sabri B., found no evidence of diminished judgment, psychosis, or coercion that could have impaired his behavior. The expert determined that the suspect was mentally sound, participatory and interactive, and capable of understanding and controlling his actions on the day of the attack. Sarnaya, a 45-year-old Assyrian refugee from Iraq, was stabbed to death on 10 September 2025 in Lyon while livestreaming on TikTok. Confined to a wheelchair, he had fled persecution in Iraq and was known for sharing Christian content online. French prosecutors have classified the case as a murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise, citing suspected links between the suspect and the Islamic State. The suspect has been charged with participation in a terrorist criminal organization. [Assyrian man slain in Lyon, France in suspected islamic attackThe Assyrian man was stabbed in the throat while live streaming on TikTok in what is believed to be an Islamic attack for his criticism of Islam in his videos.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-117.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/rip-ashur-sarnaya-45-murdered-yesterday-by-an-islamist-in-v0-m1smcVXxgaMvhQG2QQiUQtfqys70NBtVfHrpWDMB-Dw.jpeg-2.webp)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-man-slain-in-lyon-france-in-suspected-islamic-attack/) Despite the psychiatric findings, the suspect has claimed he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the attack and did not intend to kill Sarnaya. He expressed regret during questioning but denied any Islamist radicalization. The killing shocked Assyrian and Christian communities across France and abroad. Sarnaya is widely regarded as the first known victim from the Assyrian community in France to be killed in an attack linked to Islamist terrorism. The case continues to draw attention as it moves through the French judicial system, with the latest expert findings reinforcing prosecutorial arguments that the suspect should be held fully accountable. ### Assyrian-Australian wonderkid Gabriel Tilo earns U20 Socceroos call-up URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-australian-wonderkid-gabriel-tilo-earns-u20-socceroos-call-up/ Last updated: 2026-03-24T21:45:47.000Z **Tilo, who plays** for Sydney United 58 FC, has been selected to join Trevor Morgan’s squad for an upcoming international series against China in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, with matches scheduled for March 28 and March 31. His selection comes following the withdrawal of Manchester United youth defender James Overy due to illness, opening the door for the Sydney United standout to earn his first-ever call-up at any level for Australia. [Update to CommBank Young Socceroos squad for Australia-China Friendship SeriesCommBank Young Socceroos’ Head Coach, Trevor Morgan has been forced to make a change to his squad for the![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Football AustraliaFootball Australia Media![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Gabriel_Tilo_251012_0829_SUD_v_BAY_DamianBriggs.jpg)](https://footballaustralia.com.au/news/update-commbank-young-socceroos-squad-australia-china-friendship-series?ref=assyriapost.com) Having joined Sydney United at just 14 years old, Tilo has quickly developed into one of the brightest young talents in the National Premier Leagues New South Wales. He made his senior debut in August 2025, announcing himself with a goal, and has since cemented his place in the first team. Notably, he was also the second-youngest player to feature in the Australian Championship. Despite being listed as a defender, typically at right-back, Tilo has been deployed further forward on the right wing in recent months, where his pace and attacking instincts have made a significant impact. He has begun the 2026 season in outstanding form, recording three goals and one assist, including a goal against Sutherland Sharks, a brace against Western Sydney Wanderers, and an assist against Manly United. His performances have played a key role in Sydney United’s perfect start to the season, with the club winning its opening seven matches to sit five points clear at the top of the table ahead of St George FC. Tilo’s rapid rise has not gone unnoticed, with reports indicating that multiple A-League clubs are monitoring his progress closely. Sydney United 58 FC congratulated their youth product on his selection, describing it as a proud moment for both the player and the club. The team, known for its Croatian heritage, has a long-standing reputation for developing elite football talent in Australia. The Young Socceroos’ tour to China is supported by the Australian Government through the National Foundation of Australia–China Relations and forms part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening sporting and cultural ties between the two countries. Tilo now joins a growing list of Assyrian footballers making their mark in Australian football, including former Western Sydney Wanderers, Newcastle Jets, and Central Coast Mariners player Mario Shabow, as well as former youth international Frans Deli of Macarthur FC, and Iraqi international Charbel Shamoon of Perth Glory. ### Did Jesus Write Letters? The Legend of King Abgar V URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/did-jesus-write-letters-the-legend-of-king-abgar-v/ Last updated: 2026-03-23T19:29:15.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Most scholars believe that the language Jesus spoke in day-to-day life was a dialect of Aramaic, which Jesus’s ancestors had learned during the period of the Exile and its aftermath, when large numbers of Judeans lived in Mesopotamia and migrated across the Fertile Crescent. As noted, Abgar spoke Aramaic and was king of what would later become a center of Aramaic literature. We do not know whether or not Jesus could speak and write Greek, which was much more widely spoken in the eastern side of the Roman Empire in Jesus’s day. Because the claim in the Abgar legend is that Jesus wrote to someone in Aramaic rather than Greek, it is sometimes noted in popular discourse that Jesus could have communicated with Abgar directly. " Read the full story [Did Jesus Write Letters? The Legend of King Abgar V | TheCollectorThe New Testament never says that Jesus wrote anything. But a Christian legend claimed that he once penned a letter to an Anatolian king named Abgar.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-icon-12c2fa-1.png)TheCollectorMichael Huffman![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/jesus-with-letter.jpg)](https://www.thecollector.com/did-jesus-write-letters-legend-of-king-abgar-v/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Historic move as Turkey forms commission on Assyrian land rights URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/historic-step-as-turkey-forms-commissions-to-resolve-assyrian-land-ownership/ Last updated: 2026-03-23T19:24:13.000Z **Assyrian representatives from** Sweden held a series of meetings with Turkish officials in Ankara in February to discuss several issues affecting Assyrians in Turkey, with the question of Assyrian lands in the Tur Abdin region, transferred to state ownership, at the top of the agenda. These meetings followed an initial visit to Ankara in 2024, during which the same Assyrian delegation submitted a comprehensive 22-point demand file to the relevant authorities. After the 2024 meetings, the Assyrian side conducted a detailed and systematic study, resulting in a 132-page report, which they presented during this follow-up visit. During the delegations meeting in February with the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Mr. Murat Kurum, the property issue was discussed in both its technical and legal dimensions, the delegation said in a press release. Swedish-Assyrian lawyer İlhan Aydın, a key figure in the process and member of the delegation, told the Post that the facts they presented regarding the scope of the problem surprised the minister. "It became clear that the extent of the issue was, to some degree, surprising even to the Ministry," Aydın said, adding: "We also emphasized that if this matter is not addressed, there is a significant risk of negative demographic change in our villages." The lands in question, which were transferred to state ownership at a time when few Assyrians were present to contest the process, encompass most Assyrian villages and cover many millions of square meters. Their current monetary value would amount to billions of dollars. [The race against the clock to reclaim Assyrian lands in Tur AbdinAs Assyrians return to Tur Abdin, some find that their ancestral lands are no longer in their names after a land-registry process created a mess. Now, community leaders are racing to correct past mistakes.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-116.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1543160063-66236ba8604c-1.jpeg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/the-race-against-the-clock-to-reclaim-assyrian-lands-in-tur-abdin-2/) As a result of the meeting, Minister Kurum decided to establish a review and evaluation commission to examine the matter in a comprehensive and systematic manner. The commission will consist of legal and technical experts, including İlhan Aydın himself as a representative of the Assyrian side. Aydın explained that the goal is to approach the matter methodically, including a site visit to Tur Abdin to assess the situation on the ground. "The work will then result in a report to be submitted to the Ministry as a basis for further measures," he told the Post. The hope is that the commission will suggest legal mechanisms to allow for Assyrian lands that have shifted to state ownership to be returned to their owners. In their request letter to Minister Kurum, the Assyrian delegation also called for the precautionary suspension of "sales, transfers, and allocation transactions concerning properties deemed to be disputed until the review process is completed." ### Commission on Protected Heritage Sites In a separate meeting with the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the delegation discussed issues related to protected site designations in Assyrian villages, the preservation of historic churches and monasteries, environmental planning, safeguarding Assyrian cultural heritage, and UNESCO processes. This meeting also led to the minister’s decision to establish an evaluation commission to conduct on-site inspections and submit a report to the Ministry. Throughout the efforts of the delegation, a Turkish official, Mr. Zafer Sırakaya, Vice President responsible for Foreign Relations of the ruling AK party, has been a key figure in making these meetings with the ministers possible. Beyond his official role, he is increasingly regarded as a close friend of the Assyrians as he actively supports and helps to advance the issues of the delegation in Ankara, efforts that has earned him great respect and admiration among Assyrians in Turkey and abroad. ### "We Were Heard" In a press release following the meetings, the Assyrian delegation noted that the establishment of review and evaluation commissions within both ministries demonstrates that Assyrian property and cultural heritage issues will, for the first time, "be addressed at this level within an institutional framework." The approach allows for the systematic examination of these matters from technical, legal, and administrative perspectives, the delegation has stated. "Our overall impression from the meetings is that there is a genuine willingness to listen and to engage in discussion," Aydın said. He cautioned, however, that the process is complex: "Some potential solutions are legally complex and may, in certain cases, require legislative amendments, which naturally makes the process more demanding. Nevertheless, we experience a serious and constructive attitude toward examining the matter and identifying possible solutions." While no formal timeline has been adopted for the work of the two commissions, Assyrian demands regarding property, cultural heritage, and legal status were carefully heard for the first time and taken under consideration by the relevant authorities. Apart from Mr Ilhan Aydin, the delegation participating in the visits in Ankara included Swedish Member of Parliament Yusuf Aydın, as well as two representatives from the Syriac Orthodox Church in Sweden. ### Too Many People, Not Enough Water – Now and 2700 Years Ago URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/too-many-people-not-enough-water-now-and-2700-years-ago/ Last updated: 2026-03-21T19:25:00.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. “As far as we know, ours is the first study to put forward the hypothesis that climate change – specifically drought – helped to destroy the Assyrian Empire,” said Schneider, doctoral candidate in anthropology at UC San Diego and first author on the paper in the Springer journal *Climatic Change*. The researchers’ work connects recently published climate data to text found on a clay tablet. The text is a letter to the king, written by a court astrologer, reporting (almost incidentally) that “no harvest was reaped” in 657 BC. Read the full story [Too Many People, Not Enough Water – Now and 2700 Years AgoThe Assyrian Empire once dominated the ancient Near East. At the start of the 7th century BC, it was a mighty military machine and the largest empire the Old World had yet seen. But then, before the century was out, it had collapsed. Why? An international study now offers two new factors as possible contributors to the empire’s sudden demise – overpopulation and drought.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-28.ico)UC San Diego HomepageInga Kiderra![](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/_social/Adam-Schneider-150.jpg)](https://today.ucsd.edu/story/too%5Fmany%5Fpeople%5Fnot%5Fenough%5Fwater%5Fnow%5Fand%5F2700%5Fyears%5Fago?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The Story of Assyrian Wine in Mardin URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-story-of-assyrian-wine-in-mardin/ Last updated: 2026-03-20T22:30:15.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Gabriel sells homemade Assyrian wine out of the back of his silver shop, aptly named “Gabriel Silver and Gold.” This wine, called “Mardin Suryani Sarabi,” is slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and like nothing we’ve ever tasted before. The first time we had it, a filmmaker friend who had a key to the shop let us in, we took a bottle, left cash on the counter, and drank the wine out of plastic cups on a rooftop looking out towards the lights of Syria. The second time, we chatted with Gabriel about his childhood in Mardin, his travels around the world, and his final return to his ancestral homeland, the ancient city. And this time, we settled in with a glass of wine each while he told us how he came to this ancient trade." Read the full story: [Gabriel Cili and His Assyrian Wine - Culinary BackstreetsWe visit Mardin to learn about the history and traditions of Assyrian wine, and the challenges faced by winemakers in Turkey.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-16x16-12f9f0d2a091465f28d67cbc387115a7.png)Culinary BackstreetsErin O’Brien![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/cb_istanbul_eo_assyrianwine_final_top.jpeg)](https://culinarybackstreets.com/stories/istanbul/cb-on-the-road-the-story-of-assyrian-wine-in-mardin?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Study traces origins of bread culture to ancient Mesopotamia URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/study-traces-origins-of-bread-culture-to-ancient-mesopotamia/ Last updated: 2026-03-19T21:02:50.000Z The [research](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-78019-9?ref=assyriapost.com), published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, provides evidence that early agricultural communities in Upper Mesopotamia were producing sophisticated flatbreads as early as 6400 to 5900 BCE. The findings focus on archaeological sites in what is today northern Mesopotamia, including areas between modern-day Syria and Turkey, regions historically part of the Assyrian homeland. Researchers analyzed ceramic fragments known as husking trays, long believed to have played a role in food preparation. Using advanced techniques such as residue analysis and microscopic examination of plant remains, the team confirmed that these vessels were used for baking cereal-based doughs. The evidence shows that wheat and barley were ground into flour and baked into thick, flat loaves. In some cases, these breads were enriched with animal fats or plant-based oils, suggesting a diverse and developed food culture. This discovery challenges the assumption that such culinary sophistication developed much later, instead placing its origins in ancient Mesopotamian societies. The study also highlights the communal nature of food in these early societies. The bread loaves produced in these trays were often large, suggesting they were meant to be shared among groups rather than consumed individually. Archaeologists believe these practices reflect not only dietary habits but also social organization, where food preparation and consumption played a central role in community life. Researchers conclude that this bread-making tradition was not a short-lived development but persisted for hundreds of years across a wide region of the Near East. The use of husking trays suggests that this Late Neolithic culinary tradition developed over several centuries, indicating continuity and cultural significance. ### Gishru postpones annual visit to Assyria amid security concerns URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/gishru-postpones-annual-visit-to-assyria-amid-security-concerns/ Last updated: 2026-03-18T22:36:34.000Z Gishru, known for organizing cultural and heritage trips for young Assyrians, confirmed that its 2026 trip will not go ahead as planned due to the evolving security situation. “Due to the ongoing escalation of the conflicts now affecting Iraq, including areas in the north, we have made the difficult decision last week to postpone the 2026 GISHRU trip,” the organization said in a public statement, adding: "This journey is postponed, but our mission continues. We’re already looking ahead to a safe return as soon as conditions allow, and the heart of GISHRU, connecting, supporting, and standing with our people always remains stronger than ever." For years, Gishru has played a key role in strengthening ties between Assyrians in the diaspora and those living in their historic homeland. The organization’s annual trips offer participants the opportunity to visit ancestral villages, connect with local communities, and gain a deeper understanding of Assyrian history, identity, and resilience. These journeys often include visits to towns and areas across northern Iraq, particularly within the Nineveh Plains, where many Assyrians continue to live despite years of displacement, conflict, and reconstruction following the ISIS era. For many young participants, the experience represents a first direct encounter with their roots, transforming abstract identity into lived reality. While the organization did not specify particular incidents, northern Iraq has seen periodic security challenges in recent months, raising concerns about the safety of travel groups. Gishru emphasized that the safety of participants remains its top priority, making the postponement unavoidable despite months of planning. Despite the setback, the organization underscored that its broader mission remains unchanged. “This journey is postponed, but our mission continues,” the statement read. “We’re already looking ahead to a safe return as soon as conditions allow, and the heart of Gishru, connecting, supporting, and standing with our people always remains stronger than ever.” ### The secret letters of history's first-known businesswomen URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-secret-letters-of-historys-first-known-businesswomen/ Last updated: 2026-03-18T21:55:13.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. Ahaha’s letters are among 23,000 clay tablets excavated over the past decades from the ruins of merchants’ homes in Kanesh. They belonged to Assyrian expats who had settled in Kanesh and kept up a lively correspondence with their families back in Assur, which lay six weeks away by donkey caravan. A new book gives unprecedented insight into a remarkable group within this community: women who seized new opportunities offered by social and economic change, and took on roles more typically filled by men at the time. They became the first-known businesswomen, female bankers and female investors in the history of humanity. Read the full story: [The secret letters of history’s first-known businesswomenNew research gives us insights into history’s first well-documented businesswomen, who made their mark earlier than you may think.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-13.png)BBCSophie Hardach![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/p093p0vs.jpg)](https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210111-the-secret-letters-of-historys-first-businesswomen?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Swedish-Assyrian students gain recognition for testing viral hair trend URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/swedish-assyrian-students-gain-recognition-for-testing-viral-hair-trend/ Last updated: 2026-03-17T21:57:07.000Z Gabriela Ada and Angelina Fransis, both students from the town of Södertälje, Sweden, set out to answer a question widely circulating online: does rice water actually strengthen hair, or is it just another viral myth? Instead of relying on anecdotal claims, the two Swedish-Assyrian students designed a structured laboratory study to test the idea for themselves. Their project has since advanced to the finals of Sweden’s national young researchers competition, often referred to as the Research Championship. The idea originated after the girls noticed repeated claims online suggesting that rice water could improve hair strength and shine. Rather than accepting the trend at face value, they decided to examine it scientifically. Motivated in part by the high cost of commercial hair products, the students also wanted to explore whether a simple and affordable alternative could produce real results. To conduct their research, they collected hair samples from several volunteers and carried out a series of controlled tests. Each sample underwent repeated measurements to determine both elasticity and strength before and after treatment with rice water. Their findings showed a noticeable difference. Hair treated with rice water demonstrated increased elasticity and stretched significantly more than untreated strands. Seeking further validation, the students went a step beyond their initial testing. With support from researchers, they gained access to advanced imaging equipment, including an electron microscope, allowing them to analyze changes in the hair structure. What began as a classroom project has now developed into a nationally recognized scientific entry. The pair have qualified for the finals of Sweden’s largest science competition for high school students, where top projects from across the country compete for awards and recognition. The competition highlights young talent in science, technology, and innovation, with finalists presenting their work at Södertälje Science Park. Södertälje, south of the Swedish capital Stockholm, is widely known as a cultural hub for the Assyrian diaspora in Europe. ### Wine press dating back 2,700 years discovered in northern Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/wine-press-dating-back-2-700-years-discovered-in-northern-iraq/ Last updated: 2026-03-17T21:33:59.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Archaeologists have excavated the first, and what they believe is the oldest, industrial wine press in northern Mesopotamia dating back more than 2,700 years and coinciding with a sharp rise in wine demand among the ruling imperial elites of Assyria.One of the world's earliest empires, Assyria was located in the northern part of Mesopotamia - most of modern-day Iraq, as well as parts of Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey." Read the full story [here](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/wine-press-dating-back-2700-years-discovered-northern-iraq-2021-11-01/?ref=assyriapost.com). ### False unity is destroying Assyrian identity URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/false-unity-is-destroying-assyrian-identity/ Last updated: 2026-03-16T19:44:21.000Z **Enough of emotional** blackmail masquerading as coexistence, of historical distortions repeated until they pass for truth, of political decay sustained by the erosion of identity, of religious denigration cloaked in moral authority, and of social coercion enforced through shame and intimidation. Enough, too, of the systematic dulling of the public mind in the name of “unity.” This is not reconciliation. This is not scholarship. This is not coexistence. This is Erasure. And enough is enough. At first glance, these lines may be dismissed as divisive or reactionary. Such a reading, however, would be mistaken. What is argued here is not an appeal to sentiment, nor an exercise in exclusion. It is an attempt to return to reason—to assess historical facts as foundational intellectual building blocks and to draw conclusions unburdened by emotional coercion, political expediency, or religious instrumentalization. For more than a century, political and ecclesiastical leadership have promoted the notion that Assyrians constitute “one people” under a succession of composite labels. The earliest of these, Chaldo-Assyrian, emerged as a pragmatic response to fragmentation and existential threats in the early twentieth century. It was not an attempt to falsify history, but rather a survival strategy aimed at rallying communities already drifting apart. What began as expedience, however, gradually hardened into doctrine. The deeper schism did not originate solely in 1552, but took concrete sociopolitical form in the nineteenth century, when ecclesiastical affiliations—particularly within the Chaldean Church, were increasingly elevated into primary identity markers amid escalating persecution. Following the Assyrian genocide of the First World War and the Simele massacre of 1933, this process accelerated, solidifying fragmentation at both institutional and psychological levels.Another clear observation is that in the years after World War I, Syriac ecclesiastical leadership advocated internationally for the Assyrian people without ambiguity. The term *Assyrian* was neither avoided nor contested. Yet in the aftermath of Simele, fear and political recalculation gave rise to new schisms—most notably the elevation of Syriac or Syrian into a national identity, later complicated by its conflation with the modern Syrian state. The result was an identity architecture riddled with contradictions: Assyrian-Chaldean-Syriac and similar formulations that collapse history rather than clarify it. This confusion was ultimately codified in Iraq’s post-2003 constitutional framework, imposed through external mediation rather than articulated through historical continuity. What was presented as inclusion was, in reality, fragmentation given legal form. The culmination of this trajectory has been the reduction of an ancient indigenous people to a confessional category. Assyrians – once defined by history, language, culture, and continuity – are now frequently rendered legible only as a “Christian minority.” This reduction does not protect identity; it dissolves it. It transforms a people into a demographic abstraction and erases indigeneity under the guise of administrative convenience. Christianity has never been a distinguishing marker of Assyrian identity. Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, and others also include Christian communities, some of which possess their own churches and institutions. In such a landscape, reducing Assyrians to religion alone exposes them to gradual absorption and eventual disappearance. When a people relinquish their historical name, they do not remain neutral – they become vulnerable. This danger is not theoretical. History demonstrates that collective memory can indeed be erased. Following the destruction of the Second Temple of Aššur in the third century AD, successive processes of imperial incorporation and religious transformation severed populations from Assyrian historical consciousness. The result is visible today: indigenous communities living on Assyrian land who identify as something else entirely, disconnected from the civilizational history of the region they inhabit. Yet erasure is not always final. Some individuals, aided by modern access to historical scholarship and Assyriological research, have begun to reconnect with their Assyrian roots. Such recoveries demonstrate that awareness can be restored – but they also reveal how fragile and generational the process is. Not all losses can be reclaimed. This reality necessitates discernment. Preservation cannot be subordinated to sentiment, nor can survival be sacrificed to indiscriminate inclusivity. Finite cultural and intellectual resources must be directed toward those individuals and communities where continuity remains viable. A parallel from medical practice is instructive. When a particular part or organ of the body is afflicted with advanced cancer or gangrene or other permanent lethal pathology, it is not preserved for the sake of sentiment or attachment. It is removed – not out of cruelty, but out of necessity – to safeguard the survival of the body as a whole. To maintain a pathological attachment to what is already destroying the body as a whole is not compassion; it is negligence. Civilizational survival follows the same logic. When certain ideological trajectories have become irreversibly corrosive – no longer transmitting memory, coherence, or continuity – insisting on maintaining them at all costs risks endangering the living body of the people. Preservation, in such cases, requires sacrifice, discernment, and the courage to choose survival over false wholeness. Finally; Assyrian identity is not sustained by ancestry alone. It is sustained by understanding. Assyrianism, at its core, is a way of life grounded in historical consciousness and deliberate practice. Where it is neither understood nor lived, it ceases to exist. Respect for human dignity requires accepting that not everyone will – or can – make this commitment. Separation, when necessary, must be acknowledged without hostility or coercion. At the same time, bridges must be built with those rising in awareness of their Assyrian lineage, regardless of current religious or cultural affiliation. Just as diasporic dilution compounds negatively over generations, recovered awareness can compound positively when knowledge replaces ignorance. In the end, Assyrian ideology itself requires reform—not to narrow identity, but to rehabilitate it ethically and enduringly. The necessary trajectory is one of balance, order, and continuity, principles long symbolized in the Assyrian Tree of Life. Such reform does not promise immediate restoration. It promises something more durable: the conditions for renewal. Survival, in the end, is not about numbers. It is about coherence. ### Assyrian organization praised for sheltering Jews in Michigan synagogue attack URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-organization-praised-for-sheltering-jews-in-michigan-synagogue-attack/ Last updated: 2026-03-15T19:33:43.000Z Members of the Assyrian community in Michigan have received praise for their solidarity with the Jewish community following an attack on the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, a northern suburb of Detroit on Thursday 12 March. The terrorist attack was particularly close to home for many Assyrians in the area. Following the attack, local Assyrian organizations quickly opened the Shenandoah Country Club facility, an Assyrian venue located directly across the street from Temple Israel, as the situation unfolded. The venue served as a temporary meeting place and coordination point for students, staff, and parents searching for their preschool children while authorities responded to the emergency. In a statement issued by Temple Israel, officials confirmed that all 140 students at the synagogue’s early childhood center were safe. The congregation also expressed special thanks to the Shenandoah Country Club for welcoming, feeding, and sheltering staff, teachers, children, and parents during the crisis. The large Assyrian community in Detroit, mostly known by its affiliation to the Chaldean Church, has maintained longstanding ties with Jewish organizations across the Detroit metropolitan area. Through business partnerships, charitable initiatives, and civic engagement, both communities have built relationships grounded in mutual respect and cooperation, supporting one another during moments of hardship. ### To ancient Assyrians, the liver was the seat of happiness URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/to-ancient-assyrians-the-liver-was-the-seat-of-happiness/ Last updated: 2026-03-14T23:43:52.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. These early studies have revealed frequent references to body-related processes of emotional experiences, including how Akkadian considers internal organs as containers of emotions or embodied feelings. For example, the terms *libbu* (broadly, the ‘inside of the body’ or ‘torso’, but it can also refer to the belly, the heart, or the womb) and *kabattu* (‘liver; innards’) are found frequently in descriptions of embodied feelings and emotion expressions. For a specific example, sorrow is sometimes literally referred to as ‘illness of the heart’ (*muruṣ libbi).* *Read the full story* [*here*](https://psyche.co/ideas/to-ancient-assyrians-the-liver-was-the-seat-of-happiness?ref=assyriapost.com)*.* ### Tracing and reconstructing the history of Assyrians in Ukraine URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/tracing-and-reconstructing-the-history-of-assyrians-in-ukraine/ Last updated: 2026-03-13T22:44:04.000Z **A leading scholar** from the University of Customs and Finance in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Professor Dr. Artur Margulov appeared recently on the Assyrian think tank *Platform Turabdin* to share his extensive research into the harrowing and often overlooked history of the Assyrian minority in Ukraine and the broader Soviet space. Spanning the early 20th century to the present day, Margulov’s work, drawn from over 20 state archives and five KGB repositories, paints a vivid picture of a community navigating the treacherous waters of cultural self-assertion and state-sponsored repression. > **"They did not rush to learn Russian or Ukrainian, as they relied on their own religious leaders and traditions to survive."** Margulov explained during the session that the Assyrian presence in Ukraine began largely as a result of the upheaval during World War I (1914–1918), as families fled from the Urmia region in Iran and south eastern Turkey. Professor Margulov, whose own great-grandfather was shot by Ottoman forces and whose father was born in a Soviet labor camp, noted that these refugees initially viewed their stay as temporary. "They brought with them a tribal and religious system of self-governance," Margulov explained. "They did not rush to learn Russian or Ukrainian, as they relied on their own religious leaders and traditions to survive." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/03/Ukraine-map.png) By the 1920s and 30s, the Soviet state began to view this "autonomous" existence with deep suspicion. Margulov’s research highlights a dual identity during this era: while the Assyrian community was developing a modern national identity with its own political parties and literature, the Soviet authorities labeled them as a "dark, patriarchal force." The 1930s marked a period of intense "Sovietization." The state attempted to Latinize the Assyrian alphabet to spread communist ideology and eventually closed all Assyrian schools, forcing children into Russian-language education. The repression peaked in 1938 when the NKVD, the Soviet Union’s internal security and secret police agency, targeted Assyrians under the guise of persecuting "Persian subjects." Margulov presented chilling archival evidence of Assyrians being executed for "illegal border crossings" or simply for belonging to the intelligentsia. Today, the Assyrian community in Ukraine faces a new set of challenges. The ongoing war has physically divided the community between those in Ukrainian-controlled territories and those in occupied zones. Culturally, the impact of decades of Soviet assimilation is evident. "The fourth generation has almost entirely lost the language," Margulov lamented, though he noted that cultural hallmarks like the Kha b-Nisan (Assyrian New Year) and traditional dances still offer a sense of unity. Professor Margulov is currently preparing an English version of his monograph to ensure this history reaches a global audience. "History tells us how identity is shaped under pressure," Margulov concluded. "There is still much to be made visible that would otherwise remain unseen." ### Assyrian Catholic Church faces new scandal after cleric sentenced in Belgium URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-catholic-church-faces-new-scandal-after-cleric-sentenced-in-belgium/ Last updated: 2026-03-12T21:28:05.000Z **According to reporting** by ANB Sat, the court ruling sentenced Sati to 18 months in prison. Six months of the sentence are to be served immediately, while the remaining term was suspended under the condition of a five-year probation period. The court also imposed a fine of 4,000 euros. The case was part of a large criminal investigation involving more than one hundred defendants accused of participating in organized criminal activities. Court documents state that authorities confiscated more than 171,000 euros from Sati, which the court determined to be proceeds linked to illegal activities. In addition, computers and technical equipment allegedly used in connection with the offenses were seized. The court also ordered Sati to contribute to Belgium’s fund for victims of violence and to cover a portion of the legal costs associated with the case. Sati, a monk of the Salvatorian Order, previously served for several years in Belgium before later moving to Egypt, where he worked within the Chaldean Church’s eparchy in Cairo. Reports indicate that church authorities had been aware since 2019 of a financial case involving Sati and several individuals from his former parish community in Belgium. Investigations into the broader network have lasted several years. The case is one of the largest organized crime proceedings in Belgium in recent years, involving numerous defendants linked to drug trafficking and other financial crimes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/03/Sati.jpg) ### US bombs shiite militia in the Nineveh Plain URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/us-bombs-shiite-militia-in-the-nineveh-plain/ Last updated: 2026-03-11T21:58:37.000Z **An airstrike targeted** a position belonging to Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in the Nineveh Plain near the town of Bartella, east of Mosul, according to several Iraqi media reports. Security sources said the strike hit an area close to positions used by the PMF’s 30th Brigade, commonly known as the Shabak Brigade, which operates across the Nineveh Plain. The extent of casualties or material damage was not immediately clear, and no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack. Some reports indicated that the bombardment may have struck logistical or ammunition storage facilities linked to the brigade. Witnesses also reported aircraft remaining in the airspace over the Bartella and Bashiqa area for several hours following the strike. The attack is part of a broader wave of drone and airstrikes targeting PMF-linked sites across Iraq in recent days. Other strikes have reportedly hit PMF positions in Nineveh, Anbar, and Kirkuk provinces, killing and wounding several fighters in separate incidents earlier in the week. These incidents come during a period of heightened regional tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Iran-aligned militias operating in Iraq under the umbrella of the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” have intensified attacks on U.S. military facilities and interests in the country since the escalation of the regional conflict. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-11-at-22.55.12.png) Footage from the bombing in Bartella. The PMF’s 30th Brigade is largely composed of members of the Shabak minority, many of whom live in the Nineveh Plains. The unit has maintained a long-term presence in the area since the fight against ISIS and remains one of several PMF formations deployed across northern Iraq. Although no country has formally taken responsibility for the latest strike, some PMF officials and local sources have suggested the United States may have been behind the attack, reflecting a pattern of unclaimed airstrikes that have recently targeted Iran-aligned factions in Iraq. Unconfirmed reports claim that the militia has abandoned its positions in the Nineveh Plain following the bombings, with the Iraqi army moving in to the area. There are no reports about any targeting of the Assyrian NPU force which is also stationed in the Nineveh Plains. ### Relief and questions following Cardinal Sako's resignation URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/relief-and-questions-surround-cardinal-sakos-resignation/ Last updated: 2026-03-10T21:48:12.000Z **Sakos resignation, announced** in a statement on the patriarchate website on Tuesday 10 March, comes only five days after one of his bishops, Emmanuel Shaleta, who was arrested on Thursday 5 March while attempting to leave the US. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said the bishop faces eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and an additional aggravated white collar crime enhancement, a scandal that has made headlines worldwide. Given the circumstances of the unraveling of the scandal involving Shaleta, some now speculate whether Sako has chosen to resign in an attempt to conceal his attempts at aiding Bishop Shaleta to hide his alleged crimes. [Bishop Shaleta arrested on embezzlement and money laundering chargesAssyrian bishop Emanuel Shaleta, head of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy in San Diego, was arrested in California on Thursday on multiple felony charges related to financial crimes.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-112.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Bishop-Emanuel-Shaleta-3.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/bishop-shaleta-arrested-in-u-s-on-embezzlement-and-money-laundering-charges/) The Pillar, a Catholic news site, has reported that Sako mistakenly sent them an email intended for Shaleta in which he advised him not to answer any questions about his alleged embezzlement of church funds and visits to brothels in Mexico. In the email intended for Shaleta, Sako promised him to work in order to have him transferred to Iraq, in an apparent attempt to have the bishop evade justice. The timing of Sako's resignation following the arrest of Shaleta have led some to speculate whether there is an even bigger scandal that Sako feared would come to light, prompting him to leave preemptively. [Leo accepts resignations of Chaldean patriarch and bishop amid corruption scandalThe pope has accepted the resignations of Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako and Bishop Emanuel Shaleta.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/https-3A-2F-2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F5a6238c2-6f9b-4612-917f-d2385a832b7c-2Fapple-touch-icon-180x180-1.png)The PillarThe Pillar![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Faa953b15-8130-4345-98dc-76acf5cd55cb_900x600.png)](https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/leo-accepts-resignations-of-chaldean?ref=assyriapost.com) ### A sigh of relief As the news of Sakos resignation spread on social media many Asssyrians, including many who are members of the Chaldean Church, expressed relief. Yawsep Olmez, a prominent member of the Chaldean Church in Belgium, wrote on his Facebook page: "As a believer in the Chaldean Church, I feel a great relief today. For years, Louis Sako has deeply divided our people. Through some stances and statements, he sowed misunderstanding and anger among many faithful. Over time, he had lost a large part of his credibility and legitimacy with a very large number of followers of the Church. For many of us, he will go down in history as one of the most controversial (not hated) patriarchs, marking a period of deep divisions." [Cardinal Sako’s attempt to sow division backfires spectacularlyPatriarch Louis Sako’s most recent controversial remarks, in which he claimed that each Assyrian church denomination constitutes a separate nation, have triggered strong reactions and appear to have backfired.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-115.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Louis-Sako-2-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/cardinal-sakos-attempt-to-sow-division-backfires-spectacularly/) Sako's tenure was marked by significant controversies that sparked debate within the Assyrian community. Tensions intensified in recent years over disputes related to communal identity, church authority, and historical memory. One of the most widely discussed incidents involved the removal of a memorial dedicated to a respected bishop in Alqosh, which triggered widespread criticism from members of the local community. The episode led to a heated public debate about leadership and respect for communal heritage. [Heated debate as patriarch forces removal of memorial to beloved bishop in AlqoshPatriarch Louis Sako faces increasing criticism following controversial decisions that have angered Assyrian communities.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-114.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/573282407_3733893966743415_6002761076551427903_n-1-6.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/heated-debate-as-patriarch-forces-removal-of-memorial-to-beloved-bishop-in-alqosh/) Other disputes centered on Sako’s public positions regarding Assyrian identity and relations between the Assyrian denominations (i.e. Church of the East, Chaldean and Syriac). Critics argued that some of his actions deepened divisions at a time when the Assyrian population of Iraq faces demographic decline and political marginalization. During his leadership, Sako frequently spoke about the precarious situation of Assyrians in Iraq, arguing that the community should not isolate itself from wider Iraqi society. Following the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, then Bishop Sako opposed proposals to establish the Nineveh Plain as a separate province for Assyrians, warning that such a project would amount to the creation of a “Christian ghetto,” while instead expressing support for integration within the Kurdish-led region. Despite the controversies, Sako remained an influential voice in Middle Eastern Assyrian Christian affairs. In 2018, Pope Francis appointed him President-Delegate of the 2018 Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, underscoring his role within the global Catholic Church. The question asked by many Assyrians today is which direction the Chaldean church will take and whether it will it take the direction of unity or continue on the path of division. ### From Zakho to Rome Born in Zakho on July 4, 1948, Sako completed his early education in Mosul before entering the Saint Jean Seminary run by the Dominican Fathers. He was ordained a priest on June 1, 1974, serving at the Mosul Cathedral until 1979. Sako later pursued higher studies in Europe, earning a doctorate in Oriental Patrology from the Pontifical Oriental Institute and another doctorate in history from the Sorbonne University. After returning to Iraq, he served as rector of the Patriarchal Seminary in Baghdad from 1997 to 2002. In 2003, Sako was elected Archbishop of Kirkuk and consecrated bishop later that year. A decade later he was elected Patriarch of the church during a synod in Rome following the resignation of Emmanuel III Delly. He formally received ecclesiastical communion from Pope Benedict XVI, marking the beginning of his tenure as patriarch. ### Assyrians in classical Assyrian literature URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-in-classical-assyrian-literature/ Last updated: 2026-03-09T21:27:24.000Z **Recently, the** Suraye Educational Collective, a U.S. based organization with a mission to promote the awareness, recognition, and preservation of Assyrian history, culture, and identity through educational initiatives, released a year-long project about Assyrians in classical Assyrian literature. The project began when an anonymous Assyrian approached the organization in December 2024 with a compilation and the idea of publishing an article on the subject, and expanding it into a visual presentation format. The Collective agreed and began working on the idea. The result is an in-depth presentation that details the remembrance and connection of Assyrians throughout ancient and medieval epochs with the endonym "Suryaye" in classical Assyrian literature, showing how Assyrians understood themselves as being part of a common and continuous heritage and identity. The Educational Collective says its aim with the published article is to show that the ancient Assyrians have always been part of the identity of the “Suryaye” in Classical Assyrian literature. "Our larger goal is to the spread the information to all Assyrians to show a common linking heritage, and for the knowledge to be spread for the education of any Assyrian, whether in diaspora or homeland!" The Collective states that both the article and presentation have been reviewed by a scholar, while explaining that the scholar "would prefer to remain anonymous to emphasize the information included." The published article is chronologically ordered, and each example is specified to its origin in either East or West Assyrian wherever possible. Part one covers the presence of Assyrians by name and identity in Assyrian texts, while part two covers the remembrance of ancient Assyria locally. A small amount of non-Assyrian sources, which show the connection between the endonyms "Suraye/Suryoye" and the exonym "Assyrians", are included as well. The Collective explains that it is important to note that ancient writers did not have the same abilities that we do today to study Assyrian history. They mostly relied on Greek and Biblical texts alongside oral traditions. "Thus, it's important to not view the included information as vague or inaccurate, but to show the self-identification of the medieval Assyrians who were our forefathers", the organization underscores. For readers interested in viewing the article and presentation, they can be found both [here](https://www.academia.edu/164610030/Assyrians%5Fin%5FSyriac%5FLiterature?ref=assyriapost.com) and [here](https://www.academia.edu/164610122/Assyrians%5Fin%5FSyriac%5Fliterature%5Fpresentation%5F?ref=assyriapost.com). To view video visualizations of the article's contents, consider checking out the Collective's [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/surayeduc/?ref=assyriapost.com) and [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@surayec?ref=assyriapost.com) pages. ### Tur Abdin’s unbroken link to ancient Assyria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/tur-abdins-unbroken-link-to-ancient-assyria/ Last updated: 2026-03-08T21:02:36.000Z **High in the** rugged limestone plateau of southeast Turkey lies Tur Abdin, the "Mountain of the Servants of God." To the casual observer, it is a landscape of ancient monasteries and vineyards. To the Assyrian nation, however, it is the bedrock of a 3,000-year-old identity that refuses to be weathered away by time, conflict, or displacement. Long before it was known by its name Tur Abdin, this region was recorded in Neo-Assyrian annals as Mount Kašiari. During the height of the Assyrian Empire (c. 911–612 BC), Mt. Kašiari served as a vital strategic bulwark. It was a frontier province that protected the heartland of Nineveh from northern incursions while providing timber and stone for the empire’s monumental projects. Today’s Assyrians see themselves not as descendants of a lost civilization, but as its living continuation. This continuity is not merely a matter of bloodlines; it is etched into the very stones of the plateau. ### Architectural Echoes: From Palaces to Prayers The monasteries of Tur Abdin, most notably Mor Gabriel (founded in 397 AD), represent a unique architectural fusion. Travelers often notice a striking similarity between these Christian sanctuaries and the palaces of ancient Assyrian kings. The Stone Masonry: The use of massive, dry-stone ashlar blocks mirrors the techniques used in the walls of Dur-Sharrukin. The Ornamentation: The intricate geometric carvings and vine motifs found in the arches of Mor Gabriel bear a haunting resemblance to the reliefs found in the palaces of Ashurnasirpal II. The Layout: The central courtyards and high-walled enclosures maintain the "fortress-sanctuary" aesthetic that has characterized Assyrian construction for millennia. ### A Bastion of Resilience While other ancient nations were forced into exile, the "Mountain of the Servants" remained a spiritual anchor for Assyrians of the Syriac Orthodox Church. This survival has come at a staggering cost. During the 1990s, the region became a primary battleground in the conflict between the PKK and the Turkish State. Caught in the crossfire, many Assyrian villages were evacuated, yet a core population remained, guarding the monasteries and the land. Even in times of relative peace, the pressure on the Assyrian community persists. Today, the indigenous inhabitants face ongoing challenges regarding land rights. Many Assyrian properties and ancestral lands have been occupied by neighboring Kurds or caught in legal battles with the state treasury. "Our presence here is not a choice; it is a testament," says a local resident near Midyat. "To leave Tur Abdin would be to close the final chapter of a book that began in Ashur." Despite being surrounded by neighbors who have often sought to marginalize them, the Assyrians of Tur Abdin continue to celebrate their liturgy in the language of ancient Assyria, proving that while empires fall, the spirit of Mt. Kašiari remains unbroken. ### Assyrian judoka Iakiv Khammo wins gold at European Open in Ljubljana URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-judoka-iakiv-khammo-wins-gold-at-european-open-in-ljubljana/ Last updated: 2026-03-08T16:49:14.000Z The 31-year-old triumphed in the men’s +100 kg division, adding another title to an already decorated career at the elite level of international judo. Khammo first rose to global prominence in 2015 when he captured a bronze medal at the World Championships in Astana. That same year he also earned bronze at the 2015 European Games, along with a team bronze medal, marking a breakthrough season for the Ukrainian heavyweight. Earlier in his career, Khammo established himself as one of the sport’s most promising young competitors. He was crowned European Junior Champion in 2014 and also claimed a medal at the World Junior Championships, following a team bronze at the 2013 Junior World Championships. Over the years he has continued to build an impressive résumé across the international judo circuit. Among his victories are titles at the Grand Prix in Zagreb in 2015, Grand Prix Düsseldorf, and the Grand Slam in Baku. He later captured the Grand Prix in The Hague in 2018, while also earning bronze at the IJF World Masters in Doha in 2021. Khammo has also represented Ukraine on the Olympic stage, competing at both the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2020 Summer Olympics. In the men’s +100 kg category, he finished ninth in Rio de Janeiro and achieved an impressive fifth-place finish in Tokyo. His latest victory in Ljubljana continues a strong run of results in European Open competitions. In recent years he also claimed gold at the European Open in Riccione in 2022, Prague in 2024, and Warsaw in 2025, highlighting his consistent dominance on the continental circuit. ### Sweden ties aid to treatment of Christians and Assyrians URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/sweden-ties-aid-to-treatment-of-christians-and-assyrians/ Last updated: 2026-03-07T22:43:58.000Z **Benjamin Dousa, Sweden's** Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, has reiterated his position in a recent meeting with Assyrian representatives that any Swedish state aid to Syria will be conditional on Syria's treatment of Christians and indigenous groups like Assyrians. His remarks were made during a recent meeting in Stockholm with representatives of the Assyrian community in Sweden, a meeting in which he explained that this policy will apply to all Swedish aid to the entire Middle East. [Swedish minister to Syria: No aid if situation of Christians not guaranteedThe Swedish government has signaled a notable change in its foreign policy following a recent visit to Syria by Sweden’s minister for International Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa and Foreign Trade minister Johan Forsell.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-105.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Dousa-Assyrians.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/swedish-minister-to-syria-no-aid-if-situation-of-christians-not-guaranteed/) "We talked about how Sweden can support Assyrians in Syria and we are pleased that the Swedish government is pushing for Syria to include all groups" said Zeki Bisso, who was part of the Assyrian delegation who met the Minister at the governments office in Stockholm in February this year to Swedish newspaper LT. Sweden has sent hundreds of millions of Swedish kronor in aid to Syria in recent years, mostly as humanitarian and development assistance delivered through the UN and aid organizations rather than directly to the Syrian government. Robert Halef, another Assyrian representative present during the meeting, said that Sweden is adopting this position for all the Middle East: "The minister said that the demands Sweden has on Syria regarding respect for minorities and inclusion are part of the Swedish government's strategy for the whole Middle East and applicable for other countries in the region." Sweden currently has a right-leaning government led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson from the Moderate Party. His coalition government includes the Christian Democrats and the Liberals. The governing coalition relies on parliamentary support from the Sweden Democrats, a nationalist right-wing party, to maintain a majority in parliament. ### Bishop Shaleta arrested on embezzlement and money laundering charges URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/bishop-shaleta-arrested-in-u-s-on-embezzlement-and-money-laundering-charges/ Last updated: 2026-03-06T19:56:15.000Z According to U.S. authorities, Shaleta was detained at San Diego International Airport while attempting to leave the United States. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said the bishop faces eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and an additional aggravated white collar crime enhancement. He is currently being held on $125,000 bail at a San Diego jail, [reports](https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bishop-shaleta-arrested-on-charges?ref=assyriapost.com) The Pillar, a Catholic news site. The arrest follows months of mounting allegations concerning the handling of church funds and personal conduct. Investigators say the case began after church representatives reported suspected financial irregularities to law enforcement in August 2025. The development builds on an earlier investigation reported by The Assyria Post in February, which detailed a Vatican ordered inquiry into accusations that Shaleta had diverted significant church funds and engaged in inappropriate behavior. Financial records cited by investigators and church officials suggested that hundreds of thousands of dollars in parish funds, including rental income from church properties, may have been misdirected. Documented discrepancies exceeded $427,000, with some estimates suggesting losses could approach $1 million. [Assyrian Catholic bishop under investigation for embezzlement and brothel visitsA Vatican-ordered investigation has been launched into Assyrian bishop Emanuel Shaleta of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego, following allegations of financial misconduct and inappropriate behavior, according to reporting by Catholic news sites.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-103.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Bishop-Emanuel-Shaleta-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-catholic-bishop-under-investigation-for-mbezzlement-and-brothel-visits/) According to the earlier investigation, some missing funds were allegedly replaced through checks drawn from a cathedral charity account intended for aid to the poor. The Vatican had already opened a canonical inquiry into the allegations through the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, and Shaleta submitted his resignation earlier this year, though it has not yet been formally accepted. In addition to financial concerns, investigators and media reports have cited allegations of personal misconduct. These include claims that the bishop made repeated late night trips across the U.S. Mexico border to an establishment in Tijuana described in reports as a brothel. Shaleta has denied wrongdoing. In remarks delivered to parishioners earlier this year, he insisted he had not misused church funds and claimed that money entrusted to him had been distributed to the poor as intended. Born in northern Iraq, Shaleta has led the San Diego based Chaldean Catholic eparchy since 2017 and previously served in Canada. Observers note that the arrest may represent a rare precedent. According to reporting by Catholic media, Shaleta could be the first sitting diocesan bishop in the United States arrested on felony financial charges. The case has generated considerable debate among members of the Assyrian diaspora, where church leadership often plays a central role in community life. As the criminal case proceeds in the United States and the Vatican continues its internal investigation, the outcome could have significant repercussions for the leadership of the Chaldean Catholic Church in North America. Authorities have not announced a trial date, and the investigation remains ongoing. ### Assyrian Woman Rana Georges Remains in Detention for Third Consecutive Day URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-woman-rana-georges-remains-in-detention-for-third-consecutive-day/ Last updated: 2026-03-05T21:35:34.000Z Assyrian woman Rana Georges has remained in detention for a third consecutive day following her arrest by Iraqi security forces, raising concerns among members of the Assyrian community and activists monitoring the situation. Georges was taken into custody earlier this week under circumstances that have not yet been fully clarified by authorities. Her continued detention has sparked calls for transparency regarding the reasons for her arrest and the legal basis for holding her. Community members and observers have expressed growing concern over the situation, urging Iraqi authorities to clarify the charges, if any, and to ensure that due process and legal protections are respected. Advocates say the case highlights broader concerns about the treatment of minorities and activists in Iraq, particularly within vulnerable communities such as the Assyrians. As of the time of reporting, officials have not issued a detailed public statement explaining the grounds for Georges’ detention or indicating when she may appear before a court. ### Escalating Regional Tensions Impact Assyrian Areas in Northern Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/escalating-regional-tensions-impact-assyrian-areas-in-northern-iraq/ Last updated: 2026-03-04T20:45:38.000Z On Wednesday, a rocket landed in the courtyard of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Ankawa, coinciding with a barrage of rockets and drones launched by Iraqi militia factions toward the city of Erbil. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-04-at-21.44.56.png) Earlier in the week, unmanned aerial drones struck sites in the historically Assyrian towns of Batnaya and Bartella in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains. Local security sources reported material damage but no confirmed casualties. In Batnaya, an explosive-carrying drone dropped a device on a checkpoint belonging to a unit of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in the Tel Kaif District. The blast damaged infrastructure but did not injure personnel at the site. Batnaya is known for its historic Assyrian churches, including Mar Quriaqos and Mart Maryam, and forms part of the Assyrian ancestral homeland in the Nineveh Plains. In nearby Bartella, another unmanned aircraft struck a facility linked to the PMF’s 30th Brigade, the Al-Basaer Charity Foundation. Additional drone-dropped devices reportedly fell in other areas of the Nineveh Plain, while fragments from rocket fire struck the Bazwaya water project. In response, the Nineveh Operations Command raised security measures across the region, placing Iraqi army and police units on higher alert as tensions continue to escalate. ### How an Assyrian-style leather armor end up in China URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/how-an-assyrian-style-leather-armor-end-up-in-china/ Last updated: 2026-03-03T21:41:01.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. “The Yanghai armor was professionally produced in large numbers,” Dr. Wertmann said. “With the increasing use of chariots in Middle Eastern warfare, a special armor for horsemen was developed in the 9th century BCE.” “These armors later became part of the standardized equipment of military forces of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which extended from parts of present-day Iraq to Iran, Syria, Turkey and Egypt.” Read the full story: [Archaeologists Find 2,700-Year-Old Assyrian-Style Leather Armor in China | Sci.NewsThe ancient leather armor, datable to 786-543 BCE, was originally made of about 5,444 smaller scales and 140 larger scales, which, together with leather laces and lining, had a total weight of 4-5 kg.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-12.png)Sci.News: Breaking Science NewsNews Staff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/image_10352_1-Assyrian-Armors.jpg)](https://www.sci.news/archaeology/assyrian-style-leather-armor-10352.html?ref=assyriapost.com#google%5Fvignette) ### Shiluh and the Assyrian wine tradition URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/shiluh-and-the-assyrian-wine-tradition/ Last updated: 2026-03-02T22:01:08.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Until recently, Assyrian wine was largely a family-based project. People sourced grapes from their home gardens and made traditional wines to share with friends and family. Then, in 2008, members of three Assyrian families — Gabriel, Aktaş, and Aslan — created a commercial winery to produce this wine more widely. Shiluh sources grapes from its own vineyards as well as local growers. The winery uses only indigenous Turkish grapes, including Boğazkere, Öküzgözü, Mazrona, and Kerküş, some from vines over 50 years old. Production remains relatively small, at less than 100,000 bottles annually." Read the full story: [Shiluh and the Assyrian Wine Tradition - The Quirky CorkShiluh carries on the winemaking tradition of Christian Assyrians. The winery uses only indigenous Turkish grapes: Boğazkere, Öküzgözü, Mazrona, and Kerküş.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-quirky-cork_wine_istanbul.jpg)The Quirky CorkAndrea Lemieux![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Midyat-large.jpg)](https://thequirkycork.com/shiluh-and-the-assyrian-wine-tradition/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### How societies evolved into fear-dominated goliaths – then collapsed URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/how-societies-evolved-into-fear-dominated-goliaths-then-collapsed/ Last updated: 2026-03-01T19:47:15.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Cuneiform writing, [the oldest in the world](https://archaeology.org/collection/the-worlds-oldest-writing/?ref=assyriapost.com), records evidence of credit, loans and debits as “virtual money” and the rise of elite merchants holding monopolies on trade. They traded Afghanistan tin from the city of [Kanesh](https://www.cappadociahistory.com/post/k%C3%BCltepe-kanesh-karum?ref=assyriapost.com) (in modern Turkey) throughout their empire, working as multinational corporations do today. The Assyrian business community also had the first businesswomen and female investors. Generous tax breaks were given to merchants who promoted good business. The famous [Code of Hammurabi](https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/analysis-code-hammurabi?ref=assyriapost.com) reads like the fine print of a business deal, stating rules for granting credit and imposing taxes and tariffs on trade." Read full story: [Friday essay: how societies evolved into fear-dominated goliaths – then collapsedA new book, Goliath’s Curse, will reset everything you thought you knew about the rise and fall of civilisations – with worrying implications for our world now.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/web-app-logo-192x192-2d05bdd6de6328146de80245d4685946.png)The ConversationJohn Long![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/file-20251125-56-7qg9vj.jpg)](https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-how-societies-evolved-into-fear-dominated-goliaths-then-collapsed-263800?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Initiative seeks to outsource jobs from diaspora to Assyria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/initiative-seeks-to-outsource-jobs-from-diaspora-to-assyria/ Last updated: 2026-03-01T15:24:02.000Z > **"Outside of genocide, the biggest reason our people leave the homeland is a lack of jobs and opportunity"** **Launched in Michigan** and operating in Iraqi Assyria, [the program](https://www.ninevehrising.org/programs/jobs?ref=assyriapost.com) connects diaspora businesses with skilled Assyrians locally in an effort to create long-term economic stability and reduce emigration pressures. Chris Salem, Co-founder of Nineveh Raising, told the Post the initiative was born out of a clear reality facing the community. “Outside of genocide, the biggest reason our people leave the homeland is a lack of jobs and opportunity and if we want a permanent presence in our ancestral lands, we have to address that reality.” He emphasised that economic development should be viewed not as a luxury, but as essential to preserving Assyrian continuity in the region. Since its launch, Nineveh Jobs has created ten positions for Assyrians in the homeland, with salaries reportedly comparable to what engineers earn locally, providing what organisers describe as a solid middle-class income. Participants have been placed in roles supporting law firms, mortgage companies, and other professional services, primarily through remote work arrangements. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/03/Ninevehrising1-1.jpeg) Photo: Nineveh Rising Salem stressed that the initiative’s impact extends beyond financial support. “Jobs create purpose,” he explained, adding that stable employment helps combat the stagnation and uncertainty many young Assyrians experience in their towns and villages. By providing both income and structure, the program aims to restore a sense of forward momentum for participants. At its core, Nineveh Jobs is designed to help slow the ongoing Assyrian exodus from Iraqi Assyria. Salem pointed out that many young people in Assyria closely follow the economic success of diaspora communities in cities such as Detroit, Chicago, Arizona, and San Diego. “Right now, the only way to access that future is to leave the homeland,” he said. > **"Our goal is to redirect some of that momentum back home by bringing opportunity to them"** The initiative operates on a model similar to global freelance platforms, but focused internally within the Assyrian community. Rather than relying primarily on donations, as some traditional Assyrian charitable organisations continue to do, Nineveh Rising is encouraging diaspora entrepreneurs and businesses to outsource real work to qualified Assyrians in Assyria. Organisers argue this creates a more sustainable cycle in which the homeland contributes economic value while strengthening community ties. Despite early progress, Salem acknowledged that the program’s biggest challenges are scale and visibility rather than demand. He noted that with additional volunteers assisting in promotion, relationship management, and operations, the initiative could expand significantly. Looking ahead, Nineveh Rising, which was established in 2022, envisions replicating aspects of the diaspora’s economic success within Assyria over the next five to ten years. Salem pointed to the rapid advancement of Assyrian communities in the West over the past half-century as a model. “The diaspora is a case study,” he said; “Our responsibility is to recreate similar conditions at home.” [Shimsha Project aims to bring solar power to Assyrian villagesA young Assyrian-American launches an ambitious effort to deliver reliable electricity to Iraq’s Assyrian heartland.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-95.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/solar-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/shimsha-project-aims-to-bring-solar-power-to-assyrian-villages/) [Assyrians Without Borders shifts focus toward long term aid projectsSweden based aid group Assyrians Without Borders is reassessing its mission, moving away from short term projects such as Christmas gift distribution and refocusing on long term initiatives aimed at strengthening Assyrian self sufficiency.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-96.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-12-18-at-00.08.47.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-without-borders-shifts-focus-toward-long-term-aid-projects/) ### Alqosh launches reforestation Campaign to revive Mount Alqosh URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/alqosh-launches-reforestation-campaign-to-revive-mount-alqosh/ Last updated: 2026-02-28T22:30:14.000Z The initiative, carried out in coordination with the Zela Humanitarian Organization and the Duhok Governorate, seeks to revive the mountain’s natural landscape while reinforcing its environmental and symbolic importance to the people of Alqosh, local news outlets report. Financial backing for the project is said to come from Nashwan Jamil Tomka, a native of Alqosh now residing in California, United States, who donated $20,000 to cover the cost of seeds and necessary materials. According to local officials, seeds will be dispersed across the mountain’s face using helicopters provided by the Duhok Governorate. The operation will be conducted under the supervision of specialists to ensure optimal germination rates and long-term sustainability. The Directorate has called on residents to actively participate in the campaign by helping prepare seed balls at the Alqosh Youth Forum. Community members are encouraged to contribute according to their ability and availability. The campaign has already begun and will continue for approximately two weeks. Officials emphasized that the initiative is more than a tree-planting effort. It represents a broader environmental strategy to stabilize soil, combat desertification, improve vegetation cover, and restore a natural life cycle on the mountain. The project is also expected to enhance the town’s landscape and contribute to a healthier local climate. Describing the campaign as an investment in Alqosh’s future, organizers concluded with the slogan: “Together we plant today… to harvest tomorrow a green mountain worthy of Alqosh and its people.” The announcement was shared via the official page of the Director of the Alqosh Subdistrict. ### The Assyrian church building that disappeared - a metaphor for the erasure of Assyrians URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-assyrian-church-buithat-disappeared/ Last updated: 2026-02-27T22:12:25.000Z **How do you** erase an entire civilization? First you exterminate its members and then.. alter, repurpose or destroy everything they built. Only a handful of Assyrians are believed to live in Omid (Turkish Diyarbakır) today. The walled town, with a significant Assyrian population since ancient times, has today swelled into a Kurdish-majority city. But here and there are traces of its true origin, like this photograph from the early 1900s, that reveals more than first meets the eye. In the photographs lower right side one sees a stone formation. It was part of the walls of an Assyrian church, the Mor Zuoro church. The church no longer exists and this photograph is one of the rare visual evidence of its existence where only the stone foundations and debris of the structure can be seen, [notes](https://www.cegamedya.com/diyarbakirdaki-mar-zuoro-kilisesi-nasil-yikildi-bugun-geriye-ne-kaldi?ref=assyriapost.com) the editor of Cega Media, a local news source. It was located in the wall area near the Double Gate at the beginning of the 20th century. This visual document is considered the only remaining trace of the physical existence of the church. ### **DISAPPEARED IN URBAN TRANSFORMATION** The complete disappearance of the Mor Zuoro Church took place during the road expansion and zoning works in Diyarbakır in the mid-20th century. The area where the church was located was leveled to make a new road, removing all traces of its existence. Although there is no official decision or date in the sources regarding the destruction of the church, the fact that there is no trace of the structure reveals the physical consequences of this process. Just like the church was destroyed and eventually leveled completely with no trace, so too were the Assyrians who used to pray there, baptize their children, get married and hold memorial services for their loved ones. It is a powerful and silent testimony of the ethnic and cultural erasure Assyrians have faced on their ancestral lands - not for rebelling or causing any trouble, but for simply existing as Assyrians and Christians. [Diyarbakır’daki Mar Zuoro Kilisesi nasıl yıkıldı, bugün geriye ne kaldı?Diyarbakır’da 1900’lü yıllarda ayakta olan Mar Zuoro Süryani Kilisesi’nden bugün hiçbir iz yok. Bu kilise tam olarak neredeydi? İşte detaylar…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/fav-icon.webp)CEGA MedyaNAZMİ KAHRAMAN![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/cift-kapi.png)](https://www.cegamedya.com/diyarbakirdaki-mar-zuoro-kilisesi-nasil-yikildi-bugun-geriye-ne-kaldi?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Kevin Yakob named in Danish Superliga Team of the week URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/kevin-yakob-named-in-danish-superliga-team-of-the-week/ Last updated: 2026-02-27T22:07:47.000Z The Gothenburg-born midfielder has been instrumental in AGF’s strong start to the season, with the club currently sitting at the top of the Danish Superliga table. Among midfielders in the league this season, he leads in touches in the opposition half, progressive runs, and progressive passes, a testament to his ability to drive play forward and dictate tempo from central areas. > Der var flere flotte præstationer i 21\. spillerunde, og spillere fra hele syv klubber har fundet vej til Rundens Hold 👏[#sldk](https://twitter.com/hashtag/sldk?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=assyriapost.com) | [#ditholdvoresliga](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ditholdvoresliga?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=assyriapost.com) [pic.twitter.com/3gMuCiYNwZ](https://t.co/3gMuCiYNwZ?ref=assyriapost.com) > > — 3F Superliga (@Superligaen) [February 24, 2026](https://twitter.com/Superligaen/status/2026251774496006165?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=assyriapost.com) Yakob’s football journey began at Assyriska BK, the Assyrian club in Gothenburg, where he developed through the youth ranks. He later joined the academy of IFK Göteborg before a potential move to Sunderland AFC in England did not materialise. Yakob subsequently continued his development at BK Häcken, making senior appearances before returning to IFK Göteborg. His performances in Sweden‘s Allsvenskan eventually led to his transfer to AGF Aarhus, where he has continued to grow as a central midfielder. On the international stage, Yakob initially represented Sweden at youth level, making nine appearances and scoring once for the Sweden U19 side, including matches in the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers. In early 2023, he committed his international future to Iraq and made his senior debut against the Colombia national football team. However, the milestone was cut short when he suffered a cruciate ligament injury in the 23rd minute, sidelining him during a critical period of his career. [Assyrian players feature in Iraq’s playoff - clinching win over UAE in BasraAssyrians continue to play a significant role in Iraq’s campaign to earn a berth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoff, reflecting a historic pattern of influence within the national team.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-101.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-11-19-at-21.26.44-1-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-players-feature-in-iraqs-playoff-clinching-win-over-uae-in-basra/) Since joining AGF, Yakob has made 37 appearances and scored four goals, establishing himself as a dynamic presence in midfield. He is also known among Assyrian fans for his distinctive “Bagiye” celebration, where he imitates the traditional Assyrian group dance after scoring, a proud and visible expression of his heritage on the European stage. ### Explosion of AI generated Assyrian music URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/explosion-of-ai-generated-assyrian-music/ Last updated: 2026-02-26T21:56:50.000Z **AI generated music** is well on its way to change the music industry forever. The revolution, feared by some and hailed by others, is already here with an explosion of AI generated music. The transformation has now also reached Assyrian music. Research by the Post shows that several anonymous creators have already published numerous AI generated Assyrian songs. While some of the tracks are covers of classical Assyrian songs, others are entirely new compilations with new lyrics. You can now enjoy the spiced up AI versions of Sargon Gabriel's [Brata D-Mam Oshana](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4lZS-OfKcU&ref=assyriapost.com) or Habib Moussa's [O habibo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vaseGGj69I&ref=assyriapost.com). One of the anonymous creators, Beth Nahrin FM writes "All lyrics are written by us with care and dedication, reflecting our deep connection to our heritage." Several of the creator accounts frame their content as a means to preserve and contribute to Assyrian heritage. Critics however, believe that the main purpose of many of those churning out AI music is to earn revenue sharing from online platforms like Youtube and Spotify. ### First Assyrian AI artists take the stage With the arrival of AI music, Assyrian AI singers are now entering the scene. The creator or creators behind Narina Sarkis describe her as a "virtual Assyrian singer from the Matrix whose voice carries the soul of her heritage, reimagined through modern music styles — from dance and pop to jazz-funk and world fusion", explaining further that "Every song is a bridge between tradition and innovation, celebrating the beauty of the Assyrian language in a fresh, global way." The same creator has also launched Remos Ashuraya, a male equivalent of Narina. [Narina SarkisNarina Sarkis is a virtual Assyrian singer from the Matrix whose voice carries the soul of her heritage, reimagined through modern music styles — from dance and pop to jazz-funk and world fusion. Every song is a bridge between tradition and innovation, celebrating the beauty of the Assyrian language in a fresh, global way. Disclaimer: All songs are copyrighted, with original lyrics, composition, and production by Charbel Cruz and collaborators at Babylon X Publishing.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon_144x144-6.png)YouTube![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/L5umwdm_k0VbReEaOQMyMA62Md7g3tVX9Jbc2aWTKcqxPF2_kHxopNAXwPNfynTaqJZogTX_BQ-s900-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChpuRPa7I-M5DQMvzxPG3Lg?ref=assyriapost.com) The [homepage](https://www.babylon-music.com/?ref=assyriapost.com) of Babylon X Music, the named company behind the two AI Assyrian artist has no contact details or other information about the individuals behind the AI artists. ### A blessing and a curse? Much of the discussion in the global music industry revolves around how to prevent AI-generated music from displacing human artists and musicians. The issue is even more important for a stateless nation with no public structures in place to support singers and musicians. The number of Assyrian artists who are fortunate enough to make a living from their talent is very small. With the rise of ever more capable AI models, the question of if we will see a new Linda George or Habib Mousa rise to fame and create new classics is a valid one to ask. Some argue that while AI can produce music, it may not be able to evoke the same emotion as music created by human artists. Music made by humans can move people in a special way and might even gain in status and demand as cheaply produced AI music floods the scene. Whenever cheap plastic copies of some original handcraft flooded the market, the original craft and craftsmen rose in status and demand. In a best case scenario, some argue, AI music may help to expand and increase variety of Assyrian music while increasing the value of real, human made Assyrian music by future generations. Given the speed of development it may not take too long before it becomes evident which scenario will become reality. [Beth Nahrin FM🎵 Beth Nahrin FM is a channel dedicated to the music, culture, and language of the Aramean / Assyrian / Chaldean / Suryoyo people. 💖 We share emotional, meaningful, and cultural songs in Aramaic (Turoyo / Sureth) – songs about homeland, faith, identity, diaspora, remembrance, and unity. All lyrics are written by us with care and dedication, reflecting our deep connection to our heritage. Some of our songs are even bilingual, with one language always being Aramaic. 🌍 Our roots lie in Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia) – in places like Tur Abdin, Mardin, Midyat, Qamishlo, Damascus, Nineveh, Edessa – but our voices live today both in the homeland and across the world. 📌 Beth Nahrin FM exists to: 🗣️ preserve our ancient language 🕯️ keep our cultural memory alive 🔗 connect past, present, and future through music 💞 This channel is for everyone who carries our language and roots in their heart, everyone who loves Aramaic music.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon_144x144-7.png)YouTube![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/GnfM3I1ljLB2DYloFvJDn8RvqMmgkEPK8QDPu3zFAS506FVTY3WEkYM2M0sGedgyEyb_PpsncZc-s900-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)](https://www.youtube.com/@bethnahrinfm?ref=assyriapost.com) [Assyriska FF releases AI short film “Awake, Son of Assyria”The short AI film “Awake, Son of Assyria” was made with subject-scanning and identity-capture technology, the football club says.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-97.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-02-12-at-22.20.04.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyriska-ff-releases-ai-short-film-awake-son-of-assyria/) ### Villa twice the size of the U.S. White House revealed at ancient Assyrian capital URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/villa-twice-the-size-of-the-u-s-white-house-revealed-at-ancient-assyrian-capital/ Last updated: 2026-02-26T21:49:02.000Z "The site, dating back 2,700 years, was originally established as Dur-Sharrukin, or “Fortress of Sargon,” by Neo-Assyrian Emperor Sargon II in 713 B.C. The Neo-Assyrian emperor Sargon II began building a new capital city, named after himself, in the desert of what is now Iraq. For a long time, archaeologists believed that this ambitious project had only just begun when it was abandoned, leaving behind nothing but the remains of a building site. However, a recent survey of the site challenges that notion. The city did indeed flourish outside the palace, as evidenced by visualizations of data from a precision magnetometer that reveal hitherto undiscovered structures and infrastructure inside the city walls. Sargon II died a few years after work began on Dur-Sharrukin (“Fortress of Sargon”), now called Khorsabad. His son quickly set up his own capital in the city of Nineveh, and for the next 2,500 years, Sargon II’s building project was largely forgotten. In the 1800s, French archaeologists rediscovered the site." Read the full story: [A new magnetic survey of the ancient Assyrian capital of Khorsabad has revealed a 127-room villa twice the size of the U.S. White House - ArkeonewsArchaeologists in northern Iraq have conducted an extensive magnetic survey using an exhaustive magnetic survey at Khorsabad, once the ancien![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/ArkeonewsLogo-300x300-1.png)ArkeonewsLeman Altuntaş![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Palace-of-Sargon-at-Khosrabad-e1735162319971.jpg)](https://arkeonews.net/a-new-magnetic-survey-of-the-ancient-assyrian-capital-of-khorsabad-has-revealed-a-127-room-villa-twice-the-size-of-the-u-s-white-house/?ref=assyriapost.com#google%5Fvignette) ### Why an Assyrian region in northern Iraq serves Türkiye’s long-term interests URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/why-an-assyrian-region-in-northern-iraq-serves-turkiyes-long-term-interests/ Last updated: 2026-02-25T22:14:31.000Z The recent exchange between Namrod Koshaba [in this publication](https://www.assyriapost.com/why-turkiye-should-back-an-assyrian-region-in-northern-iraq/) and Barin Kayaoglu in [Türkiye Today](https://www.turkiyetoday.com/opinion/assyrians-want-a-state-in-iraqturkiye-has-a-better-idea-3214350?ref=assyriapost.com) about a Turkish-backed Assyrian region in northern Iraq has opened an important discussion that deserves to move beyond disagreement and toward strategic clarity. The central question is not whether Assyrians possess legitimate historical grievances or an indigenous connection to northern Iraq, few serious observers deny their suffering or their indigenous status in northern Iraq. Rather, the real issue is whether an Assyria Nineveh Plain administrative region within Iraq can align with the long-term interests of Türkiye. [Assyrians want a state in Iraq—Türkiye has a better idea - Türkiye TodayThe debate over forming a new state within Iraq’s borders is a dangerous proposition, argues Türkiye Today’s Barin Kayaoglu![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-11.png)Türkiye TodayBarin Kayaoglu![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/assyrians-want-a-state-in-iraqturkiye-has-a-better-idea-3214350_20260211091216_20260211091216-2.jpg)](https://www.turkiyetoday.com/opinion/assyrians-want-a-state-in-iraqturkiye-has-a-better-idea-3214350?ref=assyriapost.com) Kayaoglu’s response reflects concerns widely shared among Turkish policymakers: the fear that new political entities may lead to regional fragmentation, the risk of destabilizing relations with Baghdad and the Kurdish-led region, doubts about viability, and unease over possible external geopolitical involvement. These concerns should not be dismissed. They must be addressed directly. **When examined through a strategic rather than emotional lens, however, an Assyria Nineveh Plain administrative region need not represent instability. Properly framed and structured, it can instead function as a mechanism for stability, one that advances both Iraqi cohesion and Turkish strategic interests.** ### **Not a New State, but a Governance Solution Within Iraq** The most persistent misunderstanding surrounding the idea of an Assyrian region is the assumption that it implies independence or border change. This assumption understandably triggers resistance in Ankara, where territorial fragmentation in neighboring states is viewed as a direct security risk. Yet an Assyria Nineveh Plain administrative region does not require new borders or sovereignty claims. Iraq’s existing constitutional framework already allows for administrative decentralization, and minority protections through the formation of a Nineveh Plain Governorate. Within this framework, local administration can strengthen – rather than weaken – the Iraqi state by stabilizing areas that have long suffered from overlapping authority and weak governance. **From Türkiye’s perspective, this distinction is crucial. A decentralized Iraq with functioning local governance is far preferable to contested territories that produce recurring instability. In this sense, an Assyrian region should be understood not as partition, but as conflict management within existing borders.** Türkiye’s engagement in northern Iraq has consistently been shaped by security concerns. Areas with unclear governance structures often become spaces where armed actors compete for influence, creating risks that spill across borders. A locally administered Assyria Nineveh Plain region could help reduce these risks. Minority-led administrations historically depend on stability and cooperation rather than territorial expansion. Their survival relies on predictable relations with neighboring communities and the central state. Improved local governance, strengthened policing, and reduced competition between larger political actors would lower the likelihood of security vacuums emerging. For Türkiye, this translates into fewer cross-border tensions and reduced long-security costs. Stability in northern Iraq is not a symbolic benefit, it is a strategic one. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Nineveh-Plain.png) ### **Complementing Regional Relationships Rather Than Undermining Them** Another concern raised in the debate is that support for an Assyrian region could complicate Türkiye’s relationship with the Kurdish-led region. This concern stems largely from the mistaken perception that Assyrian proposals are intended as a counterweight to Kurdish autonomy. Such a framing is neither accurate nor helpful. Türkiye’s relationship with Erbil is grounded in economic cooperation and mutual stability. An Assyrian administrative region need not challenge Kurdish self-governance; instead, it could reduce friction in disputed areas by clarifying administrative responsibilities and lowering competition over local authority. Stability in the Nineveh Plain and surrounding areas benefits all parties by securing trade routes and reducing tensions that periodically disrupt regional cooperation. The goal is not ethnic competition, but functional coexistence. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Turkish-military-posts.png) Turkish military posts in northern Iraq. ### **A Regional Solution, Not an External Project** Turkish skepticism toward minority autonomy initiatives is often shaped by experiences in Syria, where externally driven political experiments produced long-term geopolitical complications. Any proposal perceived as externally imposed or Western-sponsored would understandably face resistance. For this reason, an Assyrian administrative arrangement must be rooted in Iraqi institutions and regional cooperation. A solution developed through coordination with Baghdad and local communities, rather than external guarantees, aligns more closely with Türkiye’s preference for regionally owned stability. This approach transforms the proposal from a geopolitical liability into a practical governance reform. ### **Economic Integration as a Shared Interest** Economic integration and regional connectivity have become a central pillar of Türkiye’s northern Iraq policy. Trade corridors, infrastructure, and energy cooperation increasingly define Ankara’s strategic outlook. A secure and locally governed Assyrian region could contribute to this vision by stabilizing key transit areas linking Mosul, Dohuk, and Turkish markets. Minority-administered regions typically prioritize economic connectivity because their stability depends on trade and development rather than territorial control. In this context, decentralization does not undermine integration – it enables it. **Türkiye increasingly positions itself as a regional stabilizer capable of maintaining dialogue with diverse actors across Iraq. Supporting inclusive governance arrangements that protect minorities without altering borders would reinforce this role. Such an approach demonstrates that stability can be achieved through cooperation rather than domination, strengthening Türkiye’s diplomatic standing while contributing to long-term regional balance.** ### **A Necessary Shift in the Debate** Much of the disagreement surrounding an Assyrian administrative region stems from how the idea is presented. Arguments framed primarily in terms of historical injustice or as a counterweight to other groups are unlikely to persuade Turkish policymakers, whose decisions are guided by long- term strategic calculations. **The more compelling argument is straightforward: an Assyria Nineveh Plain administrative region, firmly embedded within Iraq’s constitutional framework, can reduce contested zones, improve governance, and enhance stability in northern Iraq. These outcomes directly serve Türkiye’s interests as much as they serve the survival and dignity of the Assyrian people. When viewed through this lens, the proposal is no longer a nationalist aspiration. It becomes a practical contribution to regional stability, and therefore a subject worthy of serious consideration in Ankara as well as Baghdad.** For a region that has suffered from too many zero-sum solutions, this may be precisely the kind of pragmatic thinking the future requires. ### Enheduanna: the forgotten woman writer URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/enh/ Last updated: 2026-02-25T19:50:53.000Z "More than 4,000 years ago in the ancient city of Ur, present day southern Iraq, a woman named Enheduanna pressed her name into wet clay and put her stamp on her own work. She wrote hymns of incredible personal and political depth, described her own exile and humiliation, called on the goddess Inanna to restore her and left a postscript that reads: *The compiler of this tablet is Enheduanna.* Something noone had ever seen before." *Read the full story:* [Enheduanna: the forgotten woman who signed her work 1,500 years before Homer - Futura-SciencesWhen we ask who the first writer in history was, most of us picture Homer, the blind Greek poet whose epics sit at the foundation of Western literature. More than 4,000 years ago in the ancient city of Ur, present day southern Iraq, a woman named Enheduanna pressed her name…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-light.svg)Futura-SciencesFutura Team and Pia Gray![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/enheduanna-ecrivaine-mesopotamie.jpg)](https://www.futura-sciences.com/en/enheduanna-the-forgotten-woman-who-signed-her-work-1500-years-before-homer%5F25923/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The silent crisis: dating, identity, and survival URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-silent-crisis-dating-identity-and-survival/ Last updated: 2026-02-24T23:34:28.000Z > **"Older generations often respond with a command: “Marry Assyrian.” Many young Assyrians want exactly that. But desire is not a system."** **Dating is treated** as private, even taboo. Demography is not. When a small nation is geographically scattered, marriage patterns become community infrastructure. What we call “tradition” once relied on proximity: shared neighborhoods, tight parishes, and family introductions. The diaspora replaced that with dispersion, fragmented social circles, and reputational pressure that turns ordinary courtship into a public trial. We also segment ourselves by parish and denomination in ways that rarely coordinate socially. Unity appeals because it sounds like free strength; it fails because our marriage market is structurally thin. The broader society is moving in the opposite direction from what small communities need. In the U.S., home to one of the largest Assyrian diasporas, the median age at first marriage reached 30.8 for men and 28.8 for women in 2024\. Intermarriage is also common: Pew estimates 17% of U.S. newlyweds in 2015 had a spouse of a different race/ethnicity. Even religion is not a stable boundary: Pew’s 2023–24 Religious Landscape Study finds 26% of married Americans have a spouse of a different religion. Research on minority communities shows that endogamy can influence cultural continuity and group cohesion. Other demographic research also finds measurable differences in relationship patterns between endogamous and exogamous unions. These trends do not “cause” Assyrian out-marriage, but they define the environment. A small, dispersed people feel the pressure first. Older generations often respond with a command: “Marry Assyrian.” Many young Assyrians want exactly that. But desire is not a system. We are navigating scarcity, distance, and social risk. Meanwhile, existential fear, born of genocide memory, displacement, and language loss, turns marriage into a symbolic battlefield. Fear explains the intensity; it cannot substitute for workable social design. So what would actually have to change? 1. Build cross-parish, cross-city social infrastructure: recurring young-adult gatherings with clear codes of conduct, not one annual convention, and silence the rest of the year. 2. Lower the “gossip cost”: leaders should discourage reputational policing and treat respectful courtship as normal, not scandal. 3. Create opt-in matchmaking and mentorship that is modern and dignified: introductions, not surveillance; guidance, not control. 4. Treat mixed couples as a retention opportunity: welcome spouses in through language and culture programs, rather than shaming families out. A concrete agenda is possible. Major institutions can publish a shared calendar of young-adult events, co-host at least four cross-parish social gatherings, and run an anonymous needs survey to measure barriers. If we want an Assyrian future, we must design for it, socially, not only politically. ### Assyriska FF unveils Seyfo-themed jersey ahead of new season URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyriska-ff-unveils-seyfo-themed-jersey-ahead-of-new-season/ Last updated: 2026-02-23T23:10:03.000Z **The special design** commemorates the victims of the Assyrian Genocide (Seyfo). According to the club, the names of martyrs will appear in grey across the shirt, while the locations where atrocities occurred will be highlighted in red, creating a visual memorial woven directly into the team’s kit. The initiative continues Assyriska’s long-standing tradition of using football as a platform for historical remembrance. During last year’s 50th year anniversary season, the club honored the Assyrian language through the poem *Awake, Son of Assyria* by Naum Faiq, featured on the jersey in the Serto script. This year, the focus shifts to honoring the memory of Seyfo’s victims as the community approaches the 110th anniversary of the genocide. [Assyrian revival through soccerA patriotic poem written 100 years ago by Naum Faiq Palak has come to serve as inspiration for the Assyriska FF football team in Sweden, writes the club’s chairman, Moussa Esa.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-98.png)The Assyria PostMoussa Esa![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/FB_matchtr--jan_f--rs--ljning.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-revival-through-soccer/) Club chairman Moussa Esa explained the deeper motivation behind the project “We often refer to our dead simply as ‘our martyrs,’ but that is not enough. They were men, women, elderly, and children who were murdered in cold blood in every conceivable way. We want to name them and give them the recognition they deserve.” Assyriska has already gathered approximately 120 martyr names and around 40 village and location names connected to the genocide. However, the club emphasized that the sheer scale of Seyfo makes full representation impossible.“There are far too many martyrs and too many places. Even if we printed different versions across all our match shirts, it would not be enough. That alone shows the magnitude of what happened,” Esa noted. Assyriska players previously wore black armbands throughout last season in memory of Seyfo. The upcoming campaign, however, marks a more permanent and visible tribute. The commemorative jersey is expected to debut when the season begins on April 5 and will later be released as a limited collector’s item through the club shop. ### Deacon in Iran detained over illegal sale of Assyrian church assets in Urmia URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/deac/ Last updated: 2026-02-23T13:32:31.000Z **The Chaldean Catholic** Church, one of six Assyrian church denominations, announced in a [letter](https://chaldeanpatriarchate.com/2026/02/22/clarification-regarding-what-is-being-circulated-about-the-chaldean-church/?ref=assyriapost.com) published on its official website on 22 February that church property in the diocese of Urmia had been sold illegally. The illegal sale is said to have been carried out by a deacon who was serving as the diocesan procurator. "During the period following the resignation of His Excellency Bishop Thomas Meram from the leadership of the Diocese of Urmia, and before the installation of His Excellency Bishop Imad Khoshaba, Archbishop of Tehran and Patriarchal Administrator of Urmia, a deacon who was serving as the diocesan procurator exploited this vacancy to sell certain properties belonging to the Church", the statement reads. The letter does not reveal which church property or properties were sold or the identity of the suspect. The patriarchate writes that the local Iranian authorities arrested the deacon and placed him in prison, clarifying further that he was later released on bail. "Investigations are currently ongoing under the supervision of Bishop Imad Khoshaba, along with lawyers and the local government, by an official written mandate from His Beatitude Patriarch Sako, in order to uncover the truth and recover the Church’s properties", the message concluded. The Chaldean Catholic Archeparchy of Urmiā is a Metropolitan archeparchy with episcopal see in Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province, north-west Iran. Its cathedral archiepiscopal see is the Cathedral of St. Mary the Mother of God, in the city of Urmia. [Assyrian Catholic bishop under investigation for embezzlement and brothel visitsA Vatican-ordered investigation has been launched into Assyrian bishop Emanuel Shaleta of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego, following allegations of financial misconduct and inappropriate behavior, according to reporting by Catholic news sites.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-99.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Bishop-Emanuel-Shaleta.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-catholic-bishop-under-investigation-for-mbezzlement-and-brothel-visits/) ### Isaac Kako makes history as first Assyrian in the Australian Football League URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/isaac-kako-makes-history-as-first-assyrian-in-the-australian-football-league/ Last updated: 2026-02-22T23:04:45.000Z **The 19-year-old** small forward was selected by the Essendon Football Club with pick No. 13 in the 2024 National Draft, fulfilling a lifelong dream of representing the club he supported growing up. Kako’s debut carried added historical significance. When he ran out at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against the Hawthorn Football Club, he became the 1200th player to don the famous Essendon sash (the iconic red diagonal stripe on the jersey of the Essendon Football Club), marking a milestone moment both for the club and for Assyrian representation in Australian sport. The young forward made an immediate impact. Kako kicked the opening goal of the match with his very first kick in AFL football, a dream start that instantly captured attention and underscored his composure on the big stage. [Rd 1 | Kako’s cracking first goal lights up ’GExciting Dons debutant Isaac Kako lands the opening major of the game with a dazzling effort off the deck.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-152x152-1.png)Essendon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/AayhL9DS.jpg)](https://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/1731189/rd-1-kakos-cracking-first-goal-lights-up-g?videoId=1731189&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1741942466001&ref=assyriapost.com) His first season has already shown strong promise. Across 23 senior appearances, the lively forward has kicked 15 goals, demonstrating his pressure, pace, and forward craft at the elite level. Club officials have praised his professionalism and development during his introduction to AFL football. Kako’s achievement also builds on earlier Assyrian representation within the Essendon pathway. Prior to his AFL breakthrough, Daniel Younan was widely recognised as the first Assyrian to reach the Victorian Football League (VFL) level while also representing Essendon’s program, making Kako’s debut the next historic step for Assyrian-Australians in elite Australian football. ### Article 125 and the Institutionalization of Assyrian Subjugation URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/article-125-and-the-institutionalization-of-assyrian-subjugation/ Last updated: 2026-02-22T09:59:07.000Z **Much discussion within** Assyrian political circles revolves around the “implementation” of Article 125 of the Iraqi Constitution. Yet this debate misses a more fundamental issue. Our problem in Iraq, and equally under Kurdish regional authority, is not merely whether certain constitutional provisions are implemented. The problem lies in the constitutional structure itself. From its very beginning, the Constitution establishes a hierarchy that marginalizes non-Muslims. Article 2 declares Islam as “the official religion of the State and a foundational source of legislation,” further stipulating that no law may contradict the established provisions of Islam. For Assyrians — an indigenous Christian people whose existence in the region predates Islam by millennia — this framework does not reflect equality. It establishes limitations from the outset. Article 4 compounds this imbalance by designating only Arabic and Kurdish as the official languages of the state. While other languages may be acknowledged locally, the constitutional hierarchy of language mirrors a hierarchy of power. For an indigenous nation such as the Assyrians, whose language is a direct continuation of ancient Assyria, this relegation is not symbolic — it is structural marginalization embedded in the foundation of the state. By the time one reaches Article 125, the damage has already been done. **Article 125 speaks vaguely of guaranteeing “administrative, political, cultural, and educational rights” for various nationalities, including Assyrians. Yet what is presented as protection is, in reality, confinement. Why must Assyrians be granted “administrative and cultural rights” as special provisions, rather than recognized as a people entitled to full political equality and national recognition?** Article 14 of the Constitution already affirms equality before the law for all Iraqis. If equality truly exists, why is a separate clause required to guarantee limited administrative and cultural space? The very framing of Article 125 reduces Assyrians to a managed minority within a structure that does not recognize them as a people with inherent national rights. The ongoing effort by some Assyrian parties and individuals to “implement Article 125” assumes that the constitutional framework is just and merely awaiting activation. But if the architecture itself positions Assyrians as secondary actors within their ancestral homeland, then implementation becomes institutionalization of subordination. The issue is not enforcement. The issue is design. The situation is further complicated in the Kurdish-controlled region, much of which encompasses historically Assyrian lands from which Assyrians were displaced, dispossessed, or administratively absorbed. The Kurdish people have secured federal recognition and constitutional status. The Assyrians — the indigenous people of northern Iraq — remain without equivalent territorial guarantees or federal recognition. This disparity is not accidental. It reflects political realities embedded within the constitutional order itself. **If Assyrians are serious about advocating for meaningful change within Iraq, then the demand should not be reduced to the implementation of vague minority clauses. It should be equality — the same political recognition afforded to the Kurds. Especially when much of the Kurdish region itself has been built upon occupied Assyrian land. If federal status was attainable for one people, it must be attainable for the indigenous people whose land made that autonomy possible.** If Assyrians are to demand anything, it should be the restoration of their occupied lands — a process that continues even as these words are written, most recently in the villages of Bakhetmi and Shiyoz. This is not a question of cultural recognition. It is a question of political equality, land security, and national dignity. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Assyrian-villages-1961-3.png) Map showing Assyrian villages, towns and religious and historic sites in 1961 in northern Iraq. ### **The Responsibility of the Diaspora** Assyrians in the diaspora must understand something essential: unlike our people living under occupation in Assyria, we are not constrained by fear, party control, economic coercion, or the daily vulnerabilities imposed on those struggling to survive. We are not bound by the same pressures. We live in societies that shape global policy. We reside in countries that influence international institutions, determine foreign aid, and decide which struggles are heard and which are ignored. We live where power resides — where governments fall, leaders rise, and geopolitical direction is set. With that position comes responsibility. Yet too often, diaspora Assyrians mirror the language of subjugation instead of challenging it. We debate implementation of flawed provisions rather than confronting the system that marginalizes us. We soften our demands in the name of “realism,” forgetting that realism without dignity becomes surrender. Our brothers and sisters in occupied Assyria may be forced to negotiate survival. We are not. **If those living freely abroad adopt the same cautious posture as those living under structural constraint, then we voluntarily extend the occupation into our own thinking. That is how nations disappear — not through conquest alone, but through acceptance.** The diaspora must strengthen its message, not dilute it. We must move beyond appeals for cultural recognition and toward firm demands for political equality, indigenous rights, land protection, and self-determination. Silence is not neutrality. Moderation in the face of erasure is complicity. If we fail to assert ourselves while we possess freedom of speech, mobility, and institutional access, then future generations will inherit nothing but memory. ### **A Call for Clarity and Self-Determination** Continued reliance on vague constitutional promises without structural reform risks normalizing diminished status. A nation that accepts perpetual marginal accommodation will eventually dissolve into it. In a world where geopolitical boundaries shift, alliances evolve, and historical injustices are increasingly revisited, the Assyrian question cannot remain confined to administrative language. The issue is not charity, nor token representation. It is the right to exist securely and equally in our homeland. Self-determination is no longer a theoretical aspiration — it is our only viable option. **An Assyrian Region, protected by Assyrians and governed for Assyrians, is not an extreme demand. It is the minimum requirement for survival. Every nation understands that security and dignity require political control over one’s own land. Only Assyrians are told to accept permanent vulnerability as realism.** We cannot continue placing our future in a failed constitutional system that has consistently marginalized us. We cannot repeat the same political strategies decade after decade and expect different results. History does not reward patience in the face of erasure. The time has come for clarity. **Can we finally articulate a coherent national position rooted in self-respect rather than fear? Can we demand equality not as a favor, but as a right? Can we acknowledge that survival requires structural change, not administrative accommodation?** History has shown that nations do not disappear because they are small. They disappear when they accept definitions imposed upon them. The question before us is no longer whether Article 125 should be implemented. The question is whether we are prepared to assert our right to self-determination — and to build a future secured by Assyrians, for Assyrians, in Assyria. ### Assyrian-American arrested in West Bloomfield shooting incident that left one Assyrian in critical condition URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-american-arrested-in-west-bloomfield-shooting-incident-that-left-one-assyrian-in-critical-condition/ Last updated: 2026-02-22T08:56:03.000Z Police were called to the scene Saturday morning after reports of gunfire in the area of Maple and Farmington Roads. Upon arrival, officers located evidence of shots being fired and detained the suspect without further incident. The individual allegedly shot at least one other person, who is also reported to be of Assyrian origin. Both the shooter and the victim are reported to have known each other. The victim’s condition has not been publicly detailed, and authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the incident. Law enforcement has not yet released the identities of those involved, citing the ongoing investigation. [Assyrian businessman shot dead in MichiganA 46-year-old Houston man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Marvan Batoo, a 40-year-old Assyrian father of three from Michigan.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-93.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/sandles-arrest-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-businessman-shot-dead-in-michigan/) [Assyrian shot dead in gang-related attack in SydneySydney gang shooting leaves one Assyrian dead and another injured.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-94.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1608095476825-d4e0f916372f)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-shot-dead-in-gang-related-attack-in-sydney/) ### KRG representative posts threatening message to Assyrian community leader URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/krg-representative-posts-threatening-message-to-assyrian-community-leader/ Last updated: 2026-02-22T08:55:00.000Z **In the Facebook** post published on February 18 Sherwani (also spelled Shirwani) wrote: "robert you should change your last name LIAR. all you know and lie and lie.Shame,shame on you Robert liar". The post is still up as of writing. Dasko Shirwani is listed as the Director of Outreach and Community Affairs at the KRG Representation Office in Washington, D.C. He is believed to play a key role in the KRG’s attempts to buy influence among Assyrian-American organizations and individuals as part of the KRG’s divide-and-rule strategy. According to an email by Robert DeKelaita sent to different individuals and obtained by the Post, Sherwani’s attempted intimidation is related to an [article](https://ninevehnews.com/2026/02/16/rebar-ahmeds-u-s-visit-diplomatic-engagement-abroad-unfinished-responsibilities-at-home/?ref=assyriapost.com) that appeared on Nineveh News two days earlier. The article discusses the recent visit of Rebar Ahmed, Minister of Interior of the Kurdish-led region of northern Iraq, to the U.S. and his meeting with Assyrian organizations in Detroit. "If the KRG seeks credibility as a model of pluralism in Iraq, it must move beyond symbolic outreach and address five core areas of concern", the article argues, detailing Kurdish land grabs of Assyrian lands and other issues Assyrians are facing under KRG rule. Nineveh News describes itself as a collaborative platform sustained by writers from Chicago and across the Assyrian diaspora. In the email obtained by the Post, DeKelaita writes: "The article in question by one of our writers was measured, evidence-based, and unapologetically firm. It criticized the KRG’s policies and their insufficiency in safeguarding the continued existence of our people in our ancestral lands. It was not vulgar. It was not reckless. It was principled. I stand by it without hesitation." He went on to write that the message from Sherwani should not be seen as a private quarrel between two individuals but rather a "national question of whether our people may articulate grievances about governance in our homeland without being mocked, belittled, or defamed." Reflecting on the KRG official’s action, DeKelaita wrote: "When a public official responds to policy criticism with ridicule rather than rebuttal, that is not strength. It is institutional insecurity. Mature governance welcomes scrutiny; it does not attempt to silence it through insinuation or character attacks." In his email, the Assyrian community leader also called on Assyrians to stand up for one another: "If one of our towns in the homeland is diminished, we are diminished. If one of our activists is targeted, we are targeted. An injury to any part of our national body is an injury to the whole." Dekelaita, who has a successful career as a lawyer and is a well-respected community leader among Assyrian-Americans after decades of engagement, vowed to continue on his path: "Attempts to discredit my character for standing on national principles will not alter my course." *Editor's note: this article has been updated by removing mentions of individuals that are not directly involved in the story.* ### Assyrians mark mother language day URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-mark-mother-language-day/ Last updated: 2026-04-28T21:10:21.000Z **For the Assyrian** people, this day is not a celebration of a "heritage" kept in museums, but a fierce struggle to keep a living tongue breathing in the very places it was born. UNESCO warns that Assyrian dialects are among the most endangered in the world. However, on this International Mother Language Day, the message from Assyria is clear: The language of Mesopotamia is not a relic of the past. From the limestone monasteries of Tur Abdin to the fertile fields of the Niniveh Plains, and from the riverbanks of Gozarto to the rugged mountains of Nahla, the Assyrian language remains the indestructible bridge between the past and the future. The geography of the Assyrian homeland mirrors the linguistic map of the two primary dialects: western- and eastern Assyrian. Tur Abdin in Southeast Turkey is the sacred heart of Western Assyrian. Despite decades of emigration, the monks and the remaining families continue to pray and teach in the tongue of the prophets, refusing to let the "Mountain of Servants" fall silent. In the Niniveh Plain, Eastern Assyrian is the pulse of daily life. In the towns of Alqosh and Baghdede, and across Iraqi Assyria, Eastern Assyrian is not just a liturgical language, it is the language of the market, the home, and the resistance. This Gozarto region in northeast Syria serves as a unique crossroads where both dialects have historically met, carried by refugees from various waves of displacement, creating a vibrant linguistic tapestry along the Khabur River. "Our language is our fortress," many Assyrians maintain, explaining that "When we speak Assyrian, we are reclaiming our right to exist on our land." Meanwhile, in the Niniveh Plains, the post-ISIS reconstruction is as much about rebuilding schools as it is about reviving the Syriac curriculum. The survival of the language is seen as the ultimate proof of resilience after the genocide attempt of 2014. Whether it is the Western Assyrian whispered in the ancient halls of Mor Gabriel or the Eastern Assyrian shouted by children playing in the streets of Tel Keppe, the voice of the Assyrian people continues to echo across the plains and mountains of Assyria. [New Assyrian fonts released for modern digital useA new collection of modern Assyrian computer fonts has been released, offering designers, writers, educators, and institutions fresh tools to use the Assyrian script across digital platforms.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-92.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Fonts-mockup.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/new-assyrian-fonts-released-for-modern-digital-use/) ### Assyrians risk becoming strangers on their own land without a political solution to land ownership in Türkiye URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-risk-becoming-strangers-on-their-own-land-without-a-political-solution-to-land-ownership-in-turkiye/ Last updated: 2026-02-20T18:17:49.000Z **Our parents and** grandparents left Tur Abdin in southeast Türkiye during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. They did not leave in search of comfort or opportunity abroad. They left because life had become uncertain, because pressure was mounting, and because they no longer felt secure about their future. Leaving behind their homes, vineyards, fields, and orchards – lands that had sustained their families for generations. Few believed the departure would be permanent. Most believed that one day conditions would change and that the door would still be open for return. Decades later, we are confronting a reality that few could have imagined. During the cadastral and land registration processes carried out in the 2000s, vast areas of land in historically Assyrian villages were reclassified as state property by Türkiye and registered as treasury land, forest land, or pasture. These changes did not concern just a few scattered plots. They affected entire landscapes. **For example, in the village of Inwardo (Gülgöze), more than 32 million square meters, equaling around 4 500 football fields, were transferred into state ownership. In Hah (Anıtlı), the figure exceeds 28 million square meters. In Mzizah (Doğançay), nearly 50 million square meters have likewise been registered under state ownership. The same issue exists throughout all our villages in Tur Abdin.** These are not marginal adjustments. They are enormous territories. This land once formed the agricultural and economic backbone of entire communities. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Tur-Abdin-1.png) These registrations took place during a period when most of the Assyrian/Syriac population had already migrated and was living abroad. Many families were no longer physically present to monitor, challenge, or even fully comprehend the administrative processes unfolding in their absence. Today, as more Assyrians/Syriacs visit their villages, restore homes, and consider long-term investment or return, they encounter a legal reality that is difficult to ignore. Land that had been cultivated and regarded as family property for centuries is no longer registered in their names. **Without secure property rights, there can be no meaningful return. No community can build a sustainable future on uncertain legal grounds. Investment becomes risky. Development becomes complicated. Long-term planning becomes fragile. What begins as an administrative reclassification gradually evolves into a structural transformation of ownership and control.** Due to the importance and urgency of this issue, over the past year and a half we have systematically mapped these changes in the land registry. Based on the data we have gathered and documented, the figures are no longer speculative; they are verified. The issue is no longer about identifying the problem. It has been identified. The question now is whether there is political will to address it and resolve it through action by the Turkish authorities. When tens of millions of square meters in individual villages have shifted into state ownership, this cannot be resolved through isolated court cases pursued by individual families. The scale of the matter exceeds individual litigation. It requires a political framework and a structured review. It requires recognition that many of these registrations occurred during a period when a large part of the indigenous population was effectively absent. It requires a solution that is transparent, lawful, and fair. If this situation remains unaddressed, the long-term consequences will not be abstract. They will be tangible, and they will affect the very existence of our people in our homeland. Our presence in Tur Abdin will become symbolic rather than structural. We may continue to visit, to celebrate, and to remember, but without territorial and legal anchoring, our ability to remain a living, rooted community in the region will steadily erode. This would be catastrophic for Assyrians/Syriacs, but it is equally bad for Türkiye's long-term stability and interest. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Hah.png) Drone footage of the village of Hah (Anıtlı). Beyond its historical dimension, this issue also carries strategic importance for Türkiye. A stronger Assyrian/Syriac presence in Tur Abdin would contribute to demographic balance, local stability, and long-term regional resilience in a sensitive border area. Encouraging lawful return, property security, and investment from the Assyrian/Syriac diaspora would stimulate economic development and strengthen social cohesion in the region. **The Assyrian/Syriac diaspora community also serves as a natural bridge between Türkiye and western societies. Policies that reinforce trust, diversity, and inclusion would enhance Türkiye’s international standing while contributing to national stability. A stable and vibrant Tur Abdin is not only in the interest of Assyrian/Syriacs, it aligns with Türkiye’s long-term strategic interests as well.** Our parents left believing that one day they or their children could return to something that still belonged to them. That belief sustained generations in the diaspora. The question now is whether that possibility is being quietly narrowed through administrative procedures. **The documentation exists. The numbers are known. The scale is clear. What remains is the political decision of the Turkish authorities to act.** Without that, we risk becoming strangers on land that once defined who we are. The time for a political solution is not in the future. It is urgent. It is now. ### Assyrian Catholic bishop under investigation for embezzlement and brothel visits URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-catholic-bishop-under-investigation-for-mbezzlement-and-brothel-visits/ Last updated: 2026-02-20T12:15:10.000Z **According to reporting** by *The Pillar*, a Catholic news site, Assyrian bishop Emanuel Shaleta, head of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego, has submitted his resignation amid a Vatican-ordered investigation into serious allegations of financial impropriety and personal misconduct. The inquiry began after parish finance officials at St. Peter’s Chaldean Cathedral in El Cajon, California, identified irregular banking activity dating back to late 2024\. Documents reviewed by *The Pillar* suggest that hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent and other parish funds were diverted through internal accounts meant for charitable aid, with at least $427,000 documented and potential irregularities approaching $1 million. In addition to the financial concerns, the investigation’s dossier includes claims of improper conduct, including multiple late-night trips across the U.S.–Mexico border to an establishment in Tijuana described in local media as a brothel. A private investigator cited by *The Pillar* reported surveillance of the bishop’s movements in connection with this activity. [Charity linked to popular Assyrian preacher highlighted for multi-million house developments and acquisitionsThe Sydney Morning Herald has reported that a charity linked to Assyrian preacher Mar Mari Emmanuel plans to spend AUD 2.2M on a “luxury six-bedroom home with a library, music room, and large underground garage.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-90.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Mar-Mari-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/charity-linked-to-popular-assyrian-preacher-highlighted-for-multi-million-house-developments-and-acquisitions/) The Vatican’s Dicastery for Eastern Churches delegated the canonical inquiry to the Archbishop of Los Angeles, and a civil investigation by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is also underway. To date, Shaleta’s resignation has notbeen formally accepted by the Vatican, and Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Sako is reported to be advocating for him to remain in leadership or serve in another capacity, according to sources cited by *The Pillar*. [San Diego Chaldean bishop accused of embezzlement, brothel visits, amid Vatican investigationReport documents “questionable and suspicious behavior” from Bishop Emanuel Shaleta![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/https-3A-2F-2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F5a6238c2-6f9b-4612-917f-d2385a832b7c-2Fapple-touch-icon-180x180.png)The PillarThe Pillar![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F33b2a95f-fc19-49f6-b52b-1d3d09ee0693_2360x1502.png)](https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/san-diego-chaldean-bishop-accused?utm%5Fmedium=web&ref=assyriapost.com) ### Rare Assyrian relief of Ashur and Ishtar unearthed in Nineveh URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/rare-assyrian-relief-of-gods-ashur-and-ishtar-unearthed-in-nineveh/ Last updated: 2026-02-19T22:37:52.000Z The relief, [discovered](https://armstronginstitute.org/1418-ashur-and-ishtar-found-at-nineveh?ref=assyriapost.com) in the North Palace of Nineveh near modern-day Mosul, dates to the 7th century BCE and shows King Ashurbanipal flanked by the god Ashur and the goddess Ishtar, a rare depiction of Assyrian deities in palace art. Ashur was the chief national god of ancient Assyria and symbolized imperial authority, while Ishtar was the goddess of fertility and war and the patroness of Nineveh. The massive relief slab, originally measuring approximately 5.5 meters in length and 3 meters in height, was found in fragments behind a niche opposite the entrance to the throne room and would once have occupied a prominent position within the palace. Archaeologists plan further study of the relief, which is expected to provide new insights into Assyrian art, religious symbolism, and imperial ideology. ### Armenia’s Election Commission opens minority representation opportunity for Assyrians URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/armenias-election-commission-opens-minority-representation-opportunity-for-assyrians/ Last updated: 2026-02-19T22:29:24.000Z The Republic of Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission has confirmed that in the upcoming parliamentary elections, party lists may include representatives from the country’s four largest ethnic minority communities: Yezidis, Russians, Assyrians, and Kurds – in a designated section of the electoral list. The move provides a structured avenue for minority groups to gain formal political representation in the National Assembly. For the Assyrian community in Armenia, estimated at around 2,755 people according to the latest census figures, this development has practical significance. Under Armenia’s electoral framework, political parties are permitted to include minority candidates in a specially designated portion of their candidate lists. If included and elected, these candidates can serve in the National Assembly as minority representatives without needing to compete in the general proportional vote. This mechanism is designed to ensure that ethnic minorities, including Assyrians, have a voice in legislative processes and that their specific interests and concerns are considered at the national political level. While the Assyrian population remains a small percentage of Armenia’s overall demographic landscape, this electoral provision, if leveraged effectively, can help secure meaningful political representation and protection for Assyrian cultural and civic interests in the country’s evolving democratic landscape. ### Charity linked to popular Assyrian preacher highlighted for multi-million house developments and acquisitions URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/charity-linked-to-popular-assyrian-preacher-highlighted-for-multi-million-house-developments-and-acquisitions/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T21:56:07.000Z **The Sydney Morning** Herald, one of Australia's most prominent newspapers, [reports](https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/grand-designs-charity-run-by-stabbed-bishop-plans-luxury-six-bedroom-home-20260212-p5o1m9.html?ref=assyriapost.com) that this is not the only property development by the tax-exempt OneJesus Limited, as it has reportedly bought "a string of homes" for "people with special needs". Mar Mari Emmanuel is said to be registered as a director of OneJesus. The SMH report informs that corporate records show that the OneJesus charity has also bought two other properties in Sydney suburb Wakeley, for a combined 3.4 million AUD. OneJesus was founded in 2020 with the aim of "acquiring properties that are suitable for people with special needs and hiring our facilities for food \[sic\] hamper programs." The planned 2.2 million six-bedroom home is meant to be for disabled people in need according to the charity. The report in the Sydney Morning Herald does not allege any misconduct by the charity or by Mar Mari Emmanuel himself concerning the house developments and acquisitions. ### Aggravated indecent assault and suspension Mar Mari Emmanuel, also known as Robert Shlimon, had been previously charged with aggravated indecent assault after a woman who had reached out to his church seeking guidance in 2013 said he touched her. The 18 year old woman reported that Mar Mari Emmanuel invited her to his home at night. She reported that she froze when he began to touch her stomach and breasts, and later reached inside her pants. According to the witness of the young woman he told her "I can be your father, your brother, anything you like". The charge was dismissed in 2014 as Magistrate Elaine Truscott said she was unable to find beyond reasonable doubt that Emmanuel was conscious of the lack of consent. “The defendant has taken advantage of this vulnerable and confused young woman for his own pleasure,” Truscott said in her findings on June 10, 2014\. But she ultimately dismissed the charge against him. Emmanuel, whose role as bishop required celibacy, had pleaded not guilty, denying the sexual touching ever took place. That same year, he was suspended from his church, St Zaia Cathedral at Middleton Grange, which is part of the Ancient Church of The East, before he left and became leader of the breakaway church Christ The Good Shepherd. He has since become popular online for his sermons and made headlines when he was attacked in April 2024 with a knife during a live-streamed sermon. ### Renewed Assyrian-American advocacy behind Congressman's letter to Trump URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/renewed-assyrian-american-advocacy-behind-congressmans-letter-to-trump/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T21:44:28.000Z **U.S. Congressman** Darin LaHood, representative for Illinois’ 16th Congressional District which is home to many Assyrian-Americans, urged President Donald J. Trump to take immediate action to support Iraq’s Assyrians, emphasizing the issue as both a moral obligation and a strategic interest for the United States, according to [Nineveh News](https://ninevehnews.com/2026/02/18/breaking-congressman-lahood-urges-prompt-presidential-action-to-support-chaldean-syriac-assyrians/?ref=assyriapost.com). LaHood called on the administration to pressure both Baghdad and Erbil to fully implement Article 125 of Iraq’s Constitution, which guarantees political, cultural, and administrative rights to the indigenous Assyrian nation but has largely gone unfulfilled. He stressed that enforcing existing constitutional protections, restoring election quotas, enabling diaspora voting, and supporting grassroots Assyrian organizations would help stem emigration, strengthen stability, and preserve Assyrian presence in the Nineveh Plains and beyond. LaHood argued that, given the United States’ role in shaping Iraq’s post-2003 framework, Washington has both the leverage and responsibility to ensure these rights are honored, framing this as essential to U.S. diplomatic and security objectives in the region. According to the report in Nineveh News, Assyrian organizations across the United States have intensified their coordination, committing to a more deliberate and unified strategy to advance shared interests. ### Nineveh governor reaffirms support for Assyrian return URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/nineveh-governor-reaffirms-support-for-assyrian-return/ Last updated: 2026-02-17T20:59:29.000Z **Nineveh Governor Abdul** Qader Al-Dakhil received Mosul-born Assyrian Archbishop Mar Toma Dawod, Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, during a visit focused on the situation of Assyrians in the province and efforts to encourage their return to Mosul and surrounding areas. According to a statement from the governor’s office, the meeting addressed the local government’s plan to facilitate the return of Assyrian families to their neighborhoods inside Mosul as well as to towns and sub-districts across Nineveh. Al-Dakhil noted that a new Assyrian Christian family has recently returned to Mosul and called on others to uphold their historic identity and consider returning to their ancestral areas. He also revealed that a delegation of Mosuli Assyrians residing in the United Kingdom is expected to visit the city in the near future to assess conditions and developments firsthand. [Nineveh’s governor wants Assyrians to returnThe current governor of Nineveh says he wants Assyrians not only to stay, but to return – and he is taking concrete steps to improve life for them across the province.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-88.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Al-Dakhil-1-3.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/ninevehs-governor-wants-assyrians-to-return/) The Post has previously reported on Al-Dakhil’s outreach to Assyrians. In earlier statements, the governor pledged support for reconstruction in historically Assyrian areas, the protection of church properties, and coordination with community representatives to address security and service related concerns. While challenges remain, including limited job opportunities and infrastructure gaps, local authorities have repeatedly stated that restoring demographic balance and encouraging displaced families to return is a priority for the province’s long term stability. [University of Mosul announces Assyrian language departmentThe Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Iraq has officially approved the establishment of an Assyrian Language Department at the University of Mosul. The announcement, issued on July 26, 2025, affirms the inclusion of Assyrian into the university’s academic offerings starting this academic year. The move comes![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-89.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-08-at-16.50.19-1-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/mo/) The latest meeting comes amid ongoing efforts to promote coexistence and reverse the demographic decline that followed the 2014 ISIS onslaught, which led to the mass displacement of Assyrians from Mosul and the wider Nineveh Plain. ### Ancient city from Alexander the Great's empire found in Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ancient-city-from-alexander-the-greats-empire-found-in-iraq/ Last updated: 2026-02-17T20:57:26.000Z Until recent years, however, its exact location remained lost to archaeologists. According to a report by [*La Brújula Verde*](https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2026/02/the-resurgence-of-a-forgotten-metropolis-science-rediscovers-the-lost-alexandria-of-the-tigris/?ref=assyriapost.com), new research has not only helped rediscover the site, but has provided new details about its extensive size and layout. An international team of scholars led by University of Konstanz archaeologist Stefan Hauser relied on aerial photography, drone imagery, and surface surveys to confirm the city’s location at Jebel Khayyaber in present-day Iraq. Geophysical surveys revealed an organized network of streets, walls, canals, and *insulae* that are among the largest residential blocks found anywhere in the ancient world. Images also detected vast temple complexes and industrial districts. “We then realized that what we had before us was the equivalent of Alexandria on the Nile,” says Hauser. Between 300 b.c and A.D. 300, the city, which was later renamed Charax Spasinou, grew into a major trade center along routes that connected Mesopotamia, India, Afghanistan, and China. By the third century A.D., however, the course of the Tigris River had gradually shifted away from the settlement, inevitably leading to its decline. ### Assyria TV operations at risk following bank account suspension URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyria-tv-operations-at-risk-following-bank-account-suspension/ Last updated: 2026-02-16T22:25:06.000Z **The channel’s representatives** disclosed the development during a January 12 news broadcast. According to editor Dikran Ego, the bank Svenska Enskilda Banken, SEB, has suspended the station’s access to its accounts. "We have around half a million of funds now frozen that we cannot access", Ego said during the broadcast, referring to approximately 500,000 Swedish kronor currently unavailable to the organization. Assyria TV, which operates from Södertälje and primarily serves the Assyrian community in Sweden and the diaspora since 2007, is largely financed through individual donations, supplemented to some extent by advertising revenue. The channel has for years provided news coverage, cultural programming and community debates in both Assyrian and Swedish, and has positioned itself as an independent voice within the community. According to the channel, SEB has justified the suspension by citing the presence of donors from outside Sweden. In recent years, Swedish banks have significantly tightened their compliance routines in response to stricter European Union anti money laundering and counter terrorist financing legislation. The regulatory framework obliges banks to conduct extensive due diligence on customers, particularly associations and organizations that receive cross border payments. Failure to comply can result in heavy fines and reputational damage. The tougher regulatory climate has affected a broad range of civil society organizations across Sweden and the wider European Union. Numerous associations, NGOs and small community based initiatives have reported account closures, frozen funds or prolonged reviews when attempting to open or maintain bank accounts. The issue has been especially visible among immigrant communities, where cross border donations and international networks are common. In Södertälje, a town south of Stockholm with one of the largest Assyrian populations in Europe, several Assyrian business owners and associations have in recent years reported difficulties with banks, including sudden account terminations. The developments have fueled concerns within the community about collective suspicion and disproportionate scrutiny. Ozcan Kaldoyo, a Swedish Assyrian activist who has closely followed the issue, [accused authorities](https://telgenytt.se/kaldoyo-dolt-samarbete-mot-assyr-syrianer/?ref=assyriapost.com), including Södertälje municipality, of contributing to what he described as a witch hunt against Assyrian businesses and associations. He argued that the pattern of closures and restrictions risks undermining trust between institutions and the community. For Assyria TV, the immediate concern is operational survival. "Given the situation, we no longer know how much longer we can maintain our operations", Ego said, underscoring the uncertainty facing the media outlet. ### Etiquette in ancient Assyria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/etiquette-in-ancient-assyria/ Last updated: 2026-02-16T22:27:24.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. “Our analysis of etiquette suggests these were not religious gestures, as previously thought,” he adds. “Rather, the clasping hands gesture indicated that the hands had been active and that duties were successfully achieved. The pointing finger was simply a means of indicating specific sections within inscribed texts or images.” This work enabled Portuese to redefine etiquette in Assyria – a word that only emerged in France in the 1580s – as a set of conventions that regulate interactions between individuals." “We were able to develop the fundamental idea that people adhere to etiquette rules, in ancient Mesopotamia as much as today, out of fear of being excluded or ostracised from a group,” he notes. “Fear, in essence, is the real reason driving individuals to adopt and adapt to social rules.” *Read the full story:* [Ancient Assyria sheds new light on importance of etiquetteUnderstanding the role that etiquette plays in regulating individual interactions and group cohesion can provide new insights into how…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-10.png)CORDIS | European CommissionCORDIS, cordis.europa.eu![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/453758.jpg)](https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/453758-ancient-assyria-sheds-new-light-on-importance-of-etiquette?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Cardinal Sako's attempt to sow division backfires spectacularly URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/cardinal-sakos-attempt-to-sow-division-backfires-spectacularly/ Last updated: 2026-02-15T23:28:54.000Z **The Chaldean Catholic** Patriarch of Baghdad, who has led the Church since 2013 and was elevated to the rank of cardinal in 2018, now faces criticism from across the Assyrian spectrum, including his own church. Instead of receiving approval, his statements have prompted a broad and vocal rejection of division. A united chorus of prominent Assyrians, including several members of the Chaldean Church itself, have publicly rejected what they describe as divisive rhetoric. Reactions in online forums and community discussions suggest that rather than deepening internal fault lines, the remarks have generated a near universal pushback against further fragmentation of the Assyrian people. [Finish the verse, O… finish the verseAnthropological confusion, historical irony and genealogical fallacy – that is how Daniel Sada characterizes the latest controversial statement by Assyrian Patriarch Louis Sako seeking to divide the Assyrian nation.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-87.png)The Assyria PostDaniel Sada![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1554696468-19f8c7a71ad5.jpeg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/finish-the-verse-o-finish-the-verse/) ### "A descent into juvenile exchanges" Assyrian journalist Steven Nabil, who has a large online following, shared a ten minute video in which he laid out his rejection of the patriarch’s comments. "I am from the Assyrian Church of the East and my wife is from the Chaldean Church - what identity does our son have according to Louis Sako..", he asked rhetorically. Several intellectuals who are themselves members of the Chaldean Church have also spoken out. Jamil Diyarbakirli, head of the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights, issued a scathing critique, writing: "It has long been believed that occupying the patriarchal throne requires a spirit elevated above trivialities and a wisdom that weighs words on scales of gold. Yet what Patriarch Louis Sako presents to us today shatters that image, not through an abundance of spirituality, but through a descent into juvenile exchanges unbefitting even a novice deacon in a remote church.." Criticism has also come from political representatives. Iraqi Parliament Rapporteur and member of the Babylon Bloc, Evan Jabro, who is likewise affiliated with the Chaldean Church, addressed the issue in a more measured tone. "There are attempts to sow discord among us and to cast doubt on our roots. Our unity is a historical reality, and statements issued by certain religious and political figures should reflect a spirit of responsibility and respect", she said. > **Sowing division and hatred is not a spiritual mission, but a satanic cause that brings destruction instead of love** ### "A satanic project to divide" Ephrem Yildiz, professor at the University of Salamanca and a member of the Chaldean Church, described Sako’s statement as a "satanic project to divide the Assyrians.” Cardinal Sako, he wrote, "has crossed all red lines and, in his statement, revealed a satanic project aimed at separating the Chaldeans from the Assyrian people and weakening their unity for personal ambitions." The professor continued: "You were called to the priesthood, not to politics. The unity of the people stands above all else. Sowing division and hatred is not a spiritual mission, but a satanic cause that brings destruction instead of love.” [Bishop’s controversial remarks on Assyrian empire sparks debateRemarks attributed to an Assyrian bishop from the Chaldean Catholic Church disparaging the Assyrian Empire have sparked widespread criticism among Assyrians worldwide, reigniting debate over history, identity, and the role of church leadership.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-86.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Bishop-and-Yildiz.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/bishops-controversial-remarks-on-assyrian-empire-sparks-debate/) The criticism has not been limited to public figures. In social media discussions, many ordinary Assyrians from all denominations voiced frustration. One commentator wrote: "We do not live in the Middle Ages where people blindly believed what religious leaders preached and we are not sheep to be labelled according to the personal views of a bishop or patriarch." [Heated debate as patriarch forces removal of memorial to beloved bishop in AlqoshPatriarch Louis Sako faces increasing criticism following controversial decisions that have angered Assyrian communities.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-85.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/573282407_3733893966743415_6002761076551427903_n-1.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/heated-debate-as-patriarch-forces-removal-of-memorial-to-beloved-bishop-in-alqosh/) ### A long history of controversy Cardinal Sako has long been regarded as a polarizing figure among Assyrians and in Iraq where he has previously been involved in a number of contentious episodes. Following the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, then Bishop Sako opposed efforts to establish the Nineveh Plain as a separate province, arguing against what he described as the creation of a "Christian ghetto," while at the same time expressing support for the Kurdish-led region. [Assyrian Cardinal faces Iraqi backlash over perceived call for normalization with IsraelRemarks made by Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako during Christmas Mass in Baghdad have sparked controversy in Iraq, after his use of the term “normalization” was interpreted by some as carrying political implications in a country where such language is legally and socially sensitive.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-84.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Sako-Sudani.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-cardinal-faces-iraqi-backlash-over-perceived-call-for-normalization-with-israel/) More recently, he made remarks that were interpreted by some as supporting normalization between Iraq and Israel, prompting backlash from segments of Iraqi society and calls from certain members of parliament for legal action. He also became embroiled in a public dispute with Rayan al Kaldani, which led to tensions over his official recognition as head of the Chaldean church by the Iraqi state and ultimately resulted in his temporary relocation to Erbil, a development he admitted was humiliating. Cardinal Sako’s family is originally from the Assyrian village of Perzawa, near Zakho in the Dohuk region of northern Iraq. The village lies in the historic Assyrian heartland, and its inhabitants were traditionally members of the Assyrian Church of the East before later ecclesiastical realignments in the region saw the creation of the Chaldean church following efforts by catholic missionaries to Assyria. ### Gilgamesh epic returns to Istanbul in opera form URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/gilgamesh-epic-returns-to-istanbul-in-opera-form/ Last updated: 2026-02-15T22:24:09.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "The “Gilgamesh Opera,” staged by the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, will return to the stage at Istanbul’s Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM) after receiving strong audience interest last season. The epic work by Turkish composer Ahmed Adnan Saygun will be performed on Feb. 18 and Feb. 21 at the AKM Turk Telekom Opera Hall, according to official announcements." *Read the full article:* [Ancient Mesopotamian epic Gilgamesh returns to Istanbul in opera form - Türkiye TodayIstanbul State Opera and Ballet will stage Ahmed Adnan Saygun’s ‘Gilgamesh Opera’ at Ataturk Cultural Center between Feb. 18-21![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-9.png)Türkiye TodayNewsroom![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/ancient-mesopotamian-epic-gilgamesh-returns-to-istanbul-with-modern-opera-production-3214539_20260214172255.jpg)](https://www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/ancient-mesopotamian-epic-gilgamesh-returns-to-istanbul-with-modern-opera-production-3214539?s=1&ref=assyriapost.com) ### Midyat moves to protect and restore Assyrian heritage URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/mi/ Last updated: 2026-02-14T21:58:08.000Z **The municipality of** Midyat has intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal constructions in the ancient Assyrian quarter of the town, which is classified as an Urban Conservation Area. In a recently released video clip, municipal workers are seen demolishing modern additions attached to historic buildings. "Within the Urban Conservation Area, unauthorized additions and structures incompatible with the historical fabric are being removed one by one," the municipality stated, adding that the work is being carried out in accordance with Law No. 2863 on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets and the decisions of the Regional Council for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. The initiative forms part of a broader plan to restore and preserve the unique character of the ancient Assyrian town, which today has a small but steadily growing Assyrian community. The removal of unauthorized additions is only one component of a wider preservation strategy. "We carefully safeguard every stone of our ancient Midyat, preserving its unique silhouette and spirit," the municipality wrote. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-14-at-20.54.26.png) Before and after photo of one of the restored facades in Midyat. Photo: municipality of Midyat. Veysi Şahin, head of the municipality, announced that 60 kilometers of restoration work have been completed under the Street Sanitation and Facade Improvement Plan. "In accordance with the projects approved by the Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Assets; we have renovated our streets, bazaars and squares with great meticulousness and proper care," he wrote, sharing before-and-after photos of several restored facades. "Our goal," he added, "is to restore all our streets to their ancient identity without ruining the urban aesthetics or damaging the historical texture." The effort reflects a growing consciousness in Turkey regarding the importance of cultural heritage preservation, an area where European countries have long maintained some of the strictest regulatory frameworks. Şahin’s determination in this endeavor is evident: "Midyat is not merely a heritage, it is a trust. We are determined to pass this unique legacy on to future generations." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-14-at-20.57.17.png) Before and after photo of one of the restored facades in Midyat. Photo: municipality of Midyat. As the central town of Tur Abdin in Turkish Assyria, Midyat witnessed the rise of a prosperous Assyrian upper class prior to the genocide of 1915, which left a profound mark on the region. The city is renowned for its castle-like mansions, built from local limestone by Assyrian masons. Several of these historic family residences have since been converted into museums, standing today as reminders of a once-flourishing community. ### Nineveh revives chamomile flower planting around historic sites URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/nineveh-revives-chamomile-flower-planting-around-historic-sites/ Last updated: 2026-02-14T21:47:48.000Z The aim of the initiative is to preserve both the heritage and the environmental landscape of the city’s archaeological sites, reports Shafaq News. Ruwaid Al-Layla, the department’s director, told Shafaq News that the project focuses on protecting areas around heritage sites, particularly spots that have in recent years become informal waste dumps. “Planting the flower helps restore the value of these areas, enhances their environmental and aesthetic appeal, and raises public awareness about the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage,” he said. ### On a mission to create ambassadors for Assyria's culture URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/on-a-mission-to-create-ambassadors-for-assyrias-culture/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T22:00:05.000Z **In a comprehensive** interview with Assyria TV aired in March 2021, Professor Yildiz outlined a visionary roadmap for the preservation of Assyrian heritage, language, and culture, a mission he describes not as a dream, but as a "historical necessity." Born in the village of Harbol in south-eastern Turkey, Yildiz left his homeland at the age of 13\. Like many of his generation, he was caught between the remnants of an ancient culture and a modern educational system that sought to "Turkify" minorities. After moving to Germany and later studying in Italy, Yildiz eventually settled in Spain. "I discovered my own legacy and people not in my land, but while abroad," Yildiz reflected during the interview. This realisation sparked a lifelong promise: to use the tools of western academia to recover what was lost through centuries of genocide and displacement. ### A New Academic Frontier: The Nineveh Chair The pinnacle of Yildiz’s 25-year academic career is the establishment of the Nineveh Academic Chair at the University of Salamanca. This initiative aims to centralise the study of Assyrian history and language within an official university framework. Key pillars of the project include scholarships for the next generation. The chair has since its inception announced scholarships for Assyrian students pursuing a doctorate in language or history. Another key project is a digital platform to teach Assyrian to students and the diaspora worldwide, ensuring that the ancient tongue survives the pressures of assimilation. Moreover, the Nineveh Academic Chair has convened annual international congresses, hosting a global gathering of experts to discuss Assyrian identity, bridging the gap between historical memory and current reality. In the interview, Professor Yildiz is stark about the challenges facing the Assyrian community in the diaspora. He warns of a "process of assimilation" that is absorbing the youth into Western cultures at the expense of their roots. "A nation without education will die out," he stated emphatically. He believes the key to survival lies in moving beyond religious denominations, which often divide the community, and uniting under a shared national and linguistic identity. Despite his senior position, Yildiz remains focused on a singular goal: training at least 100 Assyrian experts over the next decade to act as "ambassadors" for their culture. He urged the Assyrian nation to invest in education rather than just individual success. His final message to the viewers was one of hope and collective action: "If we work with love, conviction, and strength, Assyria will become a reality. It is just a question of time". ### Assyrian carving may have been the earliest-known depiction of Jerusalem URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-carving-may-have-been-the-earliest-known-depiction-of-jerusalem/ Last updated: 2026-02-13T22:02:16.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "In 2016, Islamic State terrorists entered the palace, in modern-day Mosul, Iraq, and systematically smashed the artifacts. The long-surviving sculptures had enabled modern scholars to compare biblical information on Sennacherib with historical sources and archaeological findings since the 19th century. Had they not been destroyed, they would have likely had more to offer. Among the treasures broken in the terror group’s campaign of destruction was a slab of stone that had adorned Sennacherib’s opulent throne room, which scholars long ago concluded depicts the Assyrian siege of the Philistine city of Eltekeh. But new research analyzing photographs and drawings of the largely overlooked bas-relief before its destruction suggests that it actually shows Jerusalem, making it the oldest-known depiction of the city." Read the full story [here](https://www.timesofisrael.com/smashed-by-isis-a-2700-year-old-carving-may-have-been-the-earliest-known-depiction-of-jerusalem/?ref=assyriapost.com). ### Finish the verse, O… finish the verse URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/finish-the-verse-o-finish-the-verse/ Last updated: 2026-02-15T12:50:01.000Z Background: The Assyrian patriarch Louis Sako, head of the Chaldean Church, [recently argued](https://chaldeanpatriarchate.com/2026/02/09/chaldean-identity/?ref=assyriapost.com) that "Chaldean", a church denomination, constitutes an ethnic identity of its own, urging for division of the Assyrian nation along denominational labels. **How is it** possible—plausible, let alone comprehensible—that a man occupying the office ofCardinal Louis Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Church, vested with the aura of sacred authority and adorned with an impressive catalogue of academic degrees, could stand upon a holy altar, under divine oath, and utter what can only be described as anthropological confusion, historical irony, and genealogical fallacy? This is not a lapse whispered in private, nor an error buried in an obscure footnote. It is a public proclamation, delivered in a sanctified space, before a believing people, in an age where knowledge is neither scarce nor inaccessible. We live in a time when sources, languages, manuscripts, and critical scholarship are available at the press of a button—yet we are asked to accept such assertions as immutable truth, unexamined and unquestioned, as though the modern intellect itself were to be suspended at the church door. Let us presume—charitably—that the Patriarch and his audience rely primarily, if not exclusively, on the Old Testament. Even under this narrow constraint, one cannot help but ask: how does such a conclusion survive even the most elementary act of reading? If there is but one source, then let it be read fully. Let the Cardinal continue—not selectively, not ceremonially—but *honestly*. We read in **Isaiah 23:13** (Hebrew OT, Masoretic Text): הֵן אֶרֶץ כַּשְׂדִּים, זֶה הָעָם לֹא הָיָה, אַשּׁוּר יְסָדָהּ לְצִיִּים. הֵקִימוּ בַחוּנָיו, עוֹרְרוּ אַרְמְנוֹתֶיהָ, שָׂמָהּ לְמַפֵּלָה. (ישעיה כג יג) *“Behold the land of the Kasdîm—this people did not exist; Asshur founded it for those who dwell in the wilderness. They raised its towers, they set up its palaces, and he brought it to ruin.”* Even within the very text so often invoked with reverence, the statement is unambiguous: **the land and its people are not primordial, not autochthonous, not ancestral in the way later claims insist—but founded by Ashur.** This is not an interpretive stretch. It is the plain reading of the verse. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Louis-Sako.png) Assyrian church leader Louis Sako of the Chaldean Catholic Church. What deepens the dissonance is the uncomfortable philological reality that the term *“Chaldean”* itself does **not** exist in the original Hebrew Bible as a stable ethnic or civilizational self-designation. It is a later anachronism, filtered through translations, hardened by repetition, and sanctified by habit rather than by text. In several ancient and early translations, the same term is rendered with markedly unflattering—and at times openly denigrating—descriptors.And yet, we are asked—implicitly, sometimes explicitly—to accept that an entire ancestry, language, land, culture, and identity descend from this unstable terminology, rather than from the civilization that the text itself names as the founder. Is the Cardinal truly prepared—academically, historically, and ethically—to stand by such a proclamation? A child with a rudimentary grasp of history would ask the most basic question: Where are the cities? Where are the reliefs, the panels, the tablets, the walls? Where is the literature, the art, the legal corpus, the architectural footprint, the civilizational residue of this claimed lineage? Civilizations leave traces. Empires leave scars, monuments, archives, and memory. Identity is not conjured by titles, nor inherited by ecclesiastical decree—it is attested, layered, and preserved through time. At what point did respect for the intellect of the faithful become negotiable? At what moment did reverence for truth yield to convenience of narrative? This is not an attack on faith. It is a defense of reason. Not a denial of belief, but a refusal to sanctify error. Not hostility, but accountability. What a loss—when history is simplified at the altar. What a shame—when scholarship is invoked but not exercised. And what a tragedy—when a people are asked to forget what even Scripture itself does not deny. **Finish the verse.** ### Assyriska FF releases AI short film “Awake, Son of Assyria” URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyriska-ff-releases-ai-short-film-awake-son-of-assyria/ Last updated: 2026-02-12T21:30:35.000Z It's not common for a football team to release a short film, but Assyriska FF, the immigrant football club in Sodertalje Sweden is everything but a regular club. The full film, only about 4 minutes long, was released on February 8 in a tribute to the national icon Naum Faik Palak whose call to “Awake” in one of his most well known poems continues to resonate more than a century later. Despite the short format the film manages to deliver a powerful message of remembrance, pride, and national unity. The production is both a tribute to the past and a vision for the future, says Assyriska FF in the release description. The AI production used advanced subject-scanning and identity-capture technology to digitally scan the entire team in the making of the film. The players were then placed into a shared AI environment, allowing them to move seamlessly between past and present, from ancient Assyria to the modern arena. The result is a striking visual narrative where the same individuals embody both the warriors and builders of history and the athletes of today. Assyriska FF competes in Ettan Norra, which is the third tier of the Swedish football league system. The team has been struggling with a tough financial situation for the past couple of years and the leadership of the club hope that the film, which is said to have cost around 50 thousand SEK to produce (about $5 500 USD), will ignite renewed interest in Assyriska and help it raise more funds among Assyrians around the world. ### Anti-Assyrian Nazi-Kurdish hate group in northern Iraq loses legal status URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/anti-assyrian-nazi-kurdish-hate-group-in-northern-iraq-loses-legal-status/ Last updated: 2026-02-11T21:47:13.000Z **Members of the** openly racist group have been involved in several hate crimes targeting Assyrians and other non-Kurds in the region. Hawpa was a legally registered organization within the NGO Directorate in Erbil, enjoying legal cover that allowed it to operate publicly in both civil and digital spaces. However, this registration was later used as an administrative shield for activities fundamentally incompatible with civil society work, including incitement to violence, hate speech against Assyrians and others and involvement in hostile cyber activities. [KRG acknowledges Kurdish group calling for extermination of AssyriansThe rise of a Kurdish extremist group has alarmed Assyrians in Northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-81.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-07-at-23.16.56-1-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-group-calling-for-extermination-of-assyrians/) Mona Yaqo, head of the Independent Human Rights Commission in Erbil, announced the initiation of legal proceedings against the organization in January of this year due to its incitement activities. On 9 February, she announced the revoking of the groups legal status after it was proven to have deviated from the civil framework and transformed into an extremist ideological platform, reports ANB-Sat, an Assyrian news outlet. The Hawpa organization, which uses nazi symbols and espouses nazi ideology, has been widely known for sparking controversy due to its extremist rhetoric, and has faced broad criticism for its hostile and inciteful positions toward Assyrians, Arabs, and Turkmen in northern Iraq. [New attacks on Assyrian graves and church highlight pattern of impunity in Kurdish-led Northern IraqTwo new attacks on Assyrian sites in the KRG, vandalized graves in Armota and a church stoned in Deralok, have renewed concerns over rising hostility and years of impunity for crimes targeting Assyrians.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-82.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Turkey-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/new-attacks-on-assyrian-graves-and-church-highlight-pattern-of-impunity-in-kurdish-led-northern-iraq/) Assyrians in the Kurdish-led region continue to face multiple forms of oppression. While the KRG puts a lot of effort in touting the region as a beacon of peaceful co-existence, Assyrians continue to face land grabs, discrimination and physical attacks. [Continued occupation of Assyrian lands in Northern Iraq, report saysAssyrians in Iraq continue to face the occupation of their lands and properties, according to the latest report from the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-83.png)The Assyria PostDavid Barsom![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Assyria-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/continued-occupation-of-assyrian-lands-in-northern-iraq-report-says/) ### A series of hate crimes Assyrian National Broadcasting (ANB-Sat), has compiled the following list of the Hawpa groups activities targeting Assyrians in different ways. **1 April 2025 – Axe attack in Nohadra (Duhok)** During the Assyrian New Year procession, an axe attack was carried out by an individual of Syrian Kurdish origin, leaving at least two people seriously injured. Following the incident, the Hawpa organization published a statement openly welcoming the attack, including the phrase “May your hands be blessed,” a clear endorsement of violence. **9 June 2025 – Cyberattack** The organization carried out a coordinated cyberattack targeting the ANB SAT page. The page was hacked and its image changed to the organization’s logo. Content glorifying Simko Shikak, responsible for the assassination of Patriarch Mar Benyamin Shimun, was published. Iraq’s National Security Information and Communications Department intervened, restored the page, and removed the malware. **13 June 2025 – Public incitement** Serhoze Ali Taher, head of the organization, appeared in a video describing Assyrians as “occupying Nestorians” and stated that “the era of Nohadra and Arbela is over,” language carrying direct threats and symbolic erasure of the historical Assyrian identity of northern Iraq. **20 September 2025 – Telegram** In its closed Telegram group, the organization published explicit calls to bomb Assyrian churches in the region, justifying this with ideological claims that church followers do not recognize the KRG—constituting direct incitement to religious terrorism. **24 January 2026 – Media disinformation** The organization reshared an old video documenting celebrations by Assyrians in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime, falsely promoting it as celebrations of the “genocide of Kurds” after clashes between the SDF and the Syrian Arab Army. This was a deliberate act of disinformation aimed at inciting ethnic tensions. ### Archaeologists Reveal Eerie Warnings from Ancient Mesopotamian Tablets URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/archaeologists-reveal-eerie-warnings-from-ancient-mesopotamian-tablets/ Last updated: 2026-02-11T21:43:24.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "A newly decoded collection of 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablets from Babylonia sheds light on this belief system, revealing the prophetic warnings that shaped the destiny of kings and empires. These tablets, tied to lunar eclipses, predicted catastrophic events such as the death of rulers, plagues, and the downfall of neighboring regions." Read the full story: [Archaeologists Reveal Eerie Warnings from Ancient Mesopotamian TabletsArchaeologists decode ancient Mesopotamian tablets, revealing eerie omens that predict the fall of empires and the death of kings.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/indiandefencereview-logo-8228091.png)Indian Defence ReviewEmily Carter![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/archaeologists-reveal-eerie-warnings-from-ancient-mesopotamian-tablets-scaled.png)](https://indiandefencereview.com/eerie-warning-ancient-mesopotamian-tablets/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The monasteries awaiting UNESCO designation - and what it may mean for Tur Abdin URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-monasteries-awaiting-unesco-designation-and-what-it-may-mean-for-tur-abdin/ Last updated: 2026-02-11T22:47:09.000Z **In 2021, Türkiye** nominated several ancient Assyrian monasteries and churches in the southeastern province of Mardin for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The sites include the Mor Gabriel Monastery, Deyrülzafaran Monastery, and The Church of Yoldat Āloho (Meryem Ana) in Ḥāḥ (Turkish Anıtlı), and others that constitute the most renowned landmarks in the historical Assyrian region in the south east of Türkiye. UNESCO is expected to evaluate the sites based on their historical, cultural, and architectural value, as well as the measures to ensure their preservation - a process that can take several years. ### **Both a blessing and a curse** The churches and monasteries of Tur Abdin have sometimes been caught in disputes over ownership, property rights, and lack of protection. The case of the Mor Gabriel monastery, in which nearby Kurdish villages claimed large parts of its lands as theirs and which lead to a series of court proceedings, was highlighted in media all over the world. The inclusion of Assyrian monasteries on the UNESCO list would be a major milestone, offering not only global recognition but also potential protection and perhaps even funding for preservation. Assyrians see this development as positive, but are also wary of its potential negative impact. Today, buses arrive non-stop carrying tourists from western Türkiye to visit the monasteries as pure attractions with little to no awareness of their profound and living spiritual significance for the Assyrian people. The fear is that the current trickle of domestic tourism could turn into a global flood of mass-tourism that hollows out the very spiritual and living culture elements that makes the sites special for Assyrians: While an increase in the number of visitors will benefit the region economically, questions are asked about what will be lost if these deeply spiritual ancient sites turn into objects of global mass tourism. The growing tourism to Turkish Assyria is already creating some tension. In 2025, Turkish media reported about [an incident](https://www.mardinlife.com/gundem/mardin-e-gelen-turistlere-tepki-ceken-tavir?ref=assyriapost.com) involving an Assyrian priest at one of the monasteries who was less welcoming towards tourists who wanted to take a photo with him, by saying, 'I represent a religion, I am not a subject model to take a photo, I do not want to take a photo with anyone'. The tourists, who were surprised in the face of the reaction they encountered, were reported to have hurried from the site. ### **The sites at the heart of the nomination** According to UNESCO’s tentative listing, the serial nomination comprises nine components: four monasteries and five churches in Tur Abdin. To understand the significance of this nomination, it is worth looking at the sites themselves. Each carries centuries of history and spiritual meaning. Among the best known are: **Mor Gabriel Monastery (Deyrulumur)** – Founded in 397 AD, Mor Gabriel is one of the oldest functioning Christian monasteries in the world. It remains an active religious center. In recent decades, however, it has faced legal disputes over land ownership by Kurdish settlers. **Deyro de Kurkmo Monastery (Deyrülzafaran)** – Perhaps the most famous site in Mardin, the Saffron Monastery was the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate for centuries until 1932\. Its saffron-colored stone, from which it takes its name, and its underground temple make it one of the jewels of Assyrian heritage. **The Church of Yoldath Āloho (Meryem Ana), Ḥāḥ (Anıtlı)** – Dating back to late antiquity, this church is an architectural gem that continues to serve its local Assyrian community while drawing pilgrims and visitors from afar. The full nomination file can be consulted on UNESCO’s official website ([*UNESCO Tentative List entry, April 15, 2021*](https://whc.unesco.org/fr/listesindicatives/6534/?ref=assyriapost.com)). ### How Assyria Used Religion to Become a Superpower URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/how-assyria-used-religion-to-become-a-superpower/ Last updated: 2026-02-10T20:42:25.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. The reign of Tukulti-Ninurta I was a hallmark of what was to come in the arsenal of Neo-Assyrian subjugation. Before his war with Babylon, Tukulti-Ninurta I presented himself as the king who would restore the will of the gods, thereby justifying his attack. The relationship between the Assyrian ruler and the Assyrian pantheon had been notable since the start of the Old Assyrian period, when the leader was given the title “governor on behalf of Assur.” By the height of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, the king was essentially the mouthpiece of the gods, acting as their representative on earth. The Assyrians had adopted the ancient concept of divine kingship from the Sumerians and Akkadians, and it is constantly emphasized in art and inscriptions from that time." Read the full story [How Ancient Assyria Used Religion to Become a Superpower | TheCollectorThe Neo-Assyrian Empire became the largest empire in the known world in the 9th century BCE, through a system of divine kingship and state propaganda.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-icon-12c2fa.png)TheCollectorHeather Reilly![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/how-ancient-assyria-used-religion.jpg)](https://www.thecollector.com/how-ancient-assyria-used-religion/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The Assyrian-Americans inside Trump's MAGA movement URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-assyrian-americans-inside-trumps-maga-movement/ Last updated: 2026-02-09T21:06:45.000Z **The *Make America* *Great Again*** (MAGA) movement, which carried Donald Trump back to the presidency and remains a potent force in American politics, includes a mix of influential figures from various backgrounds. Among them are several well-known Assyrian-Americans who have become recognizable names within MAGA-aligned media and political circles. These include Alina Habba, Mark Savaya, Patrick Bet-David, and George Janko. Alina Habba, the daughter of Assyrian emigrants from Iraq belonging to the Chaldean Catholic Church, rose to national prominence through her close professional association with Donald Trump. She first gained public attention as one of Trump’s personal attorneys, representing him in multiple high-profile legal cases. Following Trump’s return to office, Habba went on to hold senior advisory and legal roles within the federal government, including serving in capacities linked to the Department of Justice. Despite her background, Habba has not publicly identified as Assyrian, instead presenting herself as Arab-American in public statements, a reflection of the broader historical Arabization experienced by many urbanized Assyrians from the Chaldean Church in Iraq. Mark Savaya, also an Assyrian from the Chaldean Church, has been associated with Trump’s political orbit and was designated as the US special envoy to Iraq, though subsequent media reports indicate that this appointment did not ultimately materialize. Savaya has been credited in several accounts with helping mobilize support for Trump in Michigan, a key battleground state, and social media posts suggest he maintained close access to Trump during the campaign period and thereafter. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-22.04.37.png) Patrick Bet-David, an Assyrian-American entrepreneur, media personality, and podcaster, has emerged as one of the most prominent Assyrian figures in conservative political media. He has spoken at major MAGA-aligned events, including Turning Point USA’s annual AmericaFest (AmFest). Trump also appeared on Bet-David’s podcast in the lead-up to the election, where the two briefly discussed the Assyrian people. Bet-David has likewise been seen at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence. George Janko, another Assyrian-American podcaster with a large online following, has also appeared as a speaker at several MAGA-associated events, including Turning Point USA’s Believers’ Summit and AmericaFest. During the election season, Janko hosted Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his podcast. Unlike Habba and Savaya, George Janko and Patrick Bet-David publicly identify as Assyrians. Trump’s own interactions with the Assyrian-American community have been mixed. During his campaign, he was photographed with members of the *Assyrians for Trump* group, and both his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. visited Assyrian communities in Detroit and Arizona as part of election outreach efforts. However, at one campaign event, Trump was asked by *Assyrians for Trump* to give the community a public shout-out. In an awkward moment that quickly went viral, he mispronounced “Assyrians” as “Asur Asians,” later attributing the mistake to a misspelling on the teleprompter. The incident drew international media attention and sparked widespread discussion across Assyrian and global outlets. ### Flag of Assyria to be raised in Chicago's Skokie URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/flag-of-assyria-to-be-raised-in-chicagos-skokie/ Last updated: 2026-02-09T20:45:15.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "After more than two decades of community effort and hope, this long-awaited recognition arrives as a powerful affirmation of the Assyrian presence and contribution to Skokie’s civic life. The moment is especially meaningful because Skokie is home to one of the largest concentrated Assyrian community in the region. Assyrian students make up more than 30 percent of the local school population, and institutions such as the Assyrian Community Center, Mar Sargis Parish of the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Assyrian National Council of Illinois stand as pillars of cultural, spiritual, and social life. These institutions have helped generations maintain their heritage while becoming deeply woven into the fabric of the city." *Read the* [*full story*](https://ninevehnews.com/2026/02/08/assyrian-flag-to-fly-in-skokie-a-moment-of-pride-and-belonging/?ref=assyriapost.com) *in Nineveh News.* ### The assassination of Mar Benyamin XXI Shimun - an open wound URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-worldw-church-of-the-east-commemorates-mar-benyamin-shimun-xixs-assassination/ Last updated: 2026-02-08T21:40:03.000Z **Within the liturgical** calendar of the Assyrian Church of the East, the commemoration of Mar Benyamin XXI Shimun is observed annually on the second Sunday of February. For the Assyrian nation, he is remembered not only as a spiritual leader, but as a national martyr whose assassination symbolised betrayal, dispossession, and the fragmentation of the Assyrian nation in the modern era. Born in 1887 in Qudchanis, the historic patriarchal seat of the Church of the East in Hakkari (today in south-eastern Turkey), Mar Benyamin assumed leadership of the Church at just sixteen years of age. In accordance with the tradition of the Shimun patriarchal dynasty, succession was passed from uncle to nephew. His patriarchate coincided with one of the darkest chapters in Assyrian history. During the Assyrian Genocide (Seyfo), Assyrians faced systematic massacres, forced displacement, and the destruction of their ancestral homeland across Anatolia and Mesopotamia. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Mar-Shimun-red-background.png) ### “My Brother Is One, but My Nation Is Many” In 1915, while convening a meeting with Assyrian tribal leaders, Mar Benyamin received a letter from Haydar Bey, the Ottoman governor of Mosul, informing him that his brother Hormizd Mar Shimun had been detained in Constantinople. The Ottomans demanded Assyrian submission in exchange for his brother’s life. Mar Benyamin’s response has since become a defining expression of Assyrian national consciousness: “Under no circumstances will I submit the tribes to your power, after having witnessed what the Turkish government has done to the Assyrian Christians through oppression and torture. For this reason, I prefer that my brother be killed rather than surrender the entire people.” His brother was subsequently executed by Ottoman authorities. ### Assassination at Kuhnashahir Following the collapse of Assyrian resistance in Hakkari, Mar Benyamin led his people in flight to Urmia. There, a meeting was arranged with the Kurdish tribal leader Ismail Agha Shikak, better known as Simko Shikak, under the pretext of negotiation and truce. On 3 March 1918, in the town of Kuhnashahir in Salmas, Mar Benyamin Shimun XXI was assassinated in cold blood by Simko alongside approximately 150 of his bodyguards. The killing was not merely an act of violence; it marked a decisive blow to Assyrian political and military leadership at a moment of existential vulnerability. Simko met his own fate in 1930 by the Persian government. He was lured into a trap under the pretense of negotiations in the town of Oshnavieh (near Lake Urmia), promising talks and reconciliation. When he arrived with a small entourage, Iranian troops ambushed him and opened fire, killing him on the spot. ### The Glorification of Simko Shikak More than a century later, the memory of Mar Benyamin’s assassination remains deeply intertwined with contemporary political realities. In the Kurdish administered region of Northern Iraq, Simko Shikak is widely glorified as a national hero. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/threema-20260208-220641781.jpg.jpeg) According to the Assyrian Policy Institute, school textbooks distributed to Assyrian schools by the KRG include passages praising Simko Shikak. His name appears on streets, and his image has been displayed in public spaces, including a portrait once exhibited in a restaurant at the DDK Hotel in Nohadra (Dohuk), which was later removed following Assyrian outrage. For Assyrians, the glorification of Simko Shikak represents not merely historical insensitivity, but a deeper refusal to acknowledge crimes committed against their people by Kurds. ### Modern Parallels: Francis Yousif Shabo The assassination of Mar Benyamin finds disturbing parallels in modern Assyrian history. In 1993, Assyrian Democratic Movement member and KRG parliamentarian Francis Yousif Shabo was assassinated after emerging as a unifying Assyrian political figure who challenged land dispossession and demographic change in Assyrian regions by Kurds. Shabo was shot dead on 31 May 1993 by armed assailants. Despite widespread documentation of the crime, no perpetrators were brought to justice. Investigations reported by the Kurdish newspaper *Hawlati* and subsequent allegations have linked the assassination to Wahid Majid Koveli, a high-ranking KDP party figure and known operative within Kurdish security networks. Amnesty International has documented patterns of targeted violence against political opponents in the region. Koveli remained free until his death in 2017, never prosecuted for his alleged role in Shabo’s murder. In a striking echo of the past, a mural commemorating Koveli was later unveiled near Assyrian villages in the Sapna valley, close to Mangesh, near where Francis Shabo was assassinated, provoking deep anger among local Assyrians. ### New book examines Assyrian, Greek and Armenian Genocide recognition in Australia URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/new-book-examines-armenian-greek-and-assyrian-genocide-recognition-in-australia/ Last updated: 2026-02-08T20:29:09.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "While the Armenian Genocide has received significant international recognition, the book highlights how the experiences of Greeks and Assyrians remain comparatively overlooked. Drawing on oral interviews with descendants of survivors and scholarship in memory and genocide studies, Kritikakos explores intergenerational silence, commemorative practices, sites of memory and coalition-building across communities. The study also situates recognition efforts within the Australian context, where early humanitarian responses to the atrocities coexisted with — and at times conflicted with — national narratives centered on the Gallipoli Campaign and reconciliation with Turkey." Read the full story: [New book examines Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Genocide recognition in AustraliaHistorian Themistocles Kritikakos offers the first comprehensive comparative study of Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Genocide recognition efforts in 21 century Australia. Published by Palgrave Macmillan as part of the Palgrave Studies in the History of Genocide series, Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Genocide Recognition in Twenty-First-Century Australia: Memory, Identity, and Cooperation examines how diaspora communities have …![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-AW-logomark-KO-favicon-270x270-1.png)The Armenian WeeklyGuest Contributor![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Book-cover_imresizer.jpg)](https://armenianweekly.com/2026/02/05/new-book-examines-armenian-greek-and-assyrian-genocide-recognition-in-australia/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Writing Assyria Back Into the Future: Johnny Shiba on Identity, Memory, and Survival URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/writing-assyria-back-into-the-future-johnny-shiba-on-identity-memory-and-survival/ Last updated: 2026-02-07T21:48:02.000Z > **“I’ve been told it felt very authentic, like hearing an ancient people speak in a way that’s grounded in their era but still accessible today."** **Johnny Shiba**,a young US-born Assyrian, picked up writing as a hobby while working toward his bachelor’s degree. He has self-published two books so far: *The Two Rivers’ Son, a* historical fantasy, and *Those Who Refuse Their Name: The Assyrian Dilemma*, a discussion centered on identity politics. "I consider myself an Assyrian nationalist in the sense that I’m deeply committed to preserving our culture, language, and history", he explains. "We’ve survived countless wars, natural disasters, genocides, and relentless persecution. All of that endurance can’t be meaningless." A Chicagoan, he graduated with a master’s degree in computer science last May, but his mind is equally occupied with thoughts about "..how to rebuild Assyria and make it a strong Christian nation again." Despite being born in the diaspora, he feels a calling to wear the yoke of a dispossessed nation that refuses to give up: "It feels selfish to turn away from those who came before us and dismiss their struggles just to chase a shallow, self-centered life that’s all about the “here and now” and “me first.” **What drove you to write these books?** – My frustration from not seeing any real change for our people in the diaspora or in Assyria. My father lived in the United States for most of his life and has kept fighting for change, but non has materialized. I had written books prior to these two, but I had never truly delved into Assyrian identity in my writing. I realized that I have an innate identity, one that not even 0.1% of people in the world can claim. I realized I had to tap into that. As Assyrians, only we understand the struggles, the pressure to assimilate, but at the same time, wanting to take pride in our culture. The two books, he says, are intended for everyone to read. *The Two Rivers’ Son,* around eighty thousand words*,* leans into the historical fantasy genre. *Those Who Refuse Their Name: The Assyrian Dilemma* leans more toward identity politics and debate, exploring identity fragmentation and Assyrian history in today’s world. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Shiba-books-2.png) **What response have you received from Assyrian readers?** – Some have told me they feel the book faithfully captures carrying an ancient Assyrian identity into the modern world. I was aiming for a Game of Thrones vibe with a realistic mix of old/middle/modern English dialogue and I’ve been told it feels very authentic, like hearing an ancient people speak in a way that’s grounded in their era but still accessible today. **Name one book written by an Assyrian that you liked.** – I really liked *The Sound System of Modern Assyrian*, a language book written by Edward Y. Odisho. I agree with many of his points, but something that really tugged at me emotionally was a feeling I deeply related to, which was something he wrote in the acknowledgements section, “This book is a gesture of love to my Assyrian people whose language has served the human knowledge for long centuries. Because I hate to see a language, any language, in danger of extinction…” – I also want to give a shoutout to another book, but it wasn’t written by an Assyrian author. My favorite book on Assyria of all time is *The Might That Was Assyria*, by H.W.F. Saggs. It has been my go-to reference. It’s packed with insights on our ancient empire and helped ground the historical elements in my own books. It’s an amazing book of hundreds of facts about the Assyrians, a very insightful history lesson, and a very interesting read in general. While writing is a hobby for Johnny Shiba for now, he explains he wants to become a full-time author, with dreams of writing, producing, and directing his books into feature films and episodic series. "Imagine how many people would learn about our nation, or even just see the word Assyrian on a Netflix show or movie, that would be something" he says. “Sometimes survival begins with being seen, with a name spoken aloud, not buried in footnotes.” ### A story of gore and glory URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/an-assyrian-story-of-gore-and-glory/ Last updated: 2026-02-07T21:11:48.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Aided by his mighty troops, Ashurbanipal subjugated and terrorized neighboring countries, continuing a tradition long started by his ancestor kings including his grandfather Sennacherib and his father Esarhaddon, who handpicked his younger son Ashurbanipal to be his successor. To appease his resentful older son Shamash-shumu-ukin, Esarhaddon placed him on the throne of Babylonia, which at the time was a vassal state to Assyria." Read the full story: [An Assyrian story of gore and gloryRoyalty, weaponry, warfare and reliefs — visitors to the Suzhou Museum learn of one king’s rule, Zhao Xu reports.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-26.ico)chinadailyhk![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/f9bebcc18d476ea6cbeeba409f07e5ca.png)](https://www.chinadailyhk.com/hk/article/596212?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Stability by Exception: Why Kurdish Autonomy Is Funded–and Assyrian Autonomy Is Deferred URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/stability-by-exception-why-kurdish-autonomy-is-funded-and-assyrian-autonomy-is-deferred/ Last updated: 2026-02-06T22:26:44.000Z > **"The question is no longer why Assyrians seek autonomy after a century of dispossession and restraint. The question is why the United States applies one standard of legitimacy to Kurdish self-rule and another to Assyrian self-rule."** ### **How Autonomy Is Actually Granted** Recent initiatives such as Senator Lindsey Graham’s Save the Kurds Act underscore a hard reality of international politics: moral concern is translated into concrete guarantees only when a partner is deemed strategically coherent and institutionally legible. That standard has been applied generously to Kurdish claims—and systematically denied to Assyrian ones. For decades, sympathy has defined how the world engages the Assyrian question. Sympathy, however, has never produced protection, power, or permanence. It has produced statements while Assyrian land, population, and authority steadily eroded. Since the First World War, Assyrians aligned themselves with Western powers, fought alongside British forces, and were drawn into the security architecture of the modern Middle East. They paid a severe price for this alignment—enduring genocide, displacement, and repeated abandonment—without converting betrayal into hostility toward their allies. ### **A Survival Claim Left Unresolved** Assyrian demands for autonomy are not recent or opportunistic. From the collapse of the Ottoman order onward, Assyrian political appeals—whether in post–World War I petitions, League-era advocacy, or post-2003 Iraqi debates—consistently centered on self-administration, land security, and protection from domination by stronger regional actors. Autonomy was never framed as a maximalist ambition. It was articulated as a survival strategy shaped by experience. Its persistence across generations underscores a simple fact: Assyrian autonomy is not theoretical. It is unresolved. Despite persecution, dispossession, and repeated abandonment, Assyrians did not respond by forming insurgent movements or rebelling against the states in which they lived. Instead, they chose restraint—continuing to serve as soldiers, civil servants, professionals, and stabilizing communities. For better or worse, this decision avoided open rebellion, but it also left Assyrians without leverage in systems that reward force over endurance. ### **The Minority Trap** Yet justice has never been the constraint. The constraint has been structural. International systems do not reward moral legitimacy alone; they respond to governance capacity, territorial clarity, and institutional form. Peoples presented as coherent political units are engaged as partners. Peoples framed as minorities are managed as humanitarian concerns. Assyrians have been confined to the latter category not because they lack political continuity or consciousness, but because their claims have been denied institutional expression. ### **The Kurdish “Stability” Narrative** This bias is most clearly exposed by the claim that Kurdish autonomy is uniquely “stabilizing.” Kurdish political history across the region tells a more complex story. In the 1990s, the KDP and the PUK fought a brutal civil war in northern Iraq that fractured Kurdish society and cost thousands of lives. At the height of that conflict, the KDP invited Saddam Hussein’s forces into Erbil in 1996 to defeat its Kurdish rivals, while the PUK relied on Iranian backing—demonstrating how factional survival could override national aspirations. In Syria, Kurdish forces led by the YPG have alternated between confrontation with Damascus and tactical accommodation, reflecting unresolved divisions over allegiance and end goals. In Turkey, the decades-long conflict between the state and the PKK has destabilized entire regions and fractured Kurdish political life. These episodes do not reflect a uniquely coherent or restraint-driven political tradition. They reflect recurring patterns of factionalism, ideological rivalry, and survival-driven alignment—conditions that did not prevent Western powers from backing Kurdish self-rule. ### **Patronage and Power** Crucially, Kurdish political power did not emerge organically. It was actively constructed through sustained external sponsorship. In Iraq, the U.S.-led intervention of 1991—through the no-fly-zone and Operation Provide Comfort—created the security conditions that allowed Kurdish authorities to consolidate territorial control and develop governing institutions. In Syria, U.S. military protection, training, arms, intelligence, and diplomatic cover enabled Kurdish-led forces to entrench de facto autonomy during the campaign against ISIS. Kurdish autonomy did not precede American backing; it was enabled by it. To credit Kurdish political success to inherent stability while ignoring this sustained sponsorship is to mistake patronage for inevitability. **Assyrian autonomy, by contrast, is portrayed as destabilizing—despite Assyrians being indigenous to their homeland and possessing a continuous historical presence predating every modern state in the region. One people’s internal discord is excused as political complexity; another people’s restraint is treated as political insufficiency.** This exposes a second fallacy: that Kurdish claims possess greater political substance because of numbers. Political substance in alliances is not a demographic metric. It is a function of organization, alignment, and external backing. A superpower can elevate a small population into a decisive ally. If sheer numbers determined political value, the United States would scarcely have regarded Israel—a small state in a hostile region—as strategically indispensable. Assyrians have already demonstrated this capacity for alignment. Following the 2003 U.S. intervention in Iraq, Assyrian communities supported coalition efforts locally and formed protection forces to defend their towns amid the collapse of state security and the rise of sectarian violence. This was operational participation, not symbolic alignment. ### **Article 125 and the Question of Land** It is here that Article 125 of the Iraqi Constitution must be confronted honestly. On paper, it recognizes the administrative, cultural, and political rights of Assyrians. In practice, its ambiguity, lack of implementing legislation, and absence of enforcement mechanisms have rendered it inert. Rather than enabling self-administration, Article 125 has functioned as a procedural shield—invoked to deflect substantive demands while offering no legal pathway to realize them. This failure is not accidental. It reflects a deeper contradiction embedded in the autonomy debate itself: rights articulated without territorial substance cannot be realized. Article 125 gestures toward self-administration while deliberately avoiding the material foundations—land, jurisdiction, and authority—required for self-rule. Any serious implementation must therefore move beyond symbolism. Meaningful realization of Article 125 would require genuine Assyrian self-administration, territorial authority, land governance, security arrangements, and accountable Assyrian political representation. Autonomy without land is administrative fiction. ### **Autonomy Without Land Is Not Autonomy** Any credible discussion of Assyrian autonomy that avoids the question of land is, at best, incomplete—and at worst, complicit in legitimizing dispossession. Autonomy cannot exist in the abstract. It must be territorial, contiguous, and rooted in the restoration of lands confiscated through decades of political coercion, demographic engineering, and administrative absorption in northern Iraq. The return of Assyrian lands seized or controlled by Kurdish parties and authorities is not a maximalist demand; it is a prerequisite for meaningful self-rule. An autonomous Assyrian region that excludes historically Assyrian towns, villages, and agricultural lands merely institutionalizes loss under the language of reform. If autonomy is to be more than symbolic—if it is to provide security, governance, and permanence—then confiscated Assyrian lands must be returned and incorporated into the Assyrian autonomous unit. Anything less does not correct injustice; it ratifies it. ### **The Double Standard** The burden of justification must be reversed. The question is no longer why Assyrians seek autonomy after a century of dispossession and restraint. The question is why the United States applies one standard of legitimacy to Kurdish self-rule and another to Assyrian self-rule. Moral legitimacy remains necessary—but it has never been sufficient. What Assyrians seek is not sympathy, but political recognition. Autonomy remains the only framework capable of delivering it. ### 1,300-Year-Old World Chronicle Discovered in the Sinai URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/1-300-year-old-world-chronicle-discovered-in-the-sinai/ Last updated: 2026-02-06T22:19:24.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "The chronicle, originally composed in Assyrian and later translated into Arabic, survives only in a single thirteenth-century manuscript, whose pages are damaged and in part stuck together. Thanks to high-resolution digitized images provided by the Early Manuscripts Electronic Library and freely accessible through the Sinai Manuscripts Digital Library, scholars were able to study the work in detail for the first time. “Since my identification and initial analysis of the text, it has become increasingly clear that this is a previously unknown Christian universal chronicle,” Pirtea explains." Read the full story: [1,300-Year-Old World Chronicle Discovered in the SinaiA newly discovered Christian world chronicle from the early eighth century offers fresh insights into the political and religious upheavals from Late Antiquity to the rise of Islam. Researchers at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) have discovered and analyzed the work—originally written in Syriac and later translated into Arabic— in a manuscript held at St. Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-25.ico)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/sinai_slider_c_Sinai_Manuscripts_Digital_Library.webp)](https://www.oeaw.ac.at/en/news/1300-jahre-alte-weltchronik-im-sinai-entdeckt-1?ref=assyriapost.com) ### "For we will know that salvation lies in our own hands" URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/for-we-will-know-that-salvation-lies-in-our-own-hands/ Last updated: 2026-02-05T22:42:47.000Z The following is a short article written in June 1917 by the Assyrian publisher, thinker, and national figure Naum Faik Palak. It was published in the newspaper **Beth Nahrin*, which Palak issued in New Jersey, USA, between 1916 and 1930\. The article has been made accessible by the Assyrian translator and manuscript expert Aydin Bet-Naqshe (Aslan). **The Assyria Post* is publishing an English translation to honor Naum Faik Palak’s memory on his day of remembrance. ## "For we will know that salvation lies in our own hands" *By Naum Faik, Beth-Nahrin Newspaper, June 1917* **As the Assyrian** people, we have long been thinking about why we are unable to make progress, and why we have fallen behind in useful endeavors. We feel deep sorrow in the face of the poverty and helplessness we live in. We often ask ourselves these questions: What will become of us? How long will we remain distant from knowledge, education, and development? Who will help us? It is not easy to find answers to these questions. Yet, when we look at America, which today stands as an example to many nations, we see that it shows us the path to success. This gives us hope. America teaches us how to rise through work, effort, and determination. It shows us how we must care for our people, and how we can serve our nation and homeland in unity. It reminds us that we must be skilled and responsible in our actions and in our work. Only in this way can our people be enlightened by the light of virtue. For this reason, we must first turn toward knowledge and learning. We must listen to the writings left to us by our teachers, elders, and ancestors, and recognize our roots. As the great Prophet Isaiah said: “We must know from which mountain we were hewn.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Palak.png) Naum Faik Palak and a scan from the front page of Bet Nahrin Magazine. When the desire for progress is born within us, we will no longer wait for help from others. For we will know that salvation lies in our own hands. No nation lacking in virtue can ever achieve true success. Some people believe that if help comes from outside, we can survive. But this is not true. If a household cannot establish its own order, no one from outside can provide lasting help. Therefore, the more we work, the more successful we will be. The more effort we give, the more peacefully we shall live. If we trust in ourselves, we can overcome every difficulty that stands before us. **Naum Faik Palak** [How a simple word caused division among Assyrians a century agoMore than a century ago, Naum Faik Palak warned his people against division born of misunderstanding and a sectarian mindset.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-73.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Naum-Faik-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/how-a-simple-word-caused-division-among-assyrians-a-century-ago/) ### Expansion of Assyrian church approved by local Chicago council URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/expansion-of-assyrian-church-approved-by-local-chicago-council/ Last updated: 2026-02-05T21:01:58.000Z **The planning board** and village trustees granted both a special use permit for religious assembly and site plan approval for the project, which will relocate the congregation’s worship services from a gymnasium into a proper 6,658-square-foot church area, with seating for around 300 parishioners. The new site was a former Jewish center, the Chicago Tribune reports. The approved plans include a 1,536-square-foot addition to the existing building, a new entrance and façade, interior remodeling, and improved landscaping. The design also includes a mezzanine, sacristy, offices, and accessibility features such as an elevator. [Chicago county honors Assyrian heritage, highlights leading community membersChicago’s Cook County has recognized Assyrian National Heritage by honoring more than two dozen Assyrian civic, business, and community leaders in Cook County, highlighting the growing visibility and contributions of the Assyrian community in the United States.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-72.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Cook-county-1.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/chicago-county-honors-assyrian-heritage-highlights-leading-community-members/) To support parking needs for larger services, the church will implement a shuttle service to additional spaces at the Assyrian National Council of Illinois. The approvals mark a significant development for the Assyrian community in the Chicago area, giving Mar Sargis Parish a permanent home after years of worshipping in a gymnasium space. Chicago and its northern suburb Skokie hold a special place in the modern Assyrian story. For decades, they have been a center of Assyrian migration, community building, and political and cultural life in the United States. [Assyrian language program in Chicago expands to fourth yearLaunched in 2023, Chicago’s Assyrian language program has grown into a four year high school offering, as advocates now work to replicate the model in California.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-71.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/D19-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-language-program-in-chicago-expands-to-fourth-year/) ### Former Detroit Assyrian ‘Godfather’ Lou Akrawi Deported to Baghdad URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/former-detroit-assyrian-godfather-lou-akrawi-deported-to-baghdad/ Last updated: 2026-02-04T21:48:32.000Z **Akrawi, who fled** Iraq as a political dissident in the late 1960s after opposing Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime, spent decades battling efforts by U.S. immigration officials to force him back to his homeland. The 78-year-oldhas been sent back to Baghdad despite longstanding concerns for his safety. The deportation comes despite his advanced age and serious health issues, including Parkinson’s disease, and warnings that returning to Iraq, where he has not lived in nearly six decades, could be life-threatening. Akrawi’s roots trace to Baghdad’s once-vibrant Assyrian community. After moving to the United States, he became a prominent figure in southeastern Michigan’s Assyrian neighborhood, of which many adhere to the Chaldean Catholic Church, known locally for decades as a community leader and controversially as a powerful figure in organized crime. In Detroit, Akrawi’s organization reportedly controlled various illegal enterprises and earned him a reputation as the city’s “Teflon Don,” surviving multiple criminal trials and operating a network that spanned gambling, extortion, and drugs. Despite his criminal past, Akrawi had not been in legal trouble in the U.S. since the early 1990s, and he spent the past decade living quietly with his family in the Detroit suburbs. His deportation highlights broader issues affecting Iraq-origin communities in America, including Assyrians who left the country amid conflict and dictatorship and built lives abroad. Akrawi’s case, in particular, raises questions about how U.S. immigration policy treats elderly and vulnerable individuals with deep ties to American society. His family name, Akrawi, denotes his family origins from the town of *Aqra* in northern Iraq's Assyria Region. ### Tur Abdin’s History is as Rich as it's Landscape URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/tur-abdins-history-is-as-rich-as-its-landscape/ Last updated: 2026-02-04T19:33:49.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "According to an ancient Assyrian administrative text (SAA 12, 050), Rēmanni-Adad, the royal chariot driver of the Neo-Assyrian King Āshūrbānīpal (c. 685–631 BCE), and his household was a notable landowner at Īzallā operating multiple farmlands and vineyards. It was quite common for members of the Assyrian royal court as well as military to own property in this region. According to another Neo-Assyrian text (SAA 14, 042), a temple was constructed in the vicinity of Mardīn (ancient: Mardiānē). Such evidence may demonstrate that Assyrian settlers exerted significant cultural influence among the diverse population groups in the region. In addition to the introduction of indigenous cults, one may also find references to the inhabitants of Kashiāri adopting traditional Assyrian names. According to a Neo-Assyrian judicial text (BM 1883,0118.231), the ruler of *“the city of Arkuḥi (modern-day Arkaḥ) in Kashiāri”* reported *“after my son has been born, I shall name him Āshūrbānīpal”*. It should be noted that, mount Īzallā was also renowned among the ancient Assyrians as a provider of wine. Excavations in this region as well as the area of Āmīd (modern-day Diyarbakır, Türkiye) have also unearthed the presence of ancient Assyrian trade colonies." Read the full story: [Tur Abdin’s History is as Rich as it’s Landscape — Assyrian Cultural & Social Youth Association Inc.The region of Ṭūr ʿAbdīn, along with its Ṭūrā d-Īzlā “mountain of Īzlā” in the northern reaches of Mesopotamia, is situated in modern-day south-east Türkiye. During the Neo-Assyrian Empire, this region pertained to Kashiāri and mount Īzallā, respectively.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/default-favicon.ico)Assyrian Cultural & Social Youth Association Inc.ACSYA Inc.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_10072023_1.jpg)](https://www.acsya.org/post/b1yo49dvcfwpis0k7460yc67yfz4ga?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Swedish-Assyrian football prodigy Adrian Lahdo completes Serie A move to Como URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/swedish-assyrian-football-prodigy-adrian-lahdo-completes-serie-a-move-to-como/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T22:28:44.000Z **At just 18 years**, Lahdo leaves Swedish side Hammarby for Italy’s top division after Como finalised the deal before the transfer deadline. The transfer is reportedly valued at around €12 million, making him one of Hammarby’s most notable recent sales and underlining the growing international interest in his talent. Born in December 2007, Lahdo developed through the Hammarby youth system and has already represented Sweden at youth international level. He plays as a central midfielder and is widely regarded as one of Sweden’s most promising young prospects. [Two Assyrian players behind Swedish club’s qualification to the UEFA Conference LeagueTwo Assyrians played key roles when the Swedish team Hammarby qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-70.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Besara-1-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/two-assyrian-players-behind-swedish-clubs-qualification-to-the-uefa-conference-league/) For Como, the signing represents a strategic investment in youth as the club continues its ambitious rise in Serie A under the guidance of head coach Cesc Fàbregas, the former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder. ### **A Historic Moment for Assyrian sports** Lahdo’s move to Serie A represents a milestone for Assyrian representation in elite European football. Players of Assyrian heritage have historically been underrepresented at the highest levels of the game, making his breakthrough particularly significant. He follows in the footsteps of notable Assyrian players such as Kennedy Bakircioglu, who also emerged from Hammarby before forging a career across Europe. Lahdo’s journey from youth football in Sweden to one of Europe’s top leagues symbolises not only personal achievement but also the broader rise of Assyrian talent on the global stage. ### **The Lahdo Brothers on Diverging European Paths** The Lahdo family’s remarkable week in football did not end with Adrian’s move to Italy. His older brother, Mayckel Lahdo, has also taken an important step in his career by signing for Danish giants Brøndby IF. Mayckel, who previously played in France’s Ligue 1 on loan with FC Nantes from AZ Alkmaar, has joined Brøndby on a loan deal that includes an option to buy, offering him a fresh opportunity to develop and reassert his career. While Adrian heads to Serie A as one of Europe’s most exciting young midfield prospects, Mayckel’s move to Denmark represents a chance to rediscover form and consistency in a highly competitive league. Together, the brothers’ transfers tell a rare and inspiring story: two Assyrian footballers simultaneously advancing their careers across Europe’s football landscape. ### Iraqahyes and Assyrians: The Fertile Crescent’s greatest kinship URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/iraqahyes-and-assyrians-the-fertile-crescents-greatest-kinship/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T22:10:19.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "My Assyrian grandmother spoke both Assyrian and Armenian, conversing freely with *Iraqahye* friends she’d invite over for *chai*. Likewise, my Armenian grandmother befriended countless Assyrian Christians, including Chaldeans, who lived nearby. Similarities don’t merely exist among Armenians and Assyrians in Iraq; these two ancient groups share a unique harmony born of affliction. From the interactions I’ve seen between my two ethnic identities" *Read the full story:* [Iraqahyes and Assyrians: The Fertile Crescent’s greatest kinshipNever once did I piece together the convergence of lahmajun and kleicha in my life. I’ve always understood myself to be an Iraqi-American, the proud daughter of two Iraqi immigrants. I grew up with delicacies I labeled “Iraqi,” without understanding the nuances behind this characterization. Lahmajun, an Armenian dish I’ve loved since childhood, draws from …![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-AW-logomark-KO-favicon-270x270.png)The Armenian WeeklySarah Behjet![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/EDITED-15.jpg)](https://armenianweekly.com/2025/11/25/iraqahyes-and-assyrians-the-fertile-crescents-greatest-kinship/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Why Türkiye should back an Assyrian region in northern Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/why-turkiye-should-back-an-assyrian-region-in-northern-iraq/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T14:44:46.000Z **For today’s Turkish** leadership, there is an unspoken realization: the policies that once wiped out Assyrians in southeastern Türkiye did not resolve Ankara’s “eastern problem.” They helped create it. The engineered extermination and expulsion of Assyrians from large swathes of south eastern Türkiye did not produce stability. It created a vacuum, one that was eventually filled by a far more formidable force: a modern Kurdish national movement with territorial ambition, and increasingly, military capacity as well as international backing. Many areas that were once majority Assyrian, or had a strong Assyrian presence, are today entirely Kurdish. This didn’t happen by accident, and it didn’t happen overnight. Take the entire Hakkari region as an example. Once overwhelmingly Assyrian, it is today fully Kurdish, and an active recruitment hub for the PKK. **Turks and Assyrians have both suffered from Kurdish terrorism for decades and Kurdish expansionism constitutes a serious threat to the very existence of Assyrians and to the territorial unity of Türkiye. Therefore, Turks and Assyrians share a natural interest to counter and contain this threat.** For Türkiye, the threat is obvious. Kurdish advances ultimately challenge Turkish sovereignty over more than a third of the country’s territory. The Syrian war demonstrated just how quickly Kurdish movements can exploit chaos to carve out facts on the ground, and that threat is not receding. It is growing. Ankara is seriously in need of a long term and permanent solution to the threat of Kurdish separatism. For Assyrians, the threat is even more existential. Kurdish nationalism, as practiced on the ground, has endangered Assyrian survival in a way that neither Turkish nor Arab nationalism ever fully did. Ethnic Turks did not move en masse into Assyrian villages and towns to replace the population. Arab expansion into Assyrian areas largely subsided generations ago. Kurdish expansion, however, continues, relentlessly and unapologetically. The experience of Assyrians under the KRG since 1991 makes this clear. Land seizures of Assyrian lands multiply while Kurdish leaders speak the language of “brotherhood” and “peaceful coexistence.” Assyrians and Turks are not fighting, and have never fought, over the same lands in the way Assyrians and Kurds have for centuries. This matters. It explains why Kurdish–Assyrian tensions persist regardless of regime, borders, or international arrangements. This is a land conflict. The Kurds, a conglomerate of nomadic tribes and clans who migrated into the Assyrian heartland from the east, have sought to push out Assyrians, the indigenous population and claim our lands. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/02/Assyrian-villages-1961-1.png) The blue, red, green dots and cross symbols represent Assyrian towns and villages as well as Assyrian monasteries in 1961\. ### The solution: An Assyrian buffer region That brings us to a proposal of an Assyrian autonomous region in northern Iraq, ideally stretching along the entirety of the Iraqi–Turkish border. **Such a region would do something no military operation or diplomatic maneuver has managed to achieve, it would permanently dent Kurdish expansionism. It would act as a buffer between Kurds in Iraq and those in southeastern Türkiye as well as severe the land bridge between the remaining Kurdish region in Iraq and Kurds in northeast Syria, disrupting the territorial continuity that Kurdish nationalist movements openly seek.** For Ankara, supporting Assyrian autonomy in northern Iraq would serve two purposes. First, it would be a long-overdue step toward addressing a historic injustice committed against the Assyrian people. Second, and more importantly in realpolitik terms, it would neutralize Kurdish expansionist ambitions in a way force alone never has. Syria should serve as the final warning. The PKK, under the YPG brand, did not wait for international approval; it moved quickly, opportunistically, and without hesitation once the opportunity presented itself. An Assyrian buffer region should therefore be in Türkiye’s long-term strategic interest. **Key ingredients needed to make such a region a reality are already in place or realistically attainable with Turkish backing. Assyrians already have strong demographic presence in the Nineveh Plain area and an Assyrian military force, the Nineveh Plain Protection Units, are increasingly tasked with security in the towns and villages there. Assyrian villages and towns dot the entire Dohuk province.** Assyrians were in fact in majority in the Dohuk province up until the 1960's but have since been demographically weakened due to the wars, turmoils and Kurdish demographic engineering. Once Assyrians gain real authority over land, security, and administration, return will not be theoretical. Assyrians from across Iraq, the wider Middle East, and the diaspora will come back. Not out of nostalgia, but because opportunity, safety, and dignity attract people far more effectively than slogans ever could. Such a region, populated by Assyrians together with Turkmens, Yazidies and other groups would become a beacon of stability on Türkiye's border with Iraq. ### Why Türkiye is a key factor Türkiye is uniquely positioned to help the Assyria Region in Iraq become a reality. Ankara can secure political backing for the project inside Iraq as well as with the US and other important actors. Ankara also has considerable leverage over the Barzani-led part of the KRG as both oil exports and border crossings are crucial for Barzani's survival. Crucially, Türkiye has significant military presence inside northern Iraq. With Turkish political and military backing, an Assyrian force could eventually roll back Kurdish control of the Assyria region of Iraq. Such a region would considerably diminish the threat of Kurdish separatism both in Türkiye, Iraq and Syria. **Assyrians already play a small but important balancing role in south-east Türkiye (Turabdin region), and northeast Syria. With Turkish backing, they could soon play an important role for Turkish security permanently and irrevocably.** Sometimes strategy and justice briefly align. Ankara should not miss that moment again. ### Archbishop’s Hostile Remarks Raise Concerns Over Historical Understanding of Assyrian Civilization URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/archbishops-hostile-remarks-raise-concerns-over-historical-understanding-of-assyrian-civilization/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T22:07:51.000Z "Historically, the fast originated during a devastating plague that afflicted Mesopotamia and Assyria in the Sixth Century AD. The metropolitans of the East Syriac ecclesiastical provinces of Assyria or Adiabene (encompassing Arbil, Nineveh, and Hakkari) and Beth Garmaï (encompassing Kirkuk and the surrounding region) called for services of prayer, fasting, and penitence in all churches under their jurisdiction, following the example of the Ninevites. This tradition has been strictly observed for centuries. Patriarchs of both the Church of the East and Chaldean Catholic Church have also called for additional fasts to alleviate suffering in times of crisis, including during the persecution by ISIS in Nineveh and the broader Middle East." *Read the full story:* [Archbishop’s Hostile Remarks Raise Concerns Over Historical Understanding of Assyrian Civilization - Nineveh NewsJanuary 27, 2026 Erbil, Iraq – During the observance of the Rogation of the Ninevites, Archbishop Yousif Thomas Mirkis made remarks regarding Assyrian civili…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-Nineveh-News-1-270x270-2.png)Nineveh Newsadmin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/image-35.png)](https://ninevehnews.com/2026/01/28/archbishops-hostile-remarks-raise-concerns-over-historical-understanding-of-assyrian-civilization/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Assyrian party welcomes Syria–Kurdish agreement, calls for inclusive governance in Hasakah URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-party-welcomes-syria-kurdish-agreement-calls-for-inclusive-governance-in-hasakah/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T09:44:24.000Z **In a statement** issued from Gozarto on 1 February, the organization said it received the news of the agreement “with relief and appreciation,” noting that it provides for a ceasefire and the return of state security and civil institutions to cities and towns across Hasakah Governorate. The agreement, according to the statement, paves the way for “the return of state institutions and the extension of state sovereignty over the governorate,” a development the organization considers beneficial for all components of the region. While welcoming the return of state authority, the Assyrian Democratic Organization stressed the importance of safeguarding Hasakah’s long-standing social fabric. The province is home to Assyrians, Arabs, Kurds and Yazidis who, the statement noted, have lived together “for decades without notable incidents based on ethnic, religious, or sectarian grounds.” The organization underlined that preserving this diversity must remain a core priority as new arrangements are implemented on the ground. The ADO expressed support for “any step that enhances stability and security” but urged all parties to the agreement to adhere fully to its terms and carry out their commitments responsibly. The statement called for prioritizing “the supreme national interest and the interests of the people of the region above all other considerations.” According to the organization, the return of state institutions represents “a genuine interest for all components of the region,” particularly after years in which residents bore heavy economic and social burdens due to the absence of functioning state services. Crucially, the Assyrian Democratic Organization emphasized the need for inclusive governance, calling for the participation of all communities and their political and social representatives in managing local affairs. It warned against “monopoly or exclusion by any political or military party claiming to represent the region’s diverse communities,” and stressed governance based on competence and genuine partnership. ### Rethinking Identity in the Ancient Near East URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/rethinking-identity-in-the-ancient-near-east/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T06:33:17.000Z Speaking from an excavation site in Jordan, Bonatz challenged long-held assumptions about ancient ethnicities and shed light on how modern archaeology reconstructs the past. Prof. Bonatz began by highlighting how much archaeology has changed since the 19th century. Once characterized by colonial interests and the search for museum-worthy treasures, modern archaeology is now a highly interdisciplinary and scientific endeavor: "Today, we work with biologists, geologists, and anthropologists," Bonatz explained and said digitalization has transformed the field, allowing for 3D reconstructions of ancient structures. However, he warned of the "digital fiction" risk, where reconstructions might look impressive but can sometimes overstep what is scientifically proven. ### The "Aramean" Label: An External Construct? One of the most provocative points discussed in the interview was the nature of Aramean identity between the 13th and 7th centuries BC. According to Prof. Bonatz, the term "Aramean" was largely an external construct used by the Assyrians and biblical sources to categorize various nomadic tribes: "The ruling classes in the so-called Aramean kingdoms did not necessarily refer to themselves as 'Arameans' in an ethnic sense," Bonatz noted. Instead, they identified with their specific cities or dynasties. A collective "Aramean" ethnic identity was not a sudden occurrence but a slow process of cultural formation that took centuries to solidify, likely reaching its peak as late as the 5th century BC, he explained. In contrast to the decentralized nature of early nomadic tribes, the Assyrians possessed a strong, centralized state identity very early on. Centered around the city of Ashur and the god of the same name, the Assyrian identity was a powerful unifying force. As the empire expanded, it implemented its culture and administrative structures across the region, making the "Assyrian" identity highly visible in the archaeological record—from specific pottery styles (the "Coca-Cola bottle" of the ancient world) to monumental art. The interview also touched upon the controversial and much-debated link between the terms "Assyrian" and "Syrian." Prof. Bonatz expressed his support for the research of Prof. Robert Rollinger, particularly regarding the Cineköy Inscription from the 8th century BC. This bilingual inscription provides evidence that "Syrian" (Suroye/Suraye) is indeed a shortened form of "Assyrian." The linguistic evolution shows a continuity of identity that persists within the Assyrian-speaking communities to this day. ### Tur Abdin: A Region of Refuge and Faith The Tur Abdin region (modern-day Southeast Turkey) was described by the professor as a historical "problem zone" for the Assyrian Empire, a rugged mountain refuge where tribes could escape central control. Over time, this geography made it the perfect location for the early Christian monasteries of the Syriac Orthodox Church, such as Mor Gabriel. Bonatz emphasized that while these monasteries are living symbols of faith, archaeological investigations into their foundations could reveal even deeper layers of history. Closing the discussion, Prof. Bonatz offered advice to Assyrians, urging them to value archaeological artifacts not just as "stones," but as vital links to their heritage: "Don't just look at the ancient past of three millennia ago," he advised. "Look at the medieval and recent history as well. Cultural heritage is lived through language, dance, and traditions." For students interested in archaeology, his message was clear: "The field requires passion and commitment, but it offers a unique way to understand the intercultural connections that shaped our world." ### The oldest star map found under 6 layers of ink URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-oldest-star-map-found-under-6-layers-of-ink/ Last updated: 2026-02-01T21:17:47.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Until recently, all that remained of Hipparchus’ work were secondhand mentions and a few symbols carved into statues, like those on the **Farnese Atlas**, a Roman sculpture that shows the sky etched onto a celestial globe. But actual star positions from his catalog had vanished. That changed when researchers spotted traces of ancient **Greek writing** on a palimpsest, a parchment manuscript that had been wiped clean and reused. Led by Victor Gysembergh from *Sorbonne University*, the team dug deeper." *Read the full story:* [The Father of Astronomy Left Us a Star Map, We Just Found It Under 6 Layers of InkA lost star catalog from the dawn of astronomy was just found, and it’s far more accurate than anyone expected.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-favicon-270x270.jpg)The Daily Galaxy - Great Discoveries ChannelSarah Jones![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/The-Father-of-Astronomy-Left-Us-a-Star-Map-We-Just-Found-It-Under-6-Layers-of-Ink-scaled.jpg)](https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/02/lost-star-map-found-under-ink/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Mark Savaya no longer special envoy to Iraq, reports say URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/mark-s/ Last updated: 2026-02-01T09:19:24.000Z **In a development** that raises questions about U.S.–Iraq diplomacy at a critical moment, sources familiar with the matter say that Mark Savaya is no longer serving as the United States Special Envoy to Iraq — a position he was appointed to just a few months ago. Savaya, an Assyrian-American entrepreneur from Detroit, was named to the role by U.S. President Donald Trump in October 2025\. However, according to multiple sources, he “is no longer in that role”, according to a wire by Reuters published today. The move comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Baghdad over Iranian influence in Iraqi politics, particularly following disputes over the nomination of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Reuters writes. ### **What the Sources Are Saying** According to Reuters, one source cited Savaya’s “mishandling” of key situations, including his failure to prevent the nomination of Mr. Maliki as prime minister, a choice that the Trump administration had publicly opposed: “One of the sources pointed to Savaya’s ‘mishandling’ of key situations, including his failure to prevent the nomination of former Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki…” The report notes that Savaya never officially joined the U.S. State Department or assumed diplomatic duties in Iraq, and had not yet traveled to Baghdad in his official capacity. Savaya denied that he had been removed from the post, telling Reuters he was still completing administrative steps for the position. But a separate source familiar with the issue said that he “never became an employee of the State Department.” With Savaya’s exit, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, is now believed to be assuming responsibility for U.S. diplomatic engagement on Iraq, highlighting a shift at a sensitive time. Both the White House and the State Department declined to comment on the personnel change, according to Reuters. ### Bishop’s controversial remarks on Assyrian empire sparks debate URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/bishops-controversial-remarks-on-assyrian-empire-sparks-debate/ Last updated: 2026-01-31T22:42:04.000Z **Recent remarks attributed** to a senior Assyrian bishop of the Chaldean Catholic Church regarding the Assyrian Empire have sparked widespread criticism and debate among Assyrians worldwide. The Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah, Mar Yousif Mirkis, reportedly described the Assyrian Empire as the “most disgusting empire” and cast doubt on the coherence of the biblical narrative of the Prophet Jonah in the Old Testament during a [sermon](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1436848447683213). These remarks, which were later [echoed](https://www.facebook.com/reel/1306846244806281) by Patriarch Louis Raphaël I Sako, prompted strong reactions from scholars, clergy, and members of the Assyrian public. In response, Assyrian scholar Dr Efrem Yildiz, Professor of Hebrew and Aramaic Studies at the University of Salamanca in Spain, issued a detailed [open letter](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14XyA3asFW5/) challenging the statements and questioning the role of church leadership in shaping national identity. Dr Yildiz, himself a member of the Chaldean church and originally from the village of Herbole in the Assyrian region of Bohtan in southeastern Turkey, expressed deep concern over what he described as rhetoric that undermines the historical and national identity of the Assyrian people. He argued that such discourse reflects not only historical misinterpretation but also longstanding internal ecclesiastical tensions that have weakened Assyrian unity. According to Yildiz, the primary responsibility of church leaders should be to foster spiritual guidance, unity, and mutual respect rather than division. In his response, Yildiz emphasised that Assyrian identity cannot be erased through political or ecclesiastical agendas. He highlighted the significant contributions of Assyrians to human civilisation alongside other ancient peoples, including Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans. He rejected attempts to portray Assyrians as uniquely violent or negative, noting that conquest and empire-building were characteristic of most ancient civilisations. This perspective was echoed by non-Assyrians such as Iraqi antiquities expert, Amir Abdul Razak, who expressed outrage at the bishop’s remarks in a social media [post](https://www.facebook.com/reel/1204285408091140), stating that even in times of war, the Assyrians were a people of art, culture, and literature, who built advanced irrigation systems, dams, and infrastructure, laying foundations of civilisation that extended far beyond warfare. Yildiz also criticised the use of religious platforms to promote divisive narratives, arguing that Christian leadership should reflect the teachings of Christ; love, unity, and reconciliation, rather than diminishing the rich history of the Assyrian people. He further questioned why biblical references affirming the Assyrians were overlooked while rhetoric diminishing their contributions was amplified. The controversy also drew responses from clergy of the Assyrian Church of the East. The Bishop of Melbourne and New Zealand, Mar Benyamin Elya, criticised the remarks, writing on social media: “My brotherly advice is to do what is pleasing to God and not to distort His Word to fit a political agenda or to please earthly superiors. Do not deny your own Assyrian DNA.” ### Division and self-hating Assyrians The debate has prompted broader questions within Assyrian communities regarding the motivations behind such statements and the wider consequences of internal division. Many observers note that the division of the Assyrian people has never occurred in a political vacuum. They argue that when Assyrians are divided over their name, history, and identity, their collective strength is diminished and their claims to their ancestral homeland are weakened. In a region shaped by competing national projects, it is difficult to ignore the reality that Assyrian fragmentation ultimately advantages those who seek to consolidate control over Assyrian lands and marginalise Assyrian political aspirations. While some clerics in the Syriac Orthodox Church and Chaldean Catholic Church have a history of being self-hating Assyrians, there are many examples of leading church leaders who expressed pride in their Assyrian identity. The late Mar Raphael Bidawid, Patriarch of the Chaldean Church from 1989 to 2003 is such an example. In a 2003 [interview](https://web.archive.org/web/20110717071922/http://www.jaas.org/edocs/v18n2/Parpola-identity%5FArticle%20-Final.pdf), Patriarch Bidawid stated: “The name ‘Chaldean’ does not represent an ethnicity… We must separate ethnicity from religion… I am Chaldean in sect, but ethnically, I am Assyrian.” In a separate interview with the [*Assyrian Star*](https://search.worldcat.org/title/assyrian-star/oclc/3974808?ref=assyriapost.com), he further affirmed: “Before I became a priest I was an Assyrian, before I became a bishop I was an Assyrian, I am an Assyrian today, tomorrow, forever, and I am proud of it.” ### Assyrian journalist: YPG killed more Assyrians than ISIS URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-journalist-ypg-killed-more-assyrians-than-isis/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T23:11:34.000Z The Assyrian journalist Shamoun Zitou has claimed that more Assyrians have been killed by the Kurdish militia than by ISIS in northeastern Syria since the outbreak of the civil war. "The harm inflicted on our people by the SDF, as we have seen, has been worse than the harm inflicted by ISIS. Because the number of Assyrians killed by the Kurds is bigger than the number killed by ISIS", he said during a news show aired on Monday 26 January on Assyria TV. "They are the ones who bombed the Assyrian restaurants, the Miami restaurant and the others. They bombed them and blamed the bombings on ISIS in order to scare our people and push them out of their areas", Zitou continued. A total of 19 Assyrians were killed and 30 wounded in three bombings in December 2015 in central Qamishly targeting Assyrian-owned restaurants Miami and Gabriel. While ISIS claimed the attacks, Assyrian observers have noted that several details did not match how ISIS operates. "What SDF did, it blamed on ISIS, including the assassination of David Jendo and Elias Nasser. They are doing the same thing now again. They are not better than ISIS even despite the fact that the new government was associated with ISIS and Al Qaeda", Zitou said. The April 2015 assassination of Assyrian leader David Jendo was initially claimed by ISIS but it was later revealed that it was carried out by YPG operatives after Elias Nasser managed to survive the assassination attempt and could reveal the identities of the assassins. The YPG then admitted what had happened but claimed that its members had acted on their own, adding credibility to Assyrian claims that the YPG was orchestrating attacks and blaming them on jihadist groups. ### 500 Years of Confusion Ends Today URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/500-years-of-confusion-ends-today/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T22:24:09.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Now, in 2020, while most of the world is scrambling to figure out how they will afford the best car or the most beautiful house, our people are on the brink of extinction. Meanwhile, a handful of leaders in our community have emerged and are busy insisting on our people’s existence so that the world will know us long after our generation passes. To me, that is what it means to be Chaldean. However, in order to truly know what it means to be Chaldean, you must first know what it means to be Assyrian." Read the full story [here](https://medium.com/@chrissalem/a-name-chaldeans-forgot-assyria-bea23450fa40?ref=assyriapost.com). ### Assyrians in Syria to US Senator Lindsey Graham: Where is the “Save the Assyrians Act?” URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-in-syria-to-us-senator-lindsey-graham-where-is-the-save-the-assyrians-act/ Last updated: 2026-01-29T23:01:07.000Z Lindsey Graham, a Republican U.S. senator, has voiced support for Kurdish forces in northeast Syria amid operations by the Syrian government to regain control over areas held since 2011 by the Kurdish YPG militia, an offshoot of the PKK. Graham (R–South Carolina), together with Richard Blumenthal (D–Connecticut), introduced the *Save the Kurds Act* on 29 January in response to what they described as “repeated attacks by Syrian government forces on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).” The proposed legislation would impose sanctions on Syrian government officials and financial institutions, as well as on foreign individuals engaging in any transaction, including military or financial support, with the Syrian government. “I believe there is strong bipartisan support for the idea of protecting the Kurds in Syria and beyond, because they have been such a reliable ally to the United States,” Graham said in a press release, adding: “To those countries or groups who believe it is open season on the Kurds in Syria without consequence, you will be sadly mistaken.” The *Save the Kurds Act* authorizes sanctions against Syrian officials and institutions and grants the U.S. president the authority to suspend them upon certifying to Congress that the Syrian government has ceased all attacks on the SDF. It also includes a “snapback” provision requiring the immediate reimposition of sanctions should such attacks resume. [Assyrian Democratic Organization denounces forced closure of Assyrian schools by Kurdish groupTwo leading Assyrian organizations, the Assyrian Democratic Organization and The Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights, have denounced and condemned the closure of Assyrian schools in northeast Syria’s Gozarto Region by Kurdish militants.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-69.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/ADO--1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assy/) ### **“Where is the Save the Assyrians Act?”** Assyrians in northeast Syria who spoke to the *Assyria Post* expressed frustration and disappointment over the senators’ initiative and its exclusive focus on Kurdish forces. “The world is upside down,” said one Assyrian from the Khabur area. “Do they even know that we exist and what we have been through? Why is there never any support for us?” Another Assyrian from Qamishli, a former member of the Sotooro force, echoed the sentiment, stating: “I wish I could bring this senator here and show him the reality on the ground,” and asking whether Assyrians or Christians are mentioned at all in the proposed legislation. [Kurdish group renews attempt to impose curriculum on Assyrian schools in Syria’s Gozarto RegionThe Kurdish group in control of the Gozarto Region is seeking to once again impose a new curriculum on Assyrian schools.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-68.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-12-at-23.47.48-4.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-group-renews-attempt-to-impose-curriculum-on-assyrian-schools-in-syrias-gozarto-region/) ### **The legislative process** The *Assyria Post* has not been able to identify any scheduled vote on the bill. As a newly introduced act, it does not yet appear to have been assigned a bill number in public records, nor has it been formally referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where it would most likely be debated. If passed by the Senate, the bill would proceed to the House of Representatives and then to the president for signature. Even under an expedited process, this could take several weeks. Observers note that the PYD/YPG’s political maneuvering appears aimed at buying time, with the hope that such legislation might advance and increase pressure on the Syrian government. *Editor's note: names of individuals in Syria have been withheld due to the risk of reprisals.* ### The City Beneath the City URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-city-beneath-the-city/ Last updated: 2026-01-29T22:23:29.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "I recall a trip in the 2000s to Mesopotamia, to Mardin and Midyat, together with my mother and in the company of a journalist and family friend who had written two reports – one about Yazidis, the other about Assyrians. I remember that he travelled to Sweden for the Assyrians. He had written both pieces as a young journalist in the 1980s, at a time when a large wave of Assyrians emigrated from their northern Mesopotamian homeland in Turkey to Sweden, Germany and the US, and had published these pieces in a slim book, which he gave me thirty years later during that trip. I take it out now: *Yezidiler ve Süryanileri* \[i\] by Murat Öztemir – a tall man, whose eyes, always half-closed due to a sensitivity in his eyelids, never miss a thing. That’s how I remember him. And that he smiles impishly, even when recounting something painful. His report on the Assyrians begins with a journey to Sweden, because this is where a fragment of Mesopotamia had found its way. What has become of this fragment nearly half a century later?" Read the full story: [The City Beneath the City. Mind MapsIn “Mind Maps,” Deniz Utlu explores the interweaving of migration, mythology, and memory—a literary cartography of Europe spanning Mesopotamia, Sweden, and Berlin.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-23.ico)Goethe-InstitutDeniz Utlu![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/gedankenkarten_quer.png)](https://www.goethe.de/prj/zei/en/art/27144461.html?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Assyria Post Surpasses 2.5 Million Social Media Impressions URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyria-post-surpasses-2-5-million-social-media-impressions/ Last updated: 2026-01-28T21:58:17.000Z The Assyria Post has recently surpassed 2.5 million impressions across its social media channels. Despite being a relatively new outlet, with operations beginning only in the autumn of last year, the Post has already achieved considerable reach—particularly on X (formerly Twitter). “Our accounts are still quite small in terms of follower numbers, but we are punching well above our weight when it comes to actual impressions, which is a far more meaningful metric,” said Maialen García, the Post’s social media intern from Barcelona. In recent weeks, the Assyria Post’s reach on X has been comparable to that of accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers, and even some news outlets with over a million followers. An increasing number of journalists, policymakers, and other influential voices are discovering the Assyria Post, largely through viral posts on X. Co-editor David Barsom believes the outlet is filling an important gap. “There is a clear demand for Assyrian news told from an Assyrian perspective, not only among Assyrians, but also among non-Assyrians who want to understand where Assyrians stand on key issues in Assyria and neighboring regions. Assyrians have long been underrepresented in public discourse, and much of the reporting about us remains internal, failing to reach the English-speaking world.” The Assyria Post can be followed on [X](https://x.com/AssyriaPost?ref=assyriapost.com), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/assyriapost/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/assyriapost/?ref=assyriapost.com), and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/assyria-post/?ref=assyriapost.com). ### Discovery Unveils Private Homes at Assyrian merchant colony in Anatolia URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/discovery-unveils-private-homes-at-assyrian-merchant-colony-in-anatolia/ Last updated: 2026-01-28T21:53:14.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "The newly discovered houses predate the arrival of Assyrian merchants by several centuries, challenging earlier assumptions that only grand structures occupied the summit of Kultepe. Professor Kulakoglu explained that Kultepe has been home to successive monumental buildings since at least the third millennium BC, with palaces and temples being destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout its long history. "This shows Kultepe has been a major center not only during the Assyrian merchants' time but long before, from around 6,000 years ago," he noted. The discovery represents what Kulakoglu describes as "a new event" for the archaeological team. The presence of private homes among the palaces suggests a more complex urban layout than previously understood. These residential structures contained distinctive ceramics and architectural elements that set them apart from other areas of the settlement, indicating possible social stratification among the inhabitants. The houses likely belonged to administrators, craftsmen, and other professionals who worked within the monumental complexes but needed to live nearby." *Read the full story:* [Breakthrough Discovery Unveils Private Homes at Kultepe, Anatolia | Ancient OriginsTurkish archaeologists uncover 4,700-year-old private houses at Kultepe Kanesh site for first time, revealing ancient residential quarter alongside monumental buildings.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-192x192.png)Ancient Origins Reconstructing the story of humanity's pastGary Manners![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/KultepeT.jpg)](https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/kultepe-archaeological-discovery-0022360?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Life Sentence for Akitu Axe Attack in Nohadra URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/life-sentence-for-akitu-axe-attack-in-nohadra/ Last updated: 2026-01-28T10:00:48.000Z **The Erbil Criminal** Court in Northern Iraq has issued a life imprisonment sentence against Luay Abdul Rahim Ramadan, a Syrian Kurd, after convicting him of carrying out an axe attack on the Assyrian New Year (Akitu) procession on 1 April 2025 in Nohadra (Duhok). The attack left two Assyrians, a woman and a young man, seriously injured. [Assyrians attacked during national Akitu parade in NohadraAssyrians found themselves under attack during the national new year parade in Nohadra (Dohuk), Northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-66.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-07-20-at-23.36.30-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-man-attacks-assyrians-during-national-parade/) The attack occurred in broad daylight during official Akitu festivities attended by families and youth, drawing widespread condemnation from Assyrian political parties, civil society groups, and human rights organizations at the time. Assyrian groups welcomed the sentence, with the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM) describing the ruling as “justice served and a clear rejection of terrorism.” Community figures noted that the verdict sends an important signal amid growing concerns over incitement and hate speech targeting Assyrians in the Kurdish-run region. [New attacks on Assyrian graves and church highlight pattern of impunity in Kurdish-led Northern IraqTwo new attacks on Assyrian sites in the KRG, vandalized graves in Armota and a church stoned in Deralok, have renewed concerns over rising hostility and years of impunity for crimes targeting Assyrians.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-67.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Turkey-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/new-attacks-on-assyrian-graves-and-church-highlight-pattern-of-impunity-in-kurdish-led-northern-iraq/) The ruling remains a rare instance of accountability in the region, where many attacks against Assyrians have historically gone unpunished. Several high-profile cases, including the 1993 assassination of Assyrian politician Francis Shabo, remain unresolved, with perpetrators never brought to justice. In addition, dozens of court rulings in favor of Assyrian landowners, particularly in cases involving the illegal seizure of Assyrian lands, have yet to be implemented, contributing to deep mistrust in the rule of law among Assyrians. [Groups warn of new Kurdish land grab in Assyrian village of BakhetmeAssyrian political parties are sounding the alarm over Kurdish plans to grab land areas belonging to the Assyrian village of Bakhetme in Northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-65.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Bakhetme-Barzani-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/groups-warn-of-new-kurdish-land-grab-in-assyrian-village-of-bakhetme/) ### A Mysterious Sand Layer Beneath an Ancient Assur Temple URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/a-mysterious-sand-layer-beneath-an-ancient-assur-temple/ Last updated: 2026-01-27T20:38:32.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Archaeologists working at the ancient city of Assur, once the spiritual and political heart of the [Assyrian ](https://arkeonews.net/chariots-in-neo-assyrian-army/?ref=assyriapost.com)world, have uncovered a surprising secret hidden beneath the foundations of the Ishtar Temple. Beneath the stone and brick lies a thick, deliberately placed layer of sand—one that is now transforming scholars’ understanding of early Mesopotamian civilization. According to a newly published scientific study, this sand is not local debris or a natural deposit. Instead, it was carefully sourced, transported, and laid down nearly 5,000 years ago, long before Assur rose to imperial power. The discovery offers rare insight into ancient building rituals, long-distance connections, and the early origins of the cult of the goddess Ishtar." *Read the full story:* [A Mysterious Sand Layer Beneath an Ancient Assur Temple: A Unique Discovery in Northern Mesopotamia Rewriting the Origins of the Goddess Ishtar - Arkeonewssand layer deliberately placed beneath the Ishtar Temple in Assur reveals new evidence of early Mesopotamian building rituals, long-distance![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/ArkeonewsLogo-300x300.png)ArkeonewsLeman Altuntaş![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Ishtar-Temple-of-Assur-.jpg)](https://arkeonews.net/a-mysterious-sand-layer-beneath-an-ancient-assur-temple-a-unique-discovery-in-northern-mesopotamia-rewriting-the-origins-of-the-goddess-ishtar/?ref=assyriapost.com#google%5Fvignette) ### Testimonies of Survival: Dr. Matthias Binder’s Theological Perspective on Seyfo URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/testimonies-of-survival-dr-matthias-binders-theological-perspective-on-seyfo/ Last updated: 2026-01-26T23:36:57.000Z **Dr. Matthias Binder**, a Protestant pastor and scholar who has conducted one of the most comprehensive research projects in recent years regarding the Seyfo Genocide, appeared recently on the Assyrian think tank *Platform Turabdin* to talk about his research. Dr. Binder, who is a researcher at the Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany, presented his monumental two-volume, nearly 1,000-page habilitation thesis. A habilitation thesis refers to a major, original body of research written after earning a PhD and intended to demonstrate that the scholar is capable of conducting independent, high-level research and university-level teaching in a specific field. ### ​A Lifework of Memory ​Dr. Binder spent years analyzing approximately 300 sources originating from Assyrians of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The unique aspect of his work is its focus on theological coping in the face of horror. He explored not only what happened but how the survivors and their descendants used their faith to interpret the incomprehensible. ​During the discussion, it was emphasized that the study goes far beyond a purely historical chronicle. Binder utilizes the term "post-genocide" to describe the fact that a genocide does not end with the final killings. Rather, it is an ongoing state that continues to shape the identity, politics, and social fabric of descendants to this day. ​A central point of the conversation was the distinction between individual, social, and cultural trauma. While not every individual may be psychologically traumatized, the entire people are culturally marked by displacement (diaspora) and the loss of their homeland. According to Binder, a "shared narrative" of trauma is necessary to communicate their history to the rest of the world. ​Interestingly, the study identifies a significant shift in religious interpretation over time. Binder distinguishes between what he calls early interpretations and modern perspectives. In early interpretations, immediate eyewitness accounts (Mimre), one often finds motifs of the imitation of Christ and martyrdom. God was perceived as just, and suffering was sometimes interpreted as a trial or even a punishment for sins. In the modern perspectives, the motif of "divine punishment" has almost completely disappeared. Instead, faith serves as a source of strength for preserving identity and the struggle for recognition. ### ​From Silence to Political Activism ​The interview also sheds light on the phases of silence. For a long time, survivors in Turkey remained silent out of fear or as a protective strategy for their children. It was only in the diaspora, particularly starting in the 1980s and intensifying around the year 2000, that a process of written documentation and political engagement began. Oral history evolved into films, novels, and academic research. ​Dr. Binder’s work was honored during the session as a "huge treasure" that places the voices of those affected at the center of the narrative. As Binder remarked in his closing statements, the history of Seyfo must not simply end up in a "museum" but must be understood as a living part of Assyrian identity. The interview, conducted in German by the moderator Abdulmesih BarAbraham, can be watched here: ### Would you kidnap a god? URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/would-you-kidnap-a-god/ Last updated: 2026-01-26T21:27:58.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. “Anything that goes wrong in your life is because the gods are angry with you. If you become really ill, it’s because you are estranged from the gods in some way,” Wisnom explains. Offending a god might come through obvious crimes, like theft and murder, but also through acts that seem distant from modern morality. “Some of the things seem really odd to us, like vomiting in a river is apparently a great offence to the gods,” Wisnom says. Worse still, guilt could be contagious: “If you sit in the same chair as somebody who’s committed an offence, you can pick up that guilt yourself.” *Read the full story:* [Would you kidnap a god? This ancient Mesopotamian empire did – and for a genius reasonHistorian Selena Wisnom reveals how the ancient Assyrians of Mesopotamia used ‘godnapping’ as a devastating form of psychological warfare![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-22.ico)HistoryExtraJames Osborne![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Steal-a-godGettyImages-1521914701500x1000-8044137-e1755614597169.jpg)](https://www.historyextra.com/period/ancient-history/mesopotamia-assyrian-empire-godnapping-clever-reason/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The fermented crescent URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-fermented-crescent/ Last updated: 2026-01-25T21:50:34.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Hundreds of thousands of clay tablets, densely packed with cuneiform characters, testify to more than three millennia of history in Mesopotamia. And thousands of those tablets testify to more than three millennia of beer. They allow us to peer into the minds and mouths of our beer-drinking forebears – what kind of beverages they preferred, how these beverages were made, what they meant to people. Thanks to more than a century of archaeological excavation, we can also bring these documentary sources into conversation with other remains – architecture, ceramics, stone tools, cylinder seals, carbonised seeds – that allow us to look beyond what was put down in writing. We can, for example, take a virtual tour through the spaces where beer was brewed, reconstruct the brewer’s toolkit (and use replica vessels to brew some beer ourselves), or sneak a peek at exclusive elite banquets through the eyes of ancient artists." *Read the full story:* [Mesopotamians found beer celebratory, intoxicating and erotic | Aeon EssaysAncient Mesopotamians had a profound love of beer: a beverage they found celebratory, intoxicating and strangely erotic![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/safari-pinned-tab.svg)Aeon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/essay-louvre-289151.jpg)](https://aeon.co/essays/mesopotamians-found-beer-celebratory-intoxicating-and-erotic?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Swedish MEP makes unsubstantiated claim of attacks on Aleppo Christians URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/swedish-mep-makes-unsubstantiated-claim-of-attacks-on-aleppo-christians/ Last updated: 2026-01-25T21:59:20.000Z Jonas Sjöstedt, a member of the Left group in the European Parliament (GUE/NGL), posted a video on his Instagram account on 14 January expressing support for the Kurdish YPG militia. Speaking in Swedish, with a YPG flag visible behind him, Sjöstedt stated: “The Islamic government is attacking Kurds and Christians in Aleppo.” [Jonas Sjöstedt on Instagram: “Fred och frihet för minoriteter i Syrien.”8,463 likes, 841 comments - sjostedt35 on January 14, 2026: “Fred och frihet för minoriteter i Syrien.”.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/De-Dwpd5CHc.png)Instagram![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/613593479_1389883519340239_526083052461427038_n.jpg)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTfy5F9iJQI/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) The claim is not supported by available information. There have been no reports of Syrian government attacks targeting Christian communities in Aleppo, including the city’s Assyrian population, in connection with the military campaign to drive out the YPG militia from the city. The Post contacted Sjöstedt by email seeking clarification regarding the basis of his statement but had received no response at the time of publication. Sjöstedt, a former leader of Sweden’s Left Party (Vänsterpartiet), is known among Swedish-Assyrians for his longstanding support of Kurdish political causes. While he has previously spoken out against Turkish policies affecting Assyrians, he has not publicly addressed documented abuses committed by Kurdish armed groups against Assyrian communities. His statement reflects a broader narrative often employed by Kurdish political and armed groups, which frames opposition to Kurdish militias as attacks on Kurds as a whole, often deliberately including Assyrians in the equation. Critics argue that this framing is used to generate international sympathy by presenting Kurdish forces as protectors of Assyrians and others, despite the complexity of the situation on the ground. ### Tappūtī-Bēlet-ekallim, The Oldest Perfumer on Record URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/tapputi-belet-ekallim-the-oldest-perfumer-on-record/ Last updated: 2026-01-24T23:32:32.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "If you Google who the first perfumer in history was, you will find Tappūtī-Bēlet-ekallim; most likely, her name will be shortened to Tapputi. Online sources cast her as a proto-girl-boss**,** a kind of corporate feminist before the conception of capitalism. However, today let’s dig past the hype to look at the source material and see Tappūtī-Bēlet-ekallim not as the patron saint of corporate perfumery, but as one of many Assyrian workers who helped develop the bedrock of olfactory culture." *Read the full story:* [Tappūtī-Bēlet-ekallim, The Oldest Perfumer on Record – World Sensorium / Conservancy![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-WS-icon-512-270x270.png)Plantings![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/McBride-1.jpg)](https://worldsensorium.com/tapputi-badakallim-the-oldest-perfumer-on-record/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Assyrian-Australian Danella Butrus Re-Signs with Melbourne City FC URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/danel/ Last updated: 2026-01-24T23:07:45.000Z **Born in Nohadra** (Dohuk) in the Assyrian region of Iraq, Butrus arrived in Australia as a refugee in 2013\. She began her football journey at grassroots level, playing as a forward for Roxburgh Park United in the Victorian State League (Division 5 North) under Assyrian coach Basim Rasho, where her talent and work ethic quickly stood out. [Matildas joy: Rising Roxburgh Park star joins national sideDanella Butrus, a Roxburgh Park United FC player in Melbourne, has joined the Junior Matildas in time for the U17 Women’s World Cup selection. Coach Basim Rasho says her selection is a valuable investment in Australian soccer. He says Danella scored 117 goals in 18 matches and that Australian…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/app-icon_192x192-5d5e260-4.png)SBS Language![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/90-5)](https://www.sbs.com.au/language/assyrian/en/podcast-episode/talented-danella-rising-star-from-roxburgh-park-joins-junior-matildas-for-u17-womens-world-cup-glory/lie0qalwv?ref=assyriapost.com) Her standout performances in the National Premier Leagues Victoria Women (NPLW) brought widespread recognition, culminating in her being awarded the 2025 NPLW Gold Medal, the league’s highest individual honour. These performances paved the way for her move to Melbourne City FC, one of the most successful clubs in A-League Women history. Since joining Melbourne City, Butrus has continued to develop, featuring in domestic competition and on the continental stage, including appearances in the AFC Women’s Champions League. > This 18-year-old seriously pulled off a rainbow flick in just her FOURTH game 😮‍💨🌈 > > Danella Butrus has got some tekkers. > > 🎥 The AFC Hub [pic.twitter.com/pO6Ox4QFbL](https://t.co/pO6Ox4QFbL?ref=assyriapost.com) > > — Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) [November 17, 2025](https://twitter.com/aleaguewomen/status/1990284009864147410?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=assyriapost.com) At international level, Butrus has represented Australia with the Junior Matildas, competing at the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup alongside fellow Assyrian Alvina Khoshaba, now of Western Sydney Wanderers FC—highlighting the growing Assyrian presence in Australia’s elite football pathways. Butrus follows in the footsteps of Assyrian pioneers in Australian women’s football, most notably Leena Khamis and Shamiran Khamis. Leena Khamis remains one of the most prominent Assyrian footballers in Australian history, having represented the Matildas on 25 occasions, including appearances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011 and 2015, alongside a distinguished club career in Australia and Denmark. Her sister, Shamiran Khamis, also represented Australia at youth level and plays professionally, while their eldest sister, Linda Khamis, currently serves as head coach of the Western Sydney Wanderers U23 women’s squad. Today, Shamiran Khamis plays for the Western Sydney Wanderers alongside fellow Assyrians Alvina Khoshaba and Miriam Zumaya. Together, their achievements laid important foundations for Assyrian representation in the women’s game—foundations upon which players like Danella Butrus are now building. ### Chicago county honors Assyrian heritage, highlights leading community members URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/chicago-county-honors-assyrian-heritage-highlights-leading-community-members/ Last updated: 2026-01-23T23:00:37.000Z **The recognition was** announced in a statement released by the Treasurer’s office on Friday 23 February, marking Assyrian National Heritage Month and acknowledging the historical depth and modern achievements of the Assyrian community. According to the statement, the honorees represent a broad cross-section of Assyrian civic life, including entrepreneurs, professionals, educators, and community advocates who have played a key role in strengthening both the Assyrian community and the wider social and economic fabric of Cook County. Treasurer Pappas praised the Assyrian community for its resilience, cultural preservation, and commitment to public service, noting that Assyrians have contributed significantly to local business development, charitable initiatives, and civic engagement while maintaining a strong attachment to their heritage. Assyrian community leaders welcomed the recognition as an important gesture of visibility and inclusion, stressing that public acknowledgment by elected officials helps affirm the Assyrian presence and identity within American civic life. [Assyrian language program in Chicago expands to fourth yearLaunched in 2023, Chicago’s Assyrian language program has grown into a four year high school offering, as advocates now work to replicate the model in California.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-64.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/D19.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-language-program-in-chicago-expands-to-fourth-year/) Cook County is home to one of the largest Assyrian populations in the United States, with communities concentrated in the Chicago metropolitan area. Local Assyrian organizations have been active in promoting cultural awareness, humanitarian relief, and advocacy for the rights of Assyrians in the Assyrian homeland. The recognition by the Cook County Treasurer adds to a growing number of acknowledgments by U.S. state and local authorities recognizing Assyrian heritage, history, and contributions. ### Kurdish militia holds 35 Assyrian villages hostage in Syria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-militia-holds-35-assyrian-villages-hostage-in-syria/ Last updated: 2026-01-23T07:52:31.000Z **The Kurdish YPG** militia, which has exercised de facto control over the Gozarto region in northeastern Syria since 2011, is now surrounded by Syrian army forces as Damascus seeks to reassert control over this part of the country. Amid this dangerous situation, the 35 Assyrian villages along the Khabur River, including the Assyrian town of Tell Tamer, have effectively found themselves in a hostage-like situation. “We don’t have the power to kick them \[YPG\] out of our area and fear becoming collateral damage in the fighting if a deal is not reached,” a local Assyrian told the *Assyria Post* on Thursday. While the YPG claims it has withdrawn to Kurdish-majority areas, it continues to entrench itself in Assyrian villages and towns. Assyrians fear the militia intends to provoke fighting with the Syrian army in Assyrian areas in order to portray the army as attacking minorities and Christians. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/01/Khabur-1.png) So far, there have been reports of limited skirmishes between the two sides near Tell Tamer and in some surrounding villages, with no Assyrian casualties or injuries reported. However, the situation could quickly escalate if the Kurds and the government fail to reach an agreement before the Saturday deadline. The remaining Assyrians in Khabur could once again find themselves in grave danger. The Assyrian villages along the Khabur River, near al-Hasakeh, came under YPG coercion after the Kurdish militia murdered David Jendo, head of the local Assyrian defense force, in April 2015, for refusing to subordinate his force to YPG command. ### "ISIS is coming" Meanwhile, the Kurdish propaganda machine is in overdrive, portraying the government’s attempt to retake control of its territory as an attack on minorities. The Kurdish ANF news agency, [quoting a statement](https://english.anf-news.com/rojava-syria/european-syriac-union-the-khabur-region-in-heseke-faces-renewed-threats-83443?ref=assyriapost.com) by the PKK-aligned European Syriac Union (ESU), claimed: “In light of the war against Rojava, the European Syriac Union warns of a new threat to the Christian population in the Khabur Valley. Ten years after the ISIS attacks, jihadist groups could once again target the region.” This claim stands in contrast to the position of the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), the main body representing Assyrians in Syria. In an interview with the Syrian Ikhbariya news channel on Thursday, Gabriel Moshe, a senior ADO representative, said the organization welcomes the return of Syrian state institutions, including the army, to northeastern Syria. 0:00 /0:48 1× ADO representative Gabriel Moshe on Syrian TV channel Ikhbariya. Assyrian groups note that Syrian authorities have not targeted Assyrians or Christians during the conflict, and argue that the YPG, an offshoot of the PKK, is invoking the ISIS threat in an effort to retain control. In the current situation, the Assyrian inhabitants in the Khabur area see the continued presence of YPG militants as the threat to their safety. The European Syriac Union is a front organization of the [Bethnahrin National Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethnahrin%5FNational%5FCouncil?ref=assyriapost.com), commonly known as the Dawronoye. The controversial group was formed by Assyrian members of the PKK in the 1980s to co-opt Assyrian public opinion in favor of Kurdish nationalism. The group, with its Syriac Press news outlet, enjoys dwindling support among Assyrians and has seen its membership decline sharply due to its pro-Kurdish stance. ### Ancient Mesopotamian clay tablets reveal intricate details of how empire was governed URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ancient-mesopotamian-clay-tablets-reveal-intricate-details-of-how-empire-was-governed/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T22:33:14.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "The tablets contain details about everything from scholarly texts to sheep and barley rations. They date back to the Akkad period (2300BC-2150BC), which, Rey tells *The Art Newspaper*, was “an extremely important period in Mesopotamian history—featuring charismatic kings such as Naram-Sin, the first to proclaim himself divine—and a crucial moment in world history, since it marked the rise of the very first recorded empire”. Among the clay tablets are school texts, Rey says. “These are the remains of the scribal training process for the administrators of the state’s archives under Akkad imperial rule. It’s a fabulous discovery.” The sealings, he says, are broken impressions on clay of the seal of Lugal-ushumgal, the governor of Lagash, a city close to Girsu, who was directly appointed by Naram-Sin and reported to him. Using the fragments, Rey and his team were able to reconstruct the entire seal, revealing text that reads: “Naram-Sin, the mighty, god of Akkad, king of the four quarters (of the world): Lugal-ushumgal, the scribe, governor, your servant.” “It says it all,” Rey continues. “Total control.” *Read the full story:* [Ancient Mesopotamian clay tablets discovered in Iraq reveal intricate details of how empire was governedThe finds, which also include dozens of clay sealings, contain details of a metric system used to measure resources, as well as evidence of a cult of personality around a particularly charismatic ruler![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-21.ico)The Art Newspaper - International art news and eventsHadani Ditmars![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/0849783912550b396d3c6d9c91b201e23cfd9507-2327x1701.jpg)](https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/03/20/ancient-mesopotamian-clay-tablets-discovered-iraq-reveal-intricate-details-how-empire-governed?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Assyrian parties in Syria call for restraint, dialogue URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-parties-in-syria-call-for-restraint-dialogue/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T06:36:07.000Z The Assyrian Democratic Organization, ADO and the Assyrian Democratic Party, ADP have both issued statements calling for restraint and dialogue to resolve the ongoing conflict between the Kurdish PYD party, which occupies segments of Gozarto, and the Syrian government. "Hasakah governorate, especially the Khabur region and the town of Tel Tamer, represents a historical, humanitarian, and existential depth for our Assyrian people. These areas have suffered in recent years from the scourge of terrorism, violence, and displacement, and the effects of those tragedies remain present in the collective memory of the region’s inhabitants. Any new military escalation would risk reproducing catastrophe and threaten what remains of the authentic Assyrian presence on this land.", the ADP has stated. The ADP added: "In this context, the Assyrian Democratic Party affirms its categorical rejection of turning areas of civilian, particularly Assyrian villages along the banks of the Khabur River, into arenas of conflict or sites for military or regional score-settling. Peaceful civilians must remain outside the circle of conflict, and their protection is a national and moral responsibility that falls upon all parties." Meanwhile, the Assyrian Democratic Organization said it: "Directs a sincere national appeal to the President of the Republic, Ahmad al-Sharaa, to continue and deepen dialogue with all components of the Jazira region, and to work seriously to find peaceful solutions and political understandings that lead to a permanent halt to military operations and address the causes of the conflict through national dialogue, reaching a comprehensive political solution that ends the state of exclusion and political deadlock." There are no reports of Assyrian casualties since the beginning of the armed Kurdish uprising. ### Silver necklace depicting Assyrian goddess Ishtar unearthed URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/silver-necklace-depicting-assyrian-goddess-ishtar-unearthed/ Last updated: 2026-01-21T22:50:02.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. The artifact was discovered at the 2,200-year-old site, located on Asarcik Hill in the Marmaris district, where excavations have been carried out uninterrupted throughout 2025 under the leadership of archaeologist Mehmet Gurbuzer from Mugla Sitki Kocman University. Gurbuzer told Anadolu that each excavation season brings new and exciting discoveries, noting that this year a silver necklace depicting the Assyrian goddess Ishtar, featuring a lion figure and an eight-pointed star, was uncovered. He said the find, associated with Ishtar, known as “Inanna” in Sumerian culture, indicates that Amos once possessed significant cultural, economic and commercial power. *Read the full story:* [Silver necklace depicting Assyrian goddess Ishtar unearthed in southwestern TürkiyeA silver necklace featuring a lion figure and an eight-pointed star, believed to represent the Assyrian goddess Ishtar, has been unearthed during excavations at the ancient city of Amos in Mugla, southwestern Türkiye.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/fav.png)Belarusian Telegraph Agency![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/000177_1768977451_176005_big.jpg)](https://eng.belta.by/partner%5Fnews/view/silver-necklace-depicting-assyrian-goddess-ishtar-unearthed-in-southwestern-turkiye-176005-2026/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Gozarto's Assyrians on edge as Syrian army rolls back Kurdish militia URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/gozartos-assyrians-on-edge-as-syrian-army-rolls-back-kurdish-militia/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T23:02:44.000Z Military developments in the Gozarto region have raised concerns among the local Assyrian population. The rapid advance of the Syrian army, alongside local Arab tribesmen, rolled back Kurdish control over much of the region by Tuesday night. At the time a preliminary ceasefire came into effect late Tuesday, the PKK/YPG militia remained largely concentrated in the city of Hasakah, Qamishli, and other towns and villages with significant Kurdish populations. Assyrians in the area remain apprehensive about the unfolding developments, yet cautiously hopeful after witnessing the smooth and largely bloodless takeover by the Syrian army of two neighbourhoods in Aleppo earlier this month. Assyrians have continued to suffer under the rule of the Kurdish PYD party and its militia, the YPG. Among a long list of grievances, the group has sought to confiscate Assyrian properties belonging to emigrants, was implicated in the murder of Assyrian leader David Jendo, closed Assyrian schools, and attempted to impose a Kurdish curriculum. The Kurdish group has also abducted a number of Assyrians with attempts to conscript some of them by force. [Kurdish group renews attempt to impose curriculum on Assyrian schools in Syria’s Gozarto RegionThe Kurdish group in control of the Gozarto Region is seeking to once again impose a new curriculum on Assyrian schools.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-62.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-12-at-23.47.48-3.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-group-renews-attempt-to-impose-curriculum-on-assyrian-schools-in-syrias-gozarto-region/) ### **No reports of Assyrian casualties so far** As of writing, there are no reports of Assyrian casualties or injuries. However, reports of heavy gunfire around the Assyrian town of Tell Tamer emerged on Tuesday evening, along with alleged bombardments in the Assyrian village of Tal Jemaa. Two heavy explosions were also reported near the outskirts of Qamishli late Tuesday. Reports also alleged Kurdish militiamen had entrenched themselves in Assyrian places of worship and schools. Most Assyrians in the Gozarto region reside in the Khabur Valley, Qamishli, Hasakah, al-Malikiyah, and al-Qahtaniyah, in addition to a number of surrounding villages. The largest concentration of Assyrians is in central Qamishli. ### **ADO: We are in touch with factions** The Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), the main political body representing Assyrians in the region, issued a statement calling for dialogue and a peaceful solution. It said it is actively working to keep Assyrian areas out of danger: “Within the framework of its national responsibility, the organization is following developments through its relations and contacts with the Syrian government, with the aim of ensuring the security of our areas, villages, towns, and churches. In addition, through some leadership comrades, communication is underway with military factions to emphasize the necessity of keeping the region neutral from military conflict and ensuring the safety of civilians, particularly in the Khabur region, which has long witnessed tensions and clashes between various parties.” [“What About Our Rights?” Assyrians Respond to Syrian Decree Recognising KurdsSyria’s interim president has issued a decree formally recognizing Kurdish identity. While welcomed by many, the move has also reignited concerns among Assyrians and others over exclusion from national recognition.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-63.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Assyrians-Kamishly-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/what-about-our-rights-assyrians-respond-to-syrian-decree-recognising-kurds/) ### Ancient Mesopotamian medical texts reveal the role of divine sanctuaries URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ancient-mesopotamian-medical-texts-reveal-the-role-of-divine-sanctuaries/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T20:42:20.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. The sanctuaries referred to in the text instructed patients to seek out sanctuaries of various gods, including Sîn, Ninurta, Šamaš, Ištar, and Marduk. These sanctuaries included personal shrines likely located in the homes of the patients. Once there, "Presumably, the patient would recite one or more prayers and various ritual actions, such as present offerings," says Dr. Arbøll. "In the healing goddess Gula's temple in the Babylonian city Isin, remains of votive figurines suggest that patients could have visited the temple with these, and the objects somehow related to their affliction. Such patients may have left votive figurines at the temple as acts of supplication." *Read the full story:* [Ancient Mesopotamian medical texts reveal the role of divine sanctuaries in treating ear and spleen ailmentsIn a study published in the journal Iraq, Dr. Troels Arbøll analyzed medical prescriptions from ancient Mesopotamia to understand and re-evaluate the role sanctuaries played in the healing process. The study found that specific ailments, particularly those linked to the ear and spleen/pancreas (ṭulīmu), were associated with prescriptions instructing the patients to seek out sanctuaries of deities to receive good fortune.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-4.svg)Phys.orgSandee Oster![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/ancient-mesopotamian-m.jpg)](https://phys.org/news/2026-01-ancient-mesopotamian-medical-texts-reveal.html?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Ancient pottery from Mesopotamia may hold earliest clues to mathematics URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ancient-pottery-from-mesopotamia-may-hold-earliest-clues-to-mathematics/ Last updated: 2026-01-19T23:07:17.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Plantlike designs on pottery made almost 8,000 years ago may be the earliest evidence yet of mathematical thinking. Many of the flower decorations painted on pottery by an ancient culture in northern Mesopotamia exhibit regular numbers of petals determined by a mathematical progression, a pair of archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem report in a recent study. This finding, the scientists say, suggests that these people used a similar understanding for the division of land and agricultural produce." *Read the full article:* [This ancient pottery holds the earliest evidence of humans doing mathFlower designs on 8,000-year-old Mesopotamian pots reveal a “mathematical knowledge” perhaps developed to share land and crops, archaeologists say.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-favicon.jpg)Science Newsccrockett![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/010725_TM_pottery_feat.jpg)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-pottery-math-earliest-evidence?ref=assyriapost.com) ### “What About Our Rights?” Assyrians Respond to Syrian Decree Recognising Kurds URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/what-about-our-rights-assyrians-respond-to-syrian-decree-recognising-kurds/ Last updated: 2026-01-19T09:31:29.000Z ### **Syrian interim president** Ahmad Al-Sharaa issued a decree on 16 January granting Kurds formal recognition within Syria. The move comes amid Damascus’ efforts to rein in the PKK-linked YPG Kurdish militia controlling the country’s northeast and appears aimed at creating divisions within Kurdish ranks and addressing international concerns over Damascus’ willingness to adopt a more inclusive approach. The decree formally recognises Kurdish identity as part of Syria’s national fabric and Kurdish as a “national language,” allowing it to be taught across the country. It also recognises the Iranian-Kurdish Newros celebration as a public holiday in Syria. The decree further restores citizenship to all Kurdish Syrians, an issue dating back to a 1962 census which concluded that large numbers of Kurds in al-Hasakah province had illegally entered Syria from Turkey in previous decades and falsely registered as Syrian citizens, after which the state revoked their citizenship. The surprising announcement has received mixed reactions. While many Kurds in Syria celebrated the decree, others cautioned that the recognition must be enshrined in the constitution before it can be trusted to translate into reality on the ground. ### **Assyrian reactions** The Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), the leading Assyrian political group in the country, welcomed the decree but also highlighted the exclusion of Assyrians and others from formal recognition, stating: “While we value the issuance of this decree and congratulate the Kurdish people in Syria on attaining these rights, we believe that the decree, in its current form, remains incomplete. It does not comprehensively address the issue of national diversity in Syria, but rather reduces it to the Arab and Kurdish components, thereby ignoring the other indigenous national components, foremost among them the Assyrians.” The statement went on to stress that Assyrian parties seek formal recognition of Assyrian identity and language as well. Assyrian journalist Suleiman Youssef from Qamishli commented on the decree: “A good step by the Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa toward granting cultural and linguistic rights to Syrian Kurds… but what about the legitimate national rights of the Assyrians, who are the authentic indigenous component of Syria, from whom Syria took its name and its first and original national identity, and whose language is the original national mother language of historical Syria?” ### **Transitional constitutional declaration** Syria is currently ruled under a newly approved constitutional declaration, intended to govern the country’s transitional phase. The declaration, endorsed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa on March 13, 2025, grants the president sweeping authority, including over judicial and legislative appointments, without checks or oversight. These powers raise serious concerns about the durability of the rule of law and human rights protections unless clear safeguards are introduced. The declaration justifies these extraordinary powers as necessary for the transitional period. Al-Sharaa was declared president in late January 2025 following a conference of armed groups. He is set to lead the country for a five-year transitional period, as stipulated in Article 52 of the constitutional declaration, until a permanent constitution is adopted and elections are held. ### How An Ancient Copper Merchant Became An Internet Star URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/how-an-ancient-copper-merchant-became-an-internet-star/ Last updated: 2026-01-18T22:24:10.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Often called the worst copper merchant in all of Mesopotamia, Ea-nāṣir was most likely not that bad. He brought copper from Dilmun to the palace of the ancient city of Ur, famous for its impressive Ziggurat, located in what is now Iraq. This was during the Bronze Age, when copper was a fundamental commodity used for metal works, weapons, armors, and shields. It was the cutting edge of technology at the time; the equivalent of someone trading in microchips today. So if you believed you were given a sub-par product, you’d definitely complain." Read the full story [here](https://www.iflscience.com/ea-nasir-how-an-ancient-copper-merchant-became-an-internet-star-82254?ref=assyriapost.com). ### The Library of Ancient Wisdom — in the court of Nineveh, knowledge was power URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-library-of-ancient-wisdom-in-the-court-of-nineveh-knowledge-was-power/ Last updated: 2026-01-17T21:29:49.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Given the great antiquity of Ashurbanipal’s library, we know an extraordinary amount about it, not just of its contents, but the way in which it was managed, in part thanks to many letters that were also uncovered from the ruins of Nineveh. We know, for example, that it was formed from the libraries of his immediate ancestors, Sargon II, Sennacherib and Esarhaddon, but that Ashurbanipal was the first of his dynasty to have a real scholarly interest in its contents. He actively sought to add new texts, and even wrote material to add to the library’s riches himself. The books — clay tablets — were kept in Temple libraries, especially those dedicated to Nabu, the god of scribes, and the custodians of these collections were temple priests. The library was essentially the personal resource of the King and his closest advisers, all of them men. No women had access." *Read the full story in the link below:* [Client Challenge![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/faviconV2)](https://www.ft.com/content/fa65d483-9611-4f0a-acbb-dde9deb956d5?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Article 125: the path to salvation or final erasure? URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/article-125-the-path-to-salvation-or-final-erasure/ Last updated: 2026-01-17T07:27:36.000Z > **“Christian” is a religious label. It does not anchor political rights in land or history. It invites guardianship rather than self-rule. An Assyrian province asserts ownership. A Christian province invites supervision.** **Today, renewed calls** to implement Article 125 of the Iraqi Constitution and to establish a province in the Nineveh Plains are again being presented as a long-overdue remedy. Iraqi officials invoke pluralism. International actors speak of reconstruction and minority protection. Assyrian members of parliament announce plans to “reopen the file.” For Assyrians who have watched these cycles repeat for decades, such announcements prompt caution rather than celebration. The danger is not that this initiative will fail. The danger is that it will succeed on terms that permanently neutralize Assyrian self-determination—transforming historic Assyrian land into a symbolic administrative unit that is praised internationally, controlled externally, and emptied of national meaning. If that occurs, Article 125 will not become a mechanism of survival. It will become the final instrument of erasure. The parallel experience of Assyrians and Yazidies under ISIS matters profoundly for the Article 125 debate. ISIS did not succeed merely because it was brutal. It succeeded because communities were forced to remain structurally dependent on forces that withdrew when it mattered most. **Any implementation of Article 125 that does not guarantee genuine self-administration—including authority over security—will simply recreate the conditions that made genocide possible.** The result so far post-ISIS has been partial return, continued emigration, and accelerating demographic collapse. Villages exist on maps but to a lesser extent in lived reality. Reconstruction without self-administration has perhaps stabilized ruins, but not restored life. This is the reality against which Article 125 must be measured. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/01/Nineh-plain-map.png) ### **Article 125: Promise Without Power** Article 125 of the Iraqi Constitution guarantees administrative, cultural, and educational rights for Iraq’s “various nationalities.” On paper, it appears to offer a pathway toward local self-administration. In practice, it has functioned as a deferral mechanism rather than an instrument of justice. For more than two decades, Article 125 has been acknowledged rhetorically while remaining unimplemented in substance. It does not create provinces automatically, nor does it guarantee territorial authority. Its realization depends entirely on political will. Critically, Iraq has never passed the implementing legislation required to operationalize Article 125\. There is no binding law defining how administrative units are formed, how authority is exercised, how security is guaranteed, or how land is protected. As a result, Article 125 exists in a legal vacuum—vulnerable to cosmetic implementation and political manipulation. Revival without substance would be worse than stagnation. > **This is why premature celebration is dangerous. A province declared without clear legal safeguards may appear to advance minority rights while, in practice, locking in dependency.** ### **Why Implementation Mechanisms Matter More Than Declarations** The absence of implementing legislation is not a technical oversight; it is the core vulnerability of Article 125 itself. Without a statutory framework defining enforcement, jurisdiction, and authority, constitutional language becomes an instrument of political interpretation rather than legal obligation. In Iraq’s post-2003 system, this distinction is decisive. Rights that are not operationalized through binding law are not merely delayed; they are reshaped by those with leverage. Administrative arrangements emerge through negotiation, security realities, and party influence rather than constitutional intent. In disputed territories such as the Nineveh Plains, this means that any “implementation” of Article 125 will reflect existing power balances unless explicitly constrained by law. **This is why premature celebration is dangerous. A province declared without clear legal safeguards may appear to advance minority rights while, in practice, locking in dependency. Authority over budgets, appointments, security coordination, and land registration can all be retained externally while symbolic recognition is granted locally. Once institutionalized, such arrangements are exceedingly difficult to reverse.** For Assyrians, the lesson is straightforward: how Article 125 is implemented matters more than whether it is invoked. Without legislation that secures real administrative authority and locally accountable security, implementation risks formalizing vulnerability rather than ending it. Recent announcements by Assyrian members of parliament to reopen the Nineveh Plains province file have been welcomed by some as progress. Yet these representatives emerge from a quota system that defines identity through religion rather than indigeneity and detaches representation from land, history, and collective political authority. **More critically, their electoral success depended heavily on Kurdish party votes. This dependency is structural, not personal, and it constrains outcomes before negotiations even begin.** Assyrians have seen this pattern repeatedly: representation without authority, participation without power, and promises that dissolve when they challenge entrenched interests. ### **One People, Many Churches — A Call to Return** A people fragmented by religious labels is easier to administer than a nation unified by memory and claim. What could not be erased by force has too often been diluted through redefinition. Article 125 speaks of national components, not religious sects. Any future for the Nineveh Plains framed exclusively through denominational identity risks repeating the very logic that has already left Assyrians politically fragmented, administratively weak, and vulnerable to erasure. This is not a call to abandon faith. It is a call to return—to ourselves. To remember that Assyrian identity is a national identity that cannot be reduced to denominational affiliation, older than any modern label, and essential to survival in the homeland. Without a shared national consciousness, no administrative arrangement—no province, no promise—will be strong enough to protect what remains. **“Christian” is a religious label. It does not anchor political rights in land or history. It invites guardianship rather than self-rule. An Assyrian province asserts ownership. A Christian province invites supervision.** Such a structure would be easy to celebrate internationally while remaining administratively hollow and politically dependent—an efficient mechanism for quiet absorption rather than genuine autonomy. In practice, this pattern has consistently aligned with the Kurdish regional government’s long-standing objective of extending administrative and political influence over the Nineveh Plains without formal annexation. ### **What Self-Administration Must Mean** If a Nineveh Plains province is to represent justice rather than final dispossession, it must include: - Recognition of Assyrians as an indigenous people - Authority reporting to Baghdad, not Erbil - Locally accountable security - Control over land, education, and cultural policy - Safeguards against demographic manipulation Anything less is supervised decline. If Assyrians accept a “Christian province,” they may gain recognition—and lose their nation. If they insist on an Assyrian province grounded in real self-administration, they affirm what history, law, and justice already require. ### Turkey’s Assyrians are here to stay URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/turkeys-assyrians-are-here-to-stay/ Last updated: 2026-01-16T21:56:06.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Today, Midyat is a bustling, thriving hub. Turks from across the country visit the area: cafés, restaurants, hotels, and businesses flourish. Mardin, the gorgeous regional capital, where Arabic, Syriac, Kurdish, and some Turkish are heard in the shops, has astonishing cuisine, romantic lanes, and magnificent architecture. In its university, the ancient Christian Syriac language is taught (until recently, it was banned.)" *Read the full story in the link below.* [Turkey’s Christians are here to stayStephen Griffith returns to Tur Abdin and finds the Christian community thriving again![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-icon-180x180.png)Saturday 15 November 202514 November 2025![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/moragwen-20251110131745061_web.jpg)](https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/14-november/comment/opinion/turkey-s-christians-are-here-to-stay?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Ancient Assyrian Venture Capitalism and its Lessons for the Modern Economy URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ancient-assyrian-venture-capitalism-and-its-lessons-for-the-modern-economy/ Last updated: 2026-01-16T21:19:39.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "But one of these clues offers a remarkably detailed picture of economic life in an Assyrian market town. As a recent feature in the New York times explains, archaeologists have discovered an uncharacteristically complete set of records kept by businessmen who ran importing enterprises in Kanesh, an ancient trading hub in what is now Turkey. Dating back to the 19th century BC, these records have allowed Assyriologists to construct an intimate and detailed portrait of the lives these traders led, and the socio-economic policies that shaped their businesses." *Read the full story in the link below:* [Ancient Venture Capitalism and its Lessons for the Modern EconomyThe Long Now Foundation fosters long-term thinking. Our work encourages imagination at the timescale of civilization — the next and last 10,000 years — a timespan we call the long now.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-3.svg)Long Now![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/30mag-30onmoney-t_CA1-master675.jpg)](https://longnow.org/ideas/ancient-venture-capitalism-and-its-lessons-for-the-modern-economy/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Mikael Ishak shines as joint top scorer in UEFA Conference League URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/mikael-ishak-shines-as-joint-top-scorer-in-uefa-conference-league/ Last updated: 2026-01-16T06:13:26.000Z **Leading the attack** for Polish champions Lech Poznań, Ishak has delivered decisive goals on the European stage, marking one of the most significant individual achievements by an Assyrian footballer in modern continental competition. Born in Sweden to Assyrian parents from Gozarto in Syrian Assyria, Ishak’s football journey began at Assyriska FF, the Assyrian-founded club in Södertälje, Sweden, that has long served as a pathway for Assyrian talent in Europe. It was there that he developed the foundations of his game, making his first-team debut in 2010 at just 17 years of age in Sweden’s second tier, the Superettan. In December 2011, after impressing in Sweden, Ishak signed with German Bundesliga side 1\. FC Köln following a successful trial. He made 19 appearances for the club before moving to Italy in August 2013, signing for Parma in Serie A after a brief loan spell at Swiss club FC St. Gallen. His career continued across Europe with Randers FC in Denmark, where he established himself as a reliable striker in the Danish Superliga, before taking the next step to 1\. FC Nürnberg in Germany. Competing in both the Bundesliga and 2\. Bundesliga, Ishak gained valuable experience in one of Europe’s most demanding football environments. ### **Success at Lech Poznań** Ishak’s career reached new heights following his move to Lech Poznań in 2020\. Quickly becoming a central figure at the club, he was later appointed captain, a testament to his leadership and professionalism. During his tenure, Lech Poznań secured the Ekstraklasa title, with Ishak continuing to deliver consistently at the highest level both domestically and in European competition. He is currently the second all-time top goalscorer in Lech Poznań’s history, and the top foreign goal scorer, firmly establishing himself as a fan favourite. ### **International Success with Sweden** Alongside his club achievements, Ishak has represented Sweden on the international stage. He was part of Sweden’s Under-21 side that won the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, one of the nation’s greatest youth football achievements. He also represented Sweden at the 2016 Olympic Games, scoring against Colombia in a 2–2 draw. Ishak later earned caps for the Swedish senior national team, further underlining the level he has reached throughout a career defined by perseverance and consistency. He joins Jimmy Durmaz and Nahir Besara as two other Assyrians who have represented Sweden in international football. ### How the World’s Oldest Library Survived an Empire’s Fall URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/how-the-worlds-oldest-library-survived-an-empires-fall/ Last updated: 2026-01-15T20:33:44.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "The Library of Ashurbanipal was to the ancient Greeks and Romans what the Library of Alexandria is to us today: a lost archive of unparalleled, almost mythical proportions. Ashurbanipal collected texts on every subject, from astronomy to medicine. Since the library’s initial discovery in the 19th century, archaeologists have uncovered dictionaries, historical treatises, and prayers, to name just a few examples. Also included in the ruler’s collection was a translation of the epic of Gilgamesh, the legendary Sumerian king who slays monsters and searches in vain for immortality." *Read the full story* [*here*](https://news.artnet.com/art-world/huge-library-of-ashurbanipal-2709162?ref=assyriapost.com)*.* ### Kurdish leader threatens: "Chaos and civil war will begin in Syria" URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-leader-threatens-chaos-and-civil-war-will-begin-in-syria/ Last updated: 2026-01-15T06:04:55.000Z **Speaking to the** Kurdish news agency Mezopotamya Agency, Muslim is quoted as saying that *“if this agreement breaks, chaos and civil war will begin in Syria,”* in reference to the March 10 agreement between the Kurdish party and Damascus, warning that *“if it becomes a civil war, it will be a great harm for all of Syria.”* Muslim’s words follow the ousting of his group from two districts in Aleppo earlier this month by forces of the government in Damascus. The swift military success of the Damascus government has rattled the Kurdish group, which had vowed to fight until the end to keep control of the districts, but later agreed to evacuate its fighters after suffering heavy losses. ### **“Assyrians are with us”** He went on to claim that the group has the support of all Assyrians in northeast Syria, stating: *“Kurds, Arabs, and Assyrians in Rojava all called for unity. Peoples and faiths took a clear stance. All said they are behind the SDF.”* in reference to the “Syrian Democratic Forces,” a military group which poses as an inclusive force but is ultimately controlled by the Kurdish PYD party in its attempt to carve out a Kurdish controlled enclave in the region Assyrians call Gozarto. [Assyrians and Kurds clash for first time in north SyriaSeveral fighters killed in clashes prompted by Assyrians’ move to set up checkpoints in Qamishli in fear of ISIL.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon_aje.ico)Al JazeeraDiana Al Rifai![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/c5c0bdeda9c34fcdb84694c055f20a07_18.jpeg)](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/1/12/assyrians-and-kurds-clash-for-first-time-in-north-syria?ref=assyriapost.com) Muslims words go against well-documented local Assyrian opposition to the PYD apparatus and its militia, following its extensive oppression of Assyrians. Among the many accusations, the PYD and its militia are documented to have murdered David Jendo, an Assyrian military commander and leader of the Assyrian Khabur Guards, who was killed on 22 April 2015\. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/01/David-Jendo.png) Assyrian leader David Jendo. Jendo was assassinated by members of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia in northeastern Syria for refusing to put his force under YPG command. In the same attack, his colleague Elias Nasser was severely injured but survived and later revealed the identity of the perpetrators. [Kurdish group renews attempt to impose curriculum on Assyrian schools in Syria’s Gozarto RegionThe Kurdish group in control of the Gozarto Region is seeking to once again impose a new curriculum on Assyrian schools.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-60.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-12-at-23.47.48-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-group-renews-attempt-to-impose-curriculum-on-assyrian-schools-in-syrias-gozarto-region/) Assyrian groups have documented many instances of attacks by the Kurdish group against local Assyrian leaders and journalists, including continued attempts to shut down Assyrian schools in the region and enforce a Kurdish school curriculum praising the Kurdish group’s imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, while introducing historical revisionism of the area’s Assyrian history in favor of a Kurdish narrative. [Inside the Kurdish textbooks rejected by Assyrian SchoolsThe Kurdish group ruling the Gozarto Region claims its new textbooks aim to undo decades of Arabification. A closer look reveals they merely replace it with Kurdification.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-61.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-11-06-at-23.17.38-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/inside-the-kurdish-textbooks-rejected-by-assyrian-schools/) ### A Conversation Across Time: Assyria, Greece, and the Art of Michael Rakowitz URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/a-conversation-across-time-assyria-greece-and-the-art-of-michael-rakowitz/ Last updated: 2026-01-14T23:20:13.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Set within the Museum’s Temporary Exhibition Gallery, *Allspice* initiates a conversation between civilizations separated by millennia but united by shared themes of displacement, loss, and cultural resilience. Ancient relics from the University of Chicago’s Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures and the Thanos N. Zintilis Collection of Cypriot Antiquities at the Museum of Cycladic Art stand alongside Rakowitz’s poignant reconstructions of destroyed Assyrian masterpieces." *Read the full story in the link below:* [A Conversation Across Time: Assyria, Greece, and the Art of Michael Rakowitz - tovima.comThe Acropolis Museum’s recently inaugurated exhibition traces stories of survival, identity, and restitution![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-5.png)tovima.comNewsroom![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/246A8556-scaled.jpg)](https://www.tovima.com/culture/a-conversation-across-time-assyria-greece-and-the-art-of-michael-rakowitz/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Melbourne's Assyrian school project faces delays and uncertainty URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/melbournes-assyrian-school-project-faces-delays-and-uncertainty/ Last updated: 2026-01-14T06:18:46.000Z **In 2024, the Victorian** state government rejected plans for St Joseph’s Christian College, a proposed Assyrian Christian school intended to serve the concentrated Assyrian population in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. The decision came despite widespread backing from Assyrian community leaders, religious authorities, opposition MPs, a federal minister, and thousands of petition signatories. The original proposal, led by Assyrian Christian Schools Ltd, an entity of the Assyrian Church of the East, outlined a K-12 school for up to 825 students, designed to meet both educational demand and the cultural and spiritual needs of the Assyrian community. The project was blocked by the Department of Transport and Planning, reportedly due to traffic safety concerns. The church appealed the ruling to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) but ultimately lost, incurring significant legal and planning costs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-13-at-21.43.06.png) Original plans for the St Joseph Assyrian Christian College The rejection was widely criticised as contradictory, particularly as the state government simultaneously fast-tracked major housing developments in the area, including the Craigieburn West precinct, which will add around 8,000 new homes without corresponding education infrastructure. ### Parliament Petition Highlights Community Support Public frustration culminated in a petition of nearly 5,000 signatures being formally tabled in the Victorian Parliament, triggering debate and placing the issue on the parliamentary record. The petition called on the government to support the establishment of an Assyrian school in Melbourne’s north, reflecting widespread concern about the lack of planning for schools in high-growth areas and the treatment of the Assyrian community’s proposal. Opposition MPs described the government’s refusal to approve the school as “bizarre,” particularly given the clear demand and the state’s responsibility to plan essential infrastructure alongside population growth. ### New Site Proposal Sparks Further Controversy In mid-2025, hopes were briefly revived when the state government informally proposed a new potential site at 3 Kosciuszko Drive, Craigieburn, part of the Mt Aitken (Aitken Hill) Reserve. However, Hume City Council later advised that the land sits within a protected public park and is not suitable for development. Councillors said they were not consulted before the site was raised with the Assyrian community, creating what they described as false hope. Hundreds of Assyrian-Australians packed the council chambers, urging transparency and a genuine commitment to finding a viable solution. Community members spoke about the importance of education in preserving Assyrian identity, language, and culture, particularly for a people who have endured genocide, displacement, and persecution in their ancestral Assyrian homeland divided between Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran. The Assyrian language is recognised by UNESCO as endangered, making educational institutions critical to its survival. Assyrian Church of the East Bishop of Victoria and New Zealand, Mar Benjamin Elya, reiterated that the proposed school is not solely for the Assyrian community, but would serve the broader population, contributing to education, cultural continuity, and social cohesion. At the same time, residents and environmental groups objected strongly to the use of parkland, arguing that Mt Aitken Reserve should be protected for open space, conservation, and its cultural significance to First Peoples. ### A Proven Model Already Exists in Sydney The prolonged uncertainty in Victoria stands in contrast to New South Wales, where Assyrian schools are already operating successfully. St Hurmizd Assyrian Primary School and St Narsai Assyrian Christian College together cater for students from Kindergarten to Year 12 and serve not only as places of learning but as bridges between heritage and civic life, educating students while contributing positively to the broader Australian society. The construction of a third Assyrian Christian school, St Yosip Secondary School, is currently underway in Sydney's Western suburbs. [New K–12 school to serve Sydney’s growing Assyrian communityA new K–12 Assyrian school will soon open to serve the growing community in western Sydney, becoming the third Assyrian-operated school in Australia.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-59.png)The Assyria PostBarseen Oshana![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-28-at-23.21.19-1-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/new-k-12-school-to-serve-sydneys-growing-assyrian-community/) ### The Assyrian roots of Aleppo's Kurdified districts URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-assyrian-roots-of-aleppos-kurdified-districts/ Last updated: 2026-01-14T08:10:01.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. **"The two neighborhoods** that have become known as Kurdish in recent years were, 50 years ago, little more than small residential clusters inhabited by a limited number of poor Christians, mainly Assyrians and Armenians. Over time, people from the northern and eastern countryside of Aleppo, including residents of Afrin, Jandaris and Ain al-Arab (Kobani), moved there in search of better opportunities in the city, drawn by relatively affordable living costs and proximity to industrial zones. What led many to label the neighborhoods as Kurdish was the rare and unprecedented concentration of Kurds in one area of Aleppo. Until the 1970s, Aleppans knew Sheikh Maqsoud as Jabal al-Sayyida, named after the Virgin Mary. After a mosque bearing the name of a Kurdish Sufi sheikh, Sheikh Maqsoud, was built at the site where Kurds had begun to gather, the new name became widely used. The neighboring Ashrafieh district emerged around the same time as an unplanned extension of the Assyrian Christian quarter." *Read the full story in the link below:* [From ‘Jabal al-Sayyida’ to ‘Sheikh Maqsoud,’ Ashrafieh’s Syriac RootsAqil Hussein, a Syrian activist and journalist from Aleppo, reflects on his ties to the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, now the scene of fighting in and around them between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government. He was involved in the civil protest movement that erupted with the Syrian uprising in March 2011 and reported from the ground, particularly in the eastern districts of the city, which later came under intense bombardment and suffered widespread destruction at the hands of forces loyal to then president Bashar al-Assad.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-new.png)الشرق الأوسطAsharq Al Awsat![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/1333815_0.jpeg.webp)](https://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5227862-%E2%80%98jabal-al-sayyida%E2%80%99-%E2%80%98sheikh-maqsoud%E2%80%99-ashrafieh%E2%80%99s-syriac-roots?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) ### Assyrian altar in Jerusalem unveiled for first time in 350 years URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-altar-in-jerusalem-unveiled-for-first-time-in-350-years/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T23:46:58.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. **"It was unveiled** in front of members of the community and diplomats after two years of work by a team of Mexican restoration experts from the María Visión Mexican Catholic TV channel. Archbishop Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, the Syriac Orthodox patriarchal vicar for Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, said the completion of the work by the five-man team was nothing short of a miracle and included an eight-month break following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israeli communities and the ensuing two-year war. According to Syriac Orthodox tradition, the monastery is the site of the house of Mark, where Jesus instructed Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal and is believed to be the location of the Upper Room where the Last Supper, washing of the disciples’ feet, post-Resurrection appearances, and Pentecost occurred, strengthening the first church, he noted." *Read the full story in the link below.* [Historic altar at St. Mark’s monastery in Jerusalem unveiled for first time in 350 years“Today we inaugurate a historical wooden structure that is far more than an artistic masterpiece,” Archbishop Yakoub said.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-OSV-News-1080x1080-circle-for-favicon-180x180.png)OSV NewsJudith Sudilovsky![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/useupTOP20260113T1049-ST-MARK-HOLY-LAND-18111601.jpg)](https://www.osvnews.com/historic-altar-at-st-marks-monastery-in-jerusalem-unveiled-for-first-time-in-350-years/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### New Assyrian fonts released for modern digital use URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/new-assyrian-fonts-released-for-modern-digital-use/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T06:05:05.000Z **Developed by Spark** Soft Systems, the newly released fonts are said to focus on "clean readability, modern aesthetics, and full Unicode compatibility", making them suitable for websites, publications, educational materials, and graphic design. The fonts support contemporary digital environments while respecting the visual character of the Assyrian script. ### Ramsina and Idiqlat: Two new fonts for East Assyrian script style The developers have named one of the new fonts Ramsina, describing it as a "carefully crafted revival of metal type originally cut in India around 1920, faithfully preserving its historical character while meeting modern typographic standards." The other font has been named Idiqlat, with the developers writing that it has "undergone substantial redesign to modernize its appearance and optimize performance for contemporary web and mobile environments", adding that the typeface has been "rescaled to align with standard point sizes used in modern fonts and is offered in multiple weights to support a wide range of typographic needs." The original design of both fonts, created by Esho Marcus has been enhanced with advanced OpenType features developed by Dr Sargon Hasso, Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at the Illinois Institute of Technology. The project was made possible through close collaboration with the SIL Writing Systems Technology group, according to the announcement on the website of Spark Soft Systems. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/01/Font-example-2.png) Photo: Spark Soft Systems ### Fine-grained typographic control These font include advanced OpenType features that enable access to stylistic sets and alternate glyph variants in supported desktop publishing and word-processing applications, including Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word, and LibreOffice Writer. These features provide fine-grained typographic control and support script-specific variants, such as alternate *taw–alap* forms in Syriac. Where supported by the application, stylistic alternates can be selected via the OpenType or font feature controls, allowing users to apply contextual, historical, or orthographic variants appropriate to editorial or scholarly requirements. According to the developers, the fonts were designed to work smoothly across operating systems and applications, addressing long-standing issues Assyrian users face when working with Assyrian text in modern software. The release adds to the still-limited pool of high-quality Assyrian fonts available for professional use. The collection is aimed not only at native language users, but also at institutions, churches, cultural organizations, and media outlets seeking consistent and reliable Assyrian typography. The first Assyrian computer fonts appeared in the mid-1980s, created for early personal computers before Unicode standards existed. These pioneering fonts laid the groundwork for Assyrian's inclusion in modern computing systems and eventually in Unicode, allowing Assyrian to be written, shared, and preserved digitally. Today’s modern fonts build on that legacy, ensuring the ancient script continues to evolve in the digital age. The fonts are available online and can be previewed and downloaded directly from Spark Soft Systems’ [website](https://sparksoftsystems.com/modern-assyrian-fonts/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPKbANleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA3TlludGJiNHNUWlB6bnhVc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlE6%5FL5sN-34FXDkOV8gn5Haa4FsgmiC90xm4BwgiDGfHbTVLIZKaUNaqE78%5Faem%5FMJ3ZVObDqQtbBFsAjY7f5Q&ref=assyriapost.com). ### Assyrian news publication The Word shuts down after 5 years URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-news-publication-the-word-shuts-down-after-5-years/ Last updated: 2026-01-12T23:02:25.000Z **In an Instagram** post on January 11th, independent Assyrian news publication "The Word" announced their ceasing of operations. The message was subsequently posted on The Word's [website](https://www.thewordmideast.com/news/the-word-to-cease-operations-letter-from-the-editor?ref=assyriapost.com). In the announcement, independent Assyrian journalist Yasmeen Altaji, who was The Word's founder and editor, stated that "In its time, The Word covered hundreds of stories across formats and geographies for thousands of readers. From breaking urgent news out of Iraq and Syria to reporting local art and culture across the Assyrian diaspora, this coverage would not have been possible without those willing to share their stories and those who turned to our platform to read, watch and listen to them. We’re deeply grateful." > **"Thank you for being part of this chapter of independent Assyrian journalism"** The statement does not give any reasons as to the reason for the shutdown. "To members of our community who have followed The Word since its inception and to those who joined later on: Thank you for being part of this chapter of independent Assyrian journalism", the message concluded. The Word was founded on January 11th, 2021 on the initiative of Altaji. The news [publication](https://www.thewordmideast.com/about?ref=assyriapost.com) focused exclusively on Assyrian news, highlighting political and community developments. The Word also hosted a podcast known as ["The Weekly,"](https://www.thewordmideast.com/episodes?ref=assyriapost.com) a podcast delivering news in a spoken format. After Episode 220 on 10 April 2025, Altaji stated that The Weekly would be going on a short break, with no activity for the rest of the year. Altaji is a multimedia [journalist](https://www.yasmeenaltaji.com/?ref=assyriapost.com) reporting on politics, policy, and culture of the Middle East and North Africa. Having earned her M.A. in Journalism with a concentration on Politics from Columbia University, she currently works as a podcast producer for The National News. Per Altaji's announcement, all work previously published on The Word will remain accessible in an archived status. The lack of sufficient revenues and financial support has forced several Assyrian news outlets to shut down over the years, among them Zindamagazine and Assyrian National Broadcasting (ANB Sat), which shut down its satellite broadcasting and remains only as a [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/AssyrianNationalBroadcasting). ### The Assyrians of South West Asia: Modern people, ancient past URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-assyrians-of-south-west-asia-modern-people-ancient-past/ Last updated: 2026-01-11T23:42:59.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "In addition, Assyrian Christianity exhibits ancient elements unique to this community and links to its ancient heritage, including the Rogation of the Ninevites, during which members of the community fast for three days commemorating the repentance of the Ninevites at the hands of the prophet Jonah according to the Bible. Another celebration is the day of Nusardel (Feast of God), usually celebrated in Tammuz (July). Following the holy mass, members of the community throw water at each other to cleanse God's path. This tradition most likely originates in the ancient Assyrian and Mesopotamian rituals, such as those of the New Year. These and other rituals have been celebrated in Assyrian villages and towns for centuries and everywhere they live today." *Click on the link below to read the entire article:* [The Assyrians of South West Asia: Modern People, Ancient Past | Ancient Near Eastern Empires | University of HelsinkiANEE publishes a series of blog posts on decolonization of the ancient Near East, produced in cooperation with Finnish Institute in the Middle East.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/favicon-11.ico)University of HelsinkiHelen Malko![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/malko-20img3.jpg)](https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/ancient-near-eastern-empires/news/the-assyrians-of-south-west-asia-modern-people-ancient-past?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Journey back over 2,600 years as we visit the Assyrian capital city of Nineveh URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/journey-back-over-2-600-years-as-we-visit-the-assyrian-capital-city-of-nineveh/ Last updated: 2026-01-11T23:37:24.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Getting around: While Nineveh is huge, it is still possible to reach most destinations on foot. Should you wish to travel by donkey or mule, there are numerous rental places throughout the city. Nineveh and its surrounding area is famous for its network of canals so make sure you take a ride in a *guppu* boat or one of the local gondolas." *Click* [*here*](https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/historical-city-travel-guide-nineveh-7th-century-bc?ref=assyriapost.com) *to read the full story.* ### Why I used sheep entrails to predict the Trump era URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/why-i-used-sheep-entrails-to-predict-the-trump-era/ Last updated: 2026-01-11T23:32:59.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Wisnom argues that reading the literature is not enough: "There are all kinds of things you can understand better if you try it than if you just read about it,' she says – an assertion that any teacher of ovine anatomy would second. She chose political prediction because in Assyria divination was a vital political tool. 'They would ask things like, "Is there going to be a rebellion in the south? Is the chief eunuch going to take the throne?" *Read the full article here:* [Heritage: Assyrian omens | University of OxfordPredicting Donald Trump’s presidency via sheep entrails![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-144x144.png)Home HomeDr Selena Wisnom![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/her_banner_lion.jpg)](https://www.ox.ac.uk/oxford-heritage-projects/assyrian-omens?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Palace art of ancient Assyria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/curated-stories-palace-art-of-ancient-assyria/ Last updated: 2026-01-11T23:29:00.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "In the period of the Assyrian Empire, the capital moved successively to Kalhu (Nimrud), Dur-Sharrukin (Khorsabad), and finally—the grandest city of all—Nineveh. At each of these sites the kings built palaces to glorify their reigns, adorning the walls with superbly carved reliefs in gypsum and limestone. The scenes, which were originally brightly painted, presented an idealized image of the ruler through vivid depictions of battles, rituals, mythological creatures, hunting, building works, and court life." *Click on the link below to read the story:* [The Getty MuseumAssyrian kings in the ninth to seventh centuries BC decorated their palaces with masterful relief sculptures that represent a high point of Mesopotamian art, both for their artistic quality and sophistication and for their vivid depictions of warfare, rituals, mythology, hunting, and other aspects of Assyrian court life.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/getty_logo_favicon.png)Getty Museum![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/banner_x2048.jpg)](https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/assyria/inner.html?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Nomadic Niko explores Tur Abdin URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/curated-stories-nomad-nic-explores-tur-abdin/ Last updated: 2026-01-12T07:40:27.000Z ****Editor's pick** This post is part of hand-picked stories from across the web, curated by the editors of the Assyria Post. "Before the Assyrian Genocide, there were over 100 villages populated by Syriacs and 70 active monasteries. By 1999, only 10% of the original 50,000 Assyrians in Midyat and the Tur Abdin remained, and the number of villages has dwindled to around 30\. Most of the monasteries are now inactive. On a trip to the region, we were fortunate to visit three monasteries. I’ve written about each below and hope to return to see more of the others." *Click on the link below to read the full story:* [Tur Abdin & Syriac Orthodox Monasteries in Southeastern TurkeyThe Tur Abdin is a region in Southeastern Anatolia known for its Syriac Orthodox monasteries. It surrounds the town of Midyat.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-1000_F_291581254_vjYwu6jURmWYxJzVmDAMOftWIjEl2sHn-4.jpg)Nomadic Nikonomadicniko![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_7041-4.jpg)](https://nomadicniko.com/turkey/tur-abdin/?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Ceremony for Simele memorial overshadowed by Kurdish plans to take more Assyrian lands URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ceremony-for-simele-memorial-overshadowed-by-kurdish-plans-to-take-more-assyrian-lands/ Last updated: 2026-01-11T00:54:44.000Z **Assyrian representatives and** officials from the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) held a ceremony on January 4 for the laying of the foundation stone for a memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1933 Simele massacre in which thousands of Assyrians were murdered. The ceremony, however, was quickly overshadowed by chauvinistic remarks made by a Kurdish official, as well as reports of a KRG plan to confiscate a vast area of Assyrian-owned land in the nearby village of Bakhtme. Speaking at the ceremony, the Kurdish Governor of Duhok, Ali Tatar, described the Assyrians who perished in the Simele massacre as martyrs of the land of the Kurds. His statement sparked widespread anger among Assyrian commentators.Khlapeel Benjamin, an Assyrian journalist and political activist based in northern Iraq’s Assyrian region, commented: “What happened today was not an honoring of our most sacred cause, the Simele Massacre, but a cheap attempt to stone it and bury it beneath the dirt of political courtesies, silencing the voices of the victims’ descendants with a monument devoid of recognition.” He added: “We are not ‘Koerdestanis’, this is a political term imposed upon us. We are Assyrians: a people with a cause, a people of the land, and a people whose blood has not dried.” Assyrian researcher and writer Max J. Joseph commented: "Assyrians have become so politically disempowered, even our martyrs are easily appropriated into another national story by those actively erasing our history and existence." The absence of the main Assyrian political party, the Assyrian Democratic Movement, from the ceremony also drew attention. Assyrian author and researcher Frederick Aprim questioned the religious framing of the event, where church officials took center stage, asking: “Is the Simele Massacre an Assyrian national issue or a church-denomination matter under the auspices of the partial perpetrators, the Kurds?” His comment referred to the fact that Kurds participated in the massacre. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/01/Bakhetme-map-2.png) ### “Giving crumbs with one hand and stealing loaves with the other” News of plans by the Kurdish Regional Government to seize large swaths of land belonging to the Assyrian village of Bakhtme, located just a few kilometers south of Simele, cast another shadow over the ceremony. Several Assyrian commentators pointed to what they described as a double play by the KRG: donating a small plot of land for a memorial while simultaneously advancing plans to confiscate a much larger area of Assyrian-owned land. [Groups warn of new Kurdish land grab in Assyrian village of BakhetmeAssyrian political parties are sounding the alarm over Kurdish plans to grab land areas belonging to the Assyrian village of Bakhetme in Northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-56.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Bakhetme-Barzani-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/groups-warn-of-new-kurdish-land-grab-in-assyrian-village-of-bakhetme/) According to Assyrian analysts, the timing of the stone-laying ceremony and the emergence of news about the pending land seizure in Bakhtme is not coincidental. They argue that this reflects a familiar political maneuver – diverting attention from an ongoing transgression by promoting a gesture framed as positive or symbolic. Kurdish media outlets, meanwhile, published favorable coverage of the ceremony but have so far remained silent on the reported plans to confiscate Assyrian land. The symbolism has not gone unnoticed as Bakhtme was originally settled by Assyrians who fled in the aftermath of the Simele massacre. “It is tragicomic,” noted Augar Dashto, an older Assyrian with origins from Bakhtme now living in Australia, “that they intend to seize land from a village whose people are descendants of those who were displaced by Simele, while simultaneously using a planned memorial for the same massacre to boast of so-called tolerance.” The Simele massacre refers to the killing of thousands of Assyrians by the Iraqi army and local Kurds in August 1933, primarily in the town of Simele and surrounding Assyrian villages in northern Iraq's Assyrian region. The killings followed years of anti-Assyrian actions by Arabs and Kurds in the newly formed state of Iraq and following the ending of the British mandate. [KRG exploits visit of Assyrians in PR blitz amid land grabs, discrimination accusationsAssyrian-American activist Sam Darmo insists his visit to Northern Iraq will bring tangible benefits to the Assyrian people. Yet critics argue that the true beneficiaries are not the oppressed, but their oppressors.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-57.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-17-at-13.32.14-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/krg-exploits-visit-of-assyrians-in-pr-blitz-amid-land-grabs-discrimination-accusations/) ### Assyrian-American Giovanni El-Hadi declares for 2026 NFL draft URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-american-giovanni-el-hadi-declares-for-2026-nfl-draft/ Last updated: 2026-01-10T09:03:01.000Z **The towering 6-foot-5**, 315-pound guard has announced his intention to leave Ann Arbor and pursue his lifelong dream of playing in the National Football League, bringing pride not only to the Wolverine program but to the Assyrian community across the United States and worldwide. El-Hadi is of Assyrian and Lebanese heritage, hailing from Sterling Heights where a large population of Assyrians from the Chaldean Catholic Church reside. A graduate student and veteran presence on Michigan’s offensive line, El-Hadi . developed into one of the Wolverines most reliable interior linemen, earning four varsity letters (2021–2024) while appearing in 51 games, including 43 on the offensive line with 24 career starts. He was part of Michigan’s Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line in 2022, received multiple All-Big Ten selections, and was named a co-recipient of the Dierdorf-Hutchinson Award, awarded annually to the Wolverines’ top offensive lineman. In the 2024 season, El-Hadi started all 13 games at right guard, anchoring an offensive unit that ranked among the nation’s best. If selected in the draft or signed as an undrafted free agent, he would become only the second Assyrian player to reach the NFL, following in the footsteps of former standout guard and linebacker Alex Agase, a College Football Hall of Famer and former coach at the Michigan Wolverines. A former four-star recruit and Under Armour All-American, El-Hadi enters the 2026 NFL Draft with a resume defined by durability, high-level competition, and championship experience. ### Nineveh governorate set to reconstruct more churches destroyed by ISIS URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/nineveh-governorate-set-to-reconstruct-more-churches-destroyed-by-isis/ Last updated: 2026-01-09T07:44:22.000Z **In a recent ceremony**, Nineveh governor Abdulqadir al-Dakhil [](https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/050220241?ref=assyriapost.com)announced the beginning of rehabilitations of the Sacred Heart Church of Tel Keppe, one of the main towns of the Nineveh Plain Region. The announcement took place during a ceremony attended by Assyrian villagers and laymen in Tel Kepe. The Sacred Heart Church is one of many churches to have been overrun by jihadists when ISIS controlled the Nineveh Plain beginning in the summer of 2014\. Pictures have surfaced of the flag of IS perched onto the exterior of the church, and its historic cross torn down, while the town was under its control. After IS was defeated and banished from the Nineveh Plain, the church continued to remain in disarray. It is estimated in a report by the Assyrian Policy Institute that only 7% of Tel Kepe's original population remained in 2021\. The reconstruction is expected to significantly impact the livelihood of Assyrians who still live in Tel Kepe, and reflect positively on other villages and towns in the Nineveh Plains region. In addition, the Governor recently received the Superior General of the Chaldean Antonian Hormizdian Order and the overseer of its endowments, Bishop Dr. Samer Sourisho, along with a delegation from the Chaldean Community Foundation's Iraq Office. During the meeting the governor affirmed that the local government will begin the executive work to reconstruct the Church of the Monastery of Mar Gorgis during the coming month of April. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/01/Gorgis-church.jpg) The Mar Gorgis Monastery after the damages caused by the Islamic State, IS. Since the defeat of ISIS, only a limited number of Assyrian Christian sites in Mosul and the Nineveh Plain Region have been reconstructed. Major landmarks such as Al-Tahera Church and Al-Saa’a Church in Mosul have been restored under UNESCO’s “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative, while St. George’s Monastery has also been rebuilt. In contrast, many village churches across the Nineveh Plain remain damaged or in ruins, highlighting the slow and uneven pace of post-ISIS reconstruction. ### Belgian MP Sam van Rooy: “If we want to protect Christianity, we have to close our borders” URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/belgian-mp-sam-van-rooy-if-we-want-to-protect-christianity-we-have-to-close-our-borders/ Last updated: 2026-01-11T16:23:11.000Z **Sam Van Rooy**, a representative of the Belgian Flemish patriotic party Vlaams Belang, argued that Europe is facing a civilizational crisis and failing both its own Christian heritage and persecuted Christian minorities abroad. “If you want to protect our culture, if you want to protect Christians, if you want to protect Christianity, we definitely have to close our borders, or we will become like the Middle East.” Van Rooy, who has been active in Flemish politics for over a decade, was first elected to parliament in 2019 and has since focused on issues related to migration, national identity, foreign policy, and freedom of expression. In the [interview](https://fb.watch/Eu1myS7VFg/?ref=assyriapost.com) Van Rooy framed mass Muslim immigration as an existential threat to Europe’s Christian identity, drawing parallels with the decline of Christianity in the Middle East. He argued that Europe risks repeating the same trajectory if it does not act decisively. “Christianity is unfortunately disappearing there already, for many decades, centuries actually. And if we don’t want that to happen here, we have to close our borders for Muslim immigration.” Turning to the Middle East, Van Rooy acknowledged the precarious situation facing Assyrians in Iraq and Syria, noting that many wish to return but fear for their safety. “Many Assyrians want to return home, but they’re scared to go back.” He placed much of the blame on Western and European foreign policy, which he said consistently supports or appeases Islamist regimes while ignoring indigenous Christian communities. “Europe is always supporting the wrong groups, the wrong regimes. They appease Islamic regimes like Erdogan or the ayatollahs in Iran, but they never really care about the Assyrian people.” He admitted that knowledge about Assyrians among European politicians is extremely limited, including within the Belgian parliament: “If I would ask all members of parliament who the Assyrians are, at least 90 percent would not really know what I’m talking about.” Van Rooy partly attributed this invisibility to the Assyrian community’s low political profile, contrasting it with louder and more organized lobbying by Muslim communities. “You are calm people. You integrate. While Muslims make a lot of noise, have many demands, so politicians know about them.” ### "The Kurds are engaged in window dressing" Asked whether he supports an autonomous Assyrian region in Iraq's Nineveh Plain, Van Rooy responded: “Everything that could lead to protection for the Assyrian people, of course I support it. History has shown that if they don’t have a state of their own, they are in big danger.” He argued that genuine security would require Assyrians to have not only autonomy but also the means of self-defense: “A strong state of their own, with their own military, so they could protect themselves, that would be amazing”, he said. Addressing Kurdish-Assyrian tensions, Van Rooy acknowledged that Kurdish authorities are often portrayed positively in the West, masking abuses against Assyrians: “Not many people know that the Kurds are also not being good to Assyrians. They show democracy, but behind the scenes it’s window dressing.” [Groups warn of new Kurdish land grab in Assyrian village of BakhetmeAssyrian political parties are sounding the alarm over Kurdish plans to grab land areas belonging to the Assyrian village of Bakhetme in Northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-54.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Bakhetme-Barzani.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/groups-warn-of-new-kurdish-land-grab-in-assyrian-village-of-bakhetme/) He argued that Western governments are often naïve, accepting democratic rhetoric without examining realities on the ground: “The Islamic State says openly they want to kill you. Others say they support democracy and minorities, but they don’t do it.” On Europe’s ability to influence events, Van Rooy was pessimistic, describing Europe as a declining power with limited leverage, saying the power of Europe is "very limited, and declining very fast.” In his closing message, the Belgian MP urged Assyrians to have perseverance, visibility, and political engagement: “Don’t give up, be courageous and let your voice be heard.” [Kurdish militants close down Assyrian schools by force in Syria’s northeastThe Kurdish group in control of northeast Syria’s Gozarto Region has once again closed down Assyrian schools by force in an attempt to impose its own curriculum.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-55.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Assyrian-schools-3.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-militants-close-down-assyrian-schools-by-force-in-syrias-northeast/) ### Groups warn of new Kurdish land grab in Assyrian village of Bakhetme URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/groups-warn-of-new-kurdish-land-grab-in-assyrian-village-of-bakhetme/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T21:31:42.000Z **The Assyrian Democratic** Movement, the main political body representing Assyrians in Iraq, has sounded the alarm together with other Assyrian organizations, over plans by the Kurdish administration to seize lands belonging to the Assyrian village of Bakhetme. In a joint [statement](https://zowaa.org/%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B5-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B6%D9%8A-%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA%D9%85%D9%8A/?ref=assyriapost.com) issued on the 4th of January 2026, the ADM warns that agricultural lands in Bakhetme, located in the Northern Iraq's Dohuk governorate, is at risk of confiscation by the local Kurdish regime. According to the statement, information has emerged indicating plans to seize more than 1,500 dunams of land (equivalent to 370 acres, or 210 soccer fields) belonging to the local Assyrian villagers, with the intention of distributing the land as residential plots to members of the Peshmerga and Kurdish government employees. If implemented, the measure would constitute a serious violation of property rights and pose an existential threat to the village’s demographic, cultural, and economic foundations, the statement said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/01/Bakhetme-map.png) Bakhetme is situated in the Simel district, in Northern Iraq's historical Assyria region. ### **A History of Forced Seizure** The lands in question were originally confiscated by the former Iraqi regime in 1983, when they were forcibly expropriated and converted into a military camp. At the time, the residents of Bakhetme rejected the compensation offered by the regime, refusing to legitimize the seizure of their ancestral lands. Following the withdrawal of the Ba’athist regime from areas north of the 36th parallel, Bakhetme’s residents returned to their land and resumed agricultural activities. Like hundreds of other cases across northern Iraq, lands previously seized for military purposes were, in principle, meant to be restored to their original owners. In practice, however, Bakhetme’s lands were never officially returned, leaving the village in a state of legal limbo. In 1995, the KRG Parliament issued a decision mandating the return of all lands confiscated under expropriation orders issued by the now-dissolved Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council. While this decision was implemented in many areas, particularly where the original landowners were Kurdish, the lands of Bakhetme remain excluded from this process. "This indicates discrimination in governmental handling of these files, or a double standard, as all lands on which the former regime established camps or used for military purposes were returned to their Kurdish owners, except for the lands of this village, which have remained suspended", the ADM statement said. ### **Threat of Demographic Change** Recent actions by the local municipality have intensified concerns. Villagers report attempts to reclassify the disputed lands in preparation for redistribution. Such a move would result in the confiscation of a substantial portion of Bakhetme’s territory and irreversibly alter the village’s demographic composition. The actions directly contradict the Iraqi Constitution and Law No. 5 of 2015, enacted by the KRG Parliament, which guarantees the protection of private property, mandates lawful procedures in land disputes, and explicitly prohibits demographic change under any pretext. The case of Bakhetme is not an isolated incident, but a reflection of a broader pattern facing Assyrians in the region controlled by Kurds since 1991\. It raises fundamental questions about equality before the law and the future of the indigenous Assyrian population. [Continued occupation of Assyrian lands in Northern Iraq, report saysAssyrians in Iraq continue to face the occupation of their lands and properties, according to the latest report from the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-53.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Assyria.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/continued-occupation-of-assyrian-lands-in-northern-iraq-report-says/) ### The Assyrian genocide as reported in the American press URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-assyrian-genocide-as-reported-in-the-american-press/ Last updated: 2026-01-15T23:36:17.000Z Historical American news reports about the Assyrian genocide of 1915 have been collected and published in a single volume by Armenian researcher Ara Ketibian. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Noor Matti honored as Assyria Post's 2025 Assyrian of the Year URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/noor-matti-honored-as-assyria-posts-2025-assyrian-of-the-year/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T21:06:40.000Z **The editorial team** of the Assyria Post has designated Noor Matti, co-founder of the [Shlama Foundation](https://www.shlama.org/?ref=assyriapost.com), as the magazine’s Assyrian of the Year for 2025. Matti is awarded for his unwavering commitment to improving lives in Assyria. Over the past eleven years, he has turned Shlama Foundation, the development organization he co-founded in 2014, into a major positive force. The foundation has implemented more than 300 projects worth over $2.5 million during this period. Through persistent commitment and a laser-sharp focus on helping as many as possible, he has navigated numerous hurdles and difficulties to earn the trust and support of key actors. While many give up when things get tough or eventually shift their focus to personal pursuits, Noor Matti’s commitment has remained consistent. As a leader, Noor Matti displays genuine humility and consistently seeks common ground, remaining focused on what matters most — strengthening our presence on the ground. His bias toward practical work and immediate action is an inspiration. When ISIS invaded the Nineveh Plain, he rushed to help fleeing Assyrians rather than becoming paralyzed or merely calling on others to intervene. It is undeniable that if more Assyrians had shared this mindset, our nation would be in a stronger position today. 0:00 /0:52 1× A video posted by Shlama Foundation in which Noor Matti tells the story of how it all began. For all of this, and for his genuine humility, he is awarded the Assyrian of the Year for 2025 by the Assyria Post. Below is a short interview the Post conducted with Matti upon informing him of the award. **AP: Congratulations! What are your thoughts about receiving this award?** NM: Thank you so much to the Assyria Post team. I am really lost for words. I don't live my life the way I do for any kind of personal recognition. I just want to help build our nation one block at a time. I’m truly honored and humbled to receive this recognition but this award is not just about me—it reflects the resilience, strength, and contributions of our people everywhere, including those who have been part of the Shlama Foundation's journey. Thank you to everyone who has supported, inspired, and believed in this journey. **AP: How would you describe your journey with the Shlama Foundation?** NM: It's hard to put 11 years into a short summary. However, I want to take this opportunity to name those who have put endless amounts of time and effort in order to make Shlama Foundation what it is today. These individuals have sacrificed a lot in order to serve our people. Without them, there is no Shlama Foundation. People see the accomplishments, but we hardly show the individuals behind all the work. The Assyrian nation should be thanking them, not me: current board members Evette Shahara, Gina Koki, Haitham Graish, Mark Mansoor, current volunteers Faris Jamma, Marilyn Dawdoka, Bahra Enwia, Omran Jabro, Sufian Jabro, Rodina Shlemon, Wameed Miriako, Maya Atallah, Anthony Zora, Faiz Yono, Alexander Anton, John Babi, Gilbert Dawod, Lynette Hacopian, Jessica Lahdow, Andrew Dakki, Ronita Bahri, solar engineers Amanda Razoky, Adera Jozeph, Ramy Asmaro and former board members Aessin Shikwana, John David, Ranna Abro, Chris Sesi, Raneen Qasha, and many other former volunteers. **AP: In the face of calamity, you chose to take practical action instead of just complain or wait for others to help our nation, how important is it for us to rely more on ourselves?** NM: Each Assyrian in this world is an asset to our nation. And each one can contribute to help build and sustain it. We are always happy to accept assistance from outside of the community, but one person can make a big impact in helping our people have a better future. The more people we have active, the more work output is generated. The Assyria Post is an excellent example - a small team of Assyrians decided to roll up their sleeves and get to work. And now, we can proudly say we have a leading English-based news source just like other nations. **AP: Shlama Foundation has so far only implemented projects in Iraqi Assyria, do you plan to also do projects in other parts of the Assyrian homeland?** NM: We did actually implement few projects in Syria (Gozarto) in 2019, however we faced obstacles and we unfortunately couldn't continue. We are now just starting to see if we can go back and try to help our communities there. It's a very challenging environment with its unique difficulties, but we hope we can put things together in order to do work there as well. **AP: We are often met with negative news from the Assyrian homeland, but what about the good news?** NM: As a person who lives in the homeland, I can't tell you the number of wins our nation has, but unfortunately they are never highlighted. Social media feeds show only negativity, and positive news is hardly posted. I hope the Assyria Post will help in changing this narrative and put the spotlight more on our nation's successes. For example, one young man from Karamles has built one of the most popular cafe chains in Iraq, and now has shops from the north to the south. Or how about another one from Baghdeda who created a delivery company called ''Thelan'' (we're coming) where they deliver items all over the country. It is not all sad and gloomy, we need to surround ourselves with positivity so that we are more encouraged to work for our nation. The Assyrian cause is not a losing cause - we are just getting started, and we will build great lives for our children and grandchildren. **AP: What is your message to Assyrians who might have lost hope for the future of our people back home?** NM: Our history has never been easy, yet we are still here. We have survived displacement, persecution, and attempts to erase us—and that itself is proof of our strength. Hope does not always mean immediate change; to me it means refusing to give up on who we are and put in work for a better future. Every effort to rebuild, educate, support our communities, and preserve our language and culture matters. The future of our people will be shaped by those who choose to stay engaged; whether in the homeland or in the diaspora. As long as we care, work, and stand together, our nation will only grow. ****The winner of the award is chosen based on the following criteria:** ٭ Has launched an initiative to contribute positively to the Assyrian nation. ٭ The initiative is broad in scope and benefits, or has the potential to benefit, many Assyrians. ٭ The initiative is mainly based on self-reliance, the idea that Assyrians should depend on their own strength rather than seek external support and validation. ٭ The initiative has already proven itself, is in existence, and has the potential to continue indefinitely. ### Assyrian revival through soccer URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-revival-through-soccer/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T20:55:23.000Z > **Why should we not seize this opportunity? Why should we sleep? No—we are awake. And we call upon all Assyrian brothers and sisters to awaken, so that we may unite and grow strong together.** **From time to** time, I meet people who ask me what our club’s slogan, “More Than Just Soccer,” really means. That question always reminds me of how our people are still, in many ways, asleep—and how Naum Faiq’s nearly 100-year-old poem *Awake, Son of Assyria* remains strikingly relevant in its meaning, urgency, and truth. If we apply Faiq’s message to our soccer team, we could truly revive and strengthen Assyrian identity all over the world. Naum Faiq was born in Diyarbakir in the Ottoman Empire—modern-day Turkey—in 1868 and passed away in New Jersey, USA, in 1930\. He was an Assyrian poet, journalist, and teacher who will always be remembered as a pioneer of unity among his people. Through his work, he encouraged Assyrians to come together, grow stronger, and advocate for their human rights, keeping the dream of a homeland alive. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2026/01/Assyriska-FF-2.png) The author, Moussa Esa, chairman of Assyriska FF. Faiq’s contributions to Assyrian literature and activism are honored every year on February 5 in Assyrian communities around the world. His love for his people is powerfully expressed in his short poem *“Awake, Son of Assyria, Awake”*—a poem that has adorned our match jerseys for the past two years. The poem was written to inspire and mobilize Assyrians, urging them to rise up and take control of their destiny. It is a patriotic call to awaken and protect Assyrian heritage. Let us reflect on this poem, written more than a century ago, and compare its message to modern life in 2025 for Assyrians around the world. The first line reads: ***“Awake, son of Assyria, awake and see the world how enlightened”*** This is a call to stop sleeping through life—to stop being consumed by social media, superficial stress, and distractions. Live your life, yes—but also seek purpose and meaning. Faiq urges us to wake up and recognize how modern the world has become and how many more opportunities we have today compared to our ancestors. ***“The chance is fleeing from us, and time is running out”*** Every passing day is a day lost. Soon, there may be no time left to save our heritage. With every generation, we lose something precious—names, language, faith, history, culture. Who will remain to preserve these? Who will fight for the recognition of the atrocities and genocides committed against us? **“In vengeance you will take refuge, rise up and band together to strengthen”** We have been driven from our homelands and scattered across the world. Our only path forward is unity—finding strength in our collective struggle to preserve what remains of our identity. If we succeed, we may finally achieve international recognition of the Assyrian Genocide of 1915, which nearly annihilated us, and perhaps even gain recognition as the indigenous people of the Middle East. The final lines of the poem serve as a warning: **“And if one does not awake, we have lost our chance; without purpose, misfortune will befall our land”** If we remain passive and continue to sleep, we will lose our chance for redemption. We will lose ourselves. Misfortune, in this sense, means that everything that once made us great—our ancestors’ struggles, our martyrs’ sacrifices, our nation’s legacy—will fade into oblivion. So what does this powerful message have to do with our soccer club? Should we not focus solely on sport, rather than politics or culture? I am asked these questions often—by Swedes and by fellow Assyrians alike. My answer is simple: every Assyrian, regardless of role or place in society, carries a responsibility to preserve and advocate for our identity. Each of us is responsible for both our history and our future. History, in the sense that we must never forget what our ancestors died for, never forget their sacrifices, never forget their names. And the future, in the sense that we must give coming generations something to be proud of—something solid to stand on. We must always remember the strength of our heritage. We founded one of the world’s first civilizations. We advanced science and law. We ruled empires. We were among the first followers of Christ. We survived genocide. We are the indigenous people of the Middle East. Why should we not proclaim this every day? Why should we ever forget? As the chairman of a soccer club that proudly carries the Assyrian flag, my natural role has been to infuse this identity wherever possible - on our website, on social media, and most importantly, on the field. I strive to make it visible in every way I can. This responsibility belongs to every Assyrian; I am no exception. That is why it feels natural to honor Naum Faiq’s message and manifest our language on our match jerseys—jerseys we have worn in more than 70 competitive matches during 2024 and 2025\. It is natural to engage with the cultural sphere by having our A-team participate in a *Gilgamesh* play for children. And it is most natural of all to honor our genocide by wearing a black armband reading “110 Years – We Will Never Forget Your Sacrifice,” sending a clear message to the Swedish government to recognize the genocide. So, is Assyriska FF more than just soccer? Of course it is. On football’s global stage, our people’s identity and struggle can finally be seen. Why should we not seize this opportunity? Why should we sleep? No—we are awake. And we call upon all Assyrian brothers and sisters to awaken, so that we may unite and grow strong together. In soccer terms, this year is especially significant—it is a World Cup year, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Many things divide us—denominations, geography, dialects, and church affiliations—but we can unite under our National Soccer Team of Assyria: Assyriska FF. Let us awaken, mobilize, and honor Naum Faiq’s words. Let us unite under one flag—for a people without a state of our own, but with a national team. A team that can place all Assyrians in the global spotlight, using soccer—the world’s universal language—on the world’s biggest stage. Let us make 2026 a year of awakening and revival for Assyrian identity. \[Editor's note: this text first appeared in Swedish on assyriska.se\] ### How Assyrians can navigate regional equations to advance their national objectives URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/how-assyrians-can-navigate-regional-equations-to-advance-their-national-objectives/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T20:05:01.000Z > **"The future of the occupied Assyrian homeland will be shaped by building a clear Assyrian political project grounded in a unifying national vision."** **The occupied Assyrian** homeland (in its Iraqi portion) represents one of the most sensitive areas in northern Iraq in terms of its geographic location, demographic composition, and deep political history. It forms a direct point of contact between Turkish and Iranian influence, making it an open arena of competition between two regional powers seeking to expand their spheres of influence inside Iraq. At the same time, it remains under the dominance of Kurdish political forces that have imposed their control over the land since the 1990s. Within this complex context, the following analysis examines the regional and local interaction environment by studying the nature of Kurdish relations with neighboring states, understanding the geopolitical interests of Turkey and Iran, and exploring the future of the occupied Assyrian homeland amid escalating regional competition and its impact on the Assyrian people and their historical rights. ### A contested space where competing forces clash The occupied Assyrian homeland emerges as a contested and highly complex geopolitical space due to its strategic location, which makes it a focal point where regional and international interests intersect. It forms a natural junction between Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Iran, and contains a network of trade routes and military corridors that grant it heightened importance in the national security calculations of these states. Beyond its geographic value, this homeland represents a deep historical and cultural core for the Assyrian people, who have preserved their presence there despite centuries of persecution, displacement policies, and attempts at erasing their identity. **Since 1991, this space has transformed into an actual zone of Kurdish influence, where Kurdish parties succeeded in imposing administrative and security control, benefiting from the collapse of central state authority and from the inability—or unwillingness—of Assyrian political parties to play an effective role, instead becoming tools within the Kurdish system of will and action. This Kurdish expansion, coupled with Assyrian weakness, was accompanied by deliberate demographic re-engineering through land appropriation and the imposition of educational curricula and a political identity that does not recognize the Assyrians as an Indigenous people, but rather seeks to forcibly integrate them into a national narrative unrelated to their history.** This complex reality has left the Assyrian presence trapped between three layers of power operating over their land without regard for their rights or interests: a Turkish regional power with clear expansionist ambitions; an Iranian regional power working to deepen its strategic reach inside Iraq; and a Kurdish power exercising actual occupation of the land and reshaping it to serve its political project. Within this overlap, the occupied Assyrian homeland becomes a contested space where competing forces clash while the Assyrian people pay the price for the absence of international protection and the lack of recognition of their historical rights. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Edward-Oraha-full-size-3.png) The author, Edward Oraha. Photo: private ### The Kurdish Occupier’s Interaction with Iraq’s Neighboring Powers Kurdish players deal with Turkey and Iran through a precise pragmatic logic based on what can be described as a “balance of necessity.” They lack the military or political capacity to confront either state directly, yet they understand that their continued existence and control over the land depend on their ability to maneuver between these two regional poles. Through this fragile balance, Kurdish players attempt to exploit Turkish–Iranian rivalry to strengthen their influence within the occupied Assyrian homeland and consolidate a political reality that serves their national project. ### The Turkish Dimension Turkey views Kurdish political forces as a direct security threat due to the affiliation of some factions with the PKK, a group against which Ankara has waged a decades-long conflict. Yet the relationship between the two sides is not entirely confrontational; it is marked by significant pragmatism. Kurdish presence rely on Turkey economically through border crossings, trade, and energy, while Turkey benefits from their presence as a geographic and political buffer preventing the emergence of a unified Kurdish entity along its southern border. This Turkish advantage is rooted in the fact that Kurdish authorities in Iraqi Assyria seek to monopolize regional Kurdish leadership and do not wish to see a competing leadership represented by the PKK or its historic figures. This internal Kurdish rivalry naturally fragments the Kurdish political landscape, a division Ankara exploits to deepen fragmentation and prevent any unified Kurdish national project that could threaten its national security. Thus, the occupied Assyrian homeland becomes part of a broader Turkish strategy aimed at regulating internal Kurdish balances while allowing local Kurdish forces to control the land in exchange for security and economic cooperation that serves Turkish interests. ### The Iranian Element Unlike its tense relationship with Turkey, Iran treats Kurdish playyers as actors that can be contained through political and economic influence rather than as direct threats. Over the past decades, Tehran has succeeded in building strong relations with certain Kurdish parties, benefiting from their need for local allies inside Iraq to counter Turkish and American influence. Iran invests in this relationship as a means to reinforce its political presence in northern Iraq and ensure that Kurdish players remain within its sphere of influence, whether through economic support or security networks. Tehran views the occupied Assyrian homeland as a sensitive area through which it can regulate local balances. Kurdish influence there allows Iran to maintain a presence in the Iraqi political landscape without direct territorial administration, by leveraging Kurdish influence within the Iraqi political system and directing it in ways that reinforce Iranian preferences (such as voting on positions like the Iraqi premiership, passing or obstructing legislation, and similar examples). Iran also believes that any move granting Assyrians a special legal status or international recognition could reshape the political map of northern Iraq in ways that may not serve its interests. Therefore, it is wary of the emergence of any independent or internationally protected entity in the region—including any Assyrian project—so as not to disrupt the status quo that has benefited Iran thus far. It also fears that such a project could become a foothold for rival powers or a model encouraging other groups to demand similar rights. Thus, Iran’s position is based on a combination of political containment of Kurdish forces and obstruction of any structural changes that might weaken this containment or grant indigenous peoples—including the Assyrians—an opportunity to reclaim their historical role or obtain political recognition that would limit Iran’s maneuverability in northern Iraq. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Assyria-map.png) Map courtesy of The Young Assyrians ### The Assyrian factor These dynamics have profoundly affected the Assyrian presence. As a result of the fragile balance between Turkey and Iran and the Kurdish exploitation of it, Assyrians find themselves in an extremely complex situation. **Kurdish players use regional competition to consolidate their occupation of the land, while Turkey and Iran treat the occupied Assyrian homeland merely as a zone of influence, with no regard for the rights or history of its Indigenous inhabitants. Meanwhile, the Iraqi state—expected to be the primary guarantor of its citizens’ rights—is either absent due to institutional weakness or incapable of asserting sovereignty against regional and local powers that surpass it in influence and capacity.** This political vacuum leaves Assyrians exposed to the projects of others and renders their demands for protection and recognition vulnerable to neglect or marginalization. Consequently, the occupied Assyrian homeland becomes a politically “ownerless” zone, governed according to the interests of competing powers rather than the rights of its original inhabitants. Although this land has been the home of the Assyrian people for thousands of years—people who possess a legal and moral right to self-determination—the lack of international and local will to recognize this right threatens the future of their existence and places them before existential challenges requiring the rebuilding of their political tools and reactivation of their role in the regional arena. > **Yet the Assyrian people do not enter this** > **crossroads empty-handed.** ### The Future of the Occupied Assyrian Homeland Amid Regional Competition The future of the Assyrian presence depends on three main factors. First, the ability of Assyrians to build a unified political framework. The absence of a general Assyrian political framework within which Assyrian actors operate causes regional and local powers to treat the Assyrian people as fragmented groups rather than a single political entity. Establishing such a framework—one that demands recognition of the Assyrians as an Indigenous people and presents a clear project for Assyrian rights on Assyrian land—is essential for any meaningful change. Second, the role of the Assyrian diaspora. The diaspora has the capacity to influence international public opinion, pressure Western institutions, and provide financial and political support for projects on the ground that preserve what remains of the Assyrian presence within transparent structures. In the absence of an effective Iraqi state, the diaspora becomes a decisive factor in protecting Assyrian existence. Third, analyzing and leveraging regional transformations. Turkish–Iranian competition may open new opportunities if Assyrians can present themselves as a neutral and constructive actor seeking stability, or if international powers such as the UN or the EU intervene to support Indigenous rights. However, continued Kurdish occupation and the absence of international will may lead to further demographic and political erosion of the Assyrian presence. The occupied Assyrian homeland stands today at a highly sensitive historical crossroads, where competing regional projects and unstable local balances intersect, while the Assyrian people remain the most marginalized party despite being the original inhabitants of the land. The homeland is trapped between Turkish and Iranian influence—both treating the region as a sphere of control rather than the home of an Indigenous nation—while Kurdish players impose a new political reality that disregards historical rights and seeks to reshape identity and demography to serve their national project. **Yet the Assyrian people do not enter this crossroads empty-handed. They possess elements of strength that can be activated if political and organizational will is present: a historical legitimacy spanning millennia, a resilient identity that has resisted erasure, a widespread diaspora capable of influencing international opinion, and the ability to rely on the language and principles of international law, which grants threatened peoples legal tools to demand protection and recognition.** The future of the occupied Assyrian homeland will not be shaped by waiting for regional changes that may or may not come, nor by relying on the struggles of major powers. It will be shaped by building a clear Assyrian political project grounded in a unifying national vision—one that transforms historical memory from a narrative of suffering into a negotiating force capable of asserting the Assyrian presence as a political actor rather than a perpetual victim of circumstance. **Despite the gravity of the current moment, it carries the possibility of redefining the Assyrian role—if the Assyrian people can organize themselves, unify their discourse, and employ the tools of strength available to them.** ### US envoy to Iraq pledges support for Nineveh Plain Region URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/us-envoy-to-iraq-pledges-support-for-nineveh-plain-region/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T07:05:58.000Z Speaking to the Assyrian news outlet Chaldean Press, Savaya is quoted saying he will help the Assyrian villages of the Nineveh Plain: “Many of these villages were destroyed by ISIS, and I am going to help them.” Savaya is also reported to push for the implementation of article 125 of the Iraqi constitution which grants minoritized groups administrative rights in their areas. If implemented, the Nineveh Plain Region could become a new province, giving locals greater autonomy over the area. Assyrian groups, most notably the Assyrian Democratic Movement, have advocated for the establishment of a Nineveh Plain Province since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. The Iraqi government took an initial step to establish the new province in early 2014 but the onslaught of ISIS later that year derailed the process. Mark Savaya's family is originally from Tell Keppe, one of the towns in the Nineveh plain that was devastated by ISIS. [In a surprise move, Trump picks Assyrian-American as special envoy to IraqDonald Trump’s appointment of Assyrian-American Mark Savaya as Special Envoy to Iraq has led some to question whether it is connected to the sudden decision by Iran-aligned forces to reinstate the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU).![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-51.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Savaya.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/in-a-surprise-move-trump-picks-assyrian-american-as-special-envoy-to-iraq/) ### Assyrian-Iraqi MP:s announce formation of parliamentary bloc URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/a-2/ Last updated: 2026-01-01T07:00:55.000Z **The announcement, delivered** during a press conference on Tuesday, 30 December, at the Iraqi parliament, saw Emad Youkhanna, Kaldo Ramzi and Sami Oshana stand together to announce the formation of the Suyana parliamentary bloc. Suyana, more commonly pronounced ṣebyānā (ܨܒܝܢܐ), is Assyrian for “will”. The new bloc, likely the smallest parliamentary bloc in Iraq, promised to be a “true and firm voice” for Assyrians, pledging that their representation will “no longer be symbolic or merely formal, but a real partner in national decision-making.” The spokesperson of the group, Kaldo Ramzi, began the announcement by saying: “Today, through this platform, we announce the formation of the Christian Suyana bloc, which includes three elected deputies from three different provinces, to become the largest parliamentary grouping representing the Christian component in the Iraqi Council of Representatives in its sixth term, and to seek to serve this component within a framework of joint action that transcends regionalism and narrow alignments.” He went on to explain that the parliamentary formation comes in response to the suffering of Assyrians over past decades, stating: “This necessitates a unified and effective parliamentary effort that contributes to preserving existence, safeguarding rights, and addressing the structural causes of all of the above.” 0:00 /7:42 1× ### Preventing demographic change The bloc also affirmed its commitment to defending the specificity of Assyrian areas, saying it will work to prevent any forced demographic changes and to: “Protect their rights to land, will, administration, services, fair representation, and ensure their effective participation in local and national decision-making in a way that respects their will, preserves their dignity, enhances their stability, and safeguards their authentic presence in their homeland.” To achieve this, the group says it will seek “special legislation” based on Article 125 of the Constitution, including a law for the protection of the rights of minoritized groups, “ensuring the preservation of the historical presence of the component and preventing any practices or policies that lead to demographic change in their areas.” Article 125 is one of the key constitutional protections for minoritized populations in Iraq. It establishes that non-majority groups have administrative, political, cultural, and educational rights. Its implementation has largely been lacking, especially with regard to Assyrians. ### Christian status law The bloc further stated that it wants to legislate a personal status law specific to Christians to guarantee their rights and safeguard their particularities. “We affirm our rejection of the usurpation of these rights or the imposition of legislation that contradicts our religious beliefs and social particularities,” the group proclaimed. The Iraqi constitution states that no law may contradict the established provisions of Islam, a provision that negatively affects non-Muslims in many areas of life, such as inheritance laws and other social matters. Critics of Sharia-based legislation argue that each religious community should have its own personal status law. ### Amendment of voting law and diaspora voting The bloc also said it intends to work to change two key laws that stifle Assyrian political representation: the election law and the right to vote for citizens in the diaspora. “We affirm the necessity of amending the election law in a manner that ensures genuine representation and free will through a special register for the \[Assyrian\] component, preserving the essence of the quota system while affirming the right to vote.” ### The wider context The move by the three MPs to form a bloc should be seen more as a symbolic act than one with the potential to change the situation. Given the sectarian nature of Iraqi politics, the chances for a three-man bloc to play any meaningful role are minuscule, if not non-existent. However, had the three sought to create a broader bloc together with other non-Muslim quota-seat representatives, such as Yazidi MP Murad Ismael, the outlook might have appeared somewhat better. The fact that no such minority bloc has emerged is a testament to the external patronage that makes it nearly impossible for minoritized groups to elect their own representatives. Since 2003, MPs representing Iraqi minorities have on a few occasions announced parliamentary blocs or coordination frameworks, but none have endured as stable, influential blocs comparable to Arab, Kurdish, or Islamist groupings. They have often fractured along lines of party affiliation or external patronage. Amid the many promises of the three-man bloc, the elephant in the room at the press conference was the Kurdish KDP party. It is an open secret that all three Assyrian MPs won their seats with the help of votes from the Barzani-controlled party. The fact that all three recently published photos of their separate meetings with KDP patriarch Masoud Barzani reinforced the perception that they are tied to the KDP agenda. While Ramzi, Youkhanna and Oshana do not hesitate to articulate their demands regarding Assyrian rights in Iraq, the behind-the-scenes bargaining with the KDP remains unknown, but if history is any guide, Assyrians are likely to be the ones drawing the shortest straw. ### Award-winning journalist releases collection of stories from Assyria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/journalist-releases-collection-of-stories-from-assyria/ Last updated: 2025-12-31T11:49:25.000Z **Joe Snell, an** Assyrian-American award-winning journalist and founder of the Assyrian Journal has released a book with a collection of stories from his dispatch to Assyria. “*Our Assyrian Story*” tells about the struggles of an ancient nation fighting to preserve its language and culture in the face of land encroachment, religious persecution, and assimilation. The book is described as an archive of Assyrian stories and photos by Joe Snell published in The Assyrian Journal between 2017 and 2025. Joe Snell left a career in Hollywood to share the story of Assyrians. His reporting has taken him to Iraq, Lebanon, Germany, Paris, Belgium and across the United States. He previously worked as an international video journalist for *The Washington Post* and earlier as a video journalist for *Al-Monitor*, a digital news outlet focused on the Middle East.​​​ In 2025, he was part of a team that won the National Press Photographers Association’s Best of Photojournalism award. He was awarded Northwestern University’s Harrington Award in 2020, the school's highest graduate honor. He's also a recipient of the national Scranton Gillette Fellowship and the Radio Television Digital News Association's Vada and Col. Barney Oldfield National Security Reporting Fellowship. Since then, he’s worked as a journalist at The Washington Post and found himself at the center of some of the world’s biggest stories — reporting live during the 2025 U.S. presidential election, covering the White House, traveling across the country on breaking news assignments, and dispatching to events unfolding in the Middle East. For his work, he was awarded the National Press Photographers Association Best of Photojournalism award. In 2017, he founded [The Assyrian Journal](https://theassyrianjournal.com/?ref=assyriapost.com), an online news site covering the global Assyrian community. “Our Assyrian Story” is available for order [here](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/our-assyrian-story-joe-snell/1148858680?ean=9798260300039&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEwdVFHNHNKR3duWTBUcHdmS3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6zHR%5FjTZMpdu7JmTouLnsLyhvTpgYYLbbOisai09MjCP2NghoUzOj0U9aA%5FA%5Faem%5FwIIDfyTbT8wBh7qWdrzbuQ&ref=assyriapost.com). ### Boxing cousins Mansour and Ballo impress on WBC Undercard in Los Angeles URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/boxing-cousins-mansour-and-ballo-impress-on-wbc-undercard-in-los-angeles/ Last updated: 2025-12-30T06:24:11.000Z **Mansour (6-0, 2 KOs)** dominated his Mexican opponent Marc Antonio Juarez (12-9-3, 5 KOs) in a six-round lightweight bout, earning a unanimous decision with a flawless 60-54 scorecard. The San Diego native dedicated the emotional victory to his late mother, who passed away earlier this year after a battle with cancer. Earlier this year, Mansour visited his ancestral village of Alqosh in the Nineveh Plain. Speaking to *Chaldean News*, he described the experience as “amazing,” noting that life in Assyria is “a lot different from where I grew up.” During the trip, Mansour also visited the Assyrian towns of Tel Keppe, Tesqopa, and Batnaya. [Assyrian boxer Jonny “Magic” Mansour tours northern Iraq, including hometown AlqoshThe Assyrian athlete was greated as a hero in the birth place of his parents in Assyria.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-49.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-09-at-21.23.00.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-boxer-jonny-magic-mansour-tours-northern-iraq-including-hometown-alqosh/) An eight-time national champion, Golden Gloves winner, and international gold medalist with Team USA, Mansour has also expressed his intention to represent Iraq at the 2028 Summer Olympics. When asked what incentives were offered to him, he remarked humorously: “Offer? No, they promised a statue in Baghdad and a million dollars if I bring them a medal in the 2028 Olympics.” Earlier on the card, 22-year-old Julius Ballo (2-0) faced Nicaraguan fighter Juan Cento (10-25-4, 2 KOs), defeating his last-minute replacement opponent by unanimous decision after winning every round for a 60-53 scorecard. Ballo, a rising prospect, is signed with Top Rank, one of the world’s leading boxing promotions founded by legendary promoter Bob Arum. The future looks bright for the two undefeated cousins, both natives of Alqosh in the Nineveh Plain, as they continue to build momentum in their professional careers. Their shared success adds to the growing list of Assyrian achievements in boxing worldwide, complementing recent world-title success by Assyrian-Australian boxer Alex Naman. [Assyrian-Australian boxer Alex Naman captures new titleAssyrian-Australian boxer Alex Naman extended his perfect record to 9–0, defeating his opponent to win the IBO Oceania-Orient Super Bantamweight title, another milestone in the rising fighter’s journey from refugee roots to undefeated pro.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-50.png)The Assyria Post\- The Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/482247726_1372996894150380_2326943542997074990_n-1.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-australian-boxer-alex-naman-captures-new-title/) ### Kurdish TV portrays Assyrians as “Christian Kurds,” reflecting pattern of ethnic denial URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/on/ Last updated: 2025-12-29T07:15:14.000Z **The discrimination and** destitution of Assyrians by Kurdish actors was aired on TV when a Kurdish channel owned by the Talabani clan, highlighting land grabbings Assyrians face in the part of Northern Iraq controlled by the rival Barzani clan, itself presented Assyrians as "Christian Kurds". In a [news segment](https://www.facebook.com/reel/25479968128336516) aired on December 19th on the Sulaymaniyah-based Channel 8, the issue of land-grabbing faced by Assyrians in various villages was addressed. In the clip, the reporter visited villages in the region and interviewed locals, who described seizure of lands by the Kurdish KRG government and high ranking members of the Kurdish KDP party. An Assyrian man named Patoo is featured, describing the occupation of his land and the lack of government action to resolve the issue. He also mentions other villages that have faced similar issues. Towards the 2:42 mark of the video, the news anchor states, "There are about 70 Christian villages in Duhok Province, but the identity of some of these villages is still unknown. Some of them have been changed for villas and projects", and goes on to say: "One of the villages in the region is Miska, which is mostly populated by Christian Kurds." The mislabeling of Miska's Assyrian population reflects a long-standing pattern of Kurdification of Assyrians in the country's northern regions. It is an issue that has continuously been brought to light, and as this news video shows, continuous. The village of Miska has been [subject to routine violence](https://www.barnabasaid.org/us/news/christians-in-iraqi-kurdistan-forced-to-abandon-homes-due-to-turkish-bom/?ref=assyriapost.com) during Turkish airstrikes on the PKK since the beginning of the decade. In 2021, the Mar Yousip Assyrian Church of the East in the village was [damaged](http://www.aina.org/news/20210526122611.htm?ref=assyriapost.com) as a result of said airstrikes. When renewed airstrikes took place in 2024, parts of the village and its church were [damaged once more](https://www.reddit.com/r/Assyria/comments/1esw6em/the%5Fassyrians%5Fof%5Fthe%5Fvillage%5Fof%5Fmusaka%5Finspect/?ref=assyriapost.com). Many of the Assyrians inhabitants of the villages were forced to flee as a result of the clashes. On top of being caught in the PKK-Turkish conflict and facing land grabbs, Assyrians are routinely misrepresented by Kurdish media and political actors in an ongoing denial of ethnic identity and rights as an indigenous population. ### Assyrian Christmas celebrations increasingly used for propaganda purposes URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-christmas-celebrations-increasingly-used-for-propaganda-purposes/ Last updated: 2025-12-28T07:29:00.000Z **Some of the** most intense Christmas propaganda was from northeastern Syria and the Kurdish entity in control of the area. Media outlets and individuals affiliated with PKK-linked group currently controlling the Gozarto Region in northeast Syria circulated extensive coverage of Assyrians celebrating Christmas, presenting themselves as*“protectors of the Christians*". This narrative stands in sharp contrast to realities on the ground. Since the takeover by PKK-affiliated structures, the Assyrian presence in Gozarto has declined significantly, amid reports of killings and beatings of community leaders, efforts to [shut down Assyrian schools](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-militants-close-down-assyrian-schools-by-force-in-syrias-northeast/), and broader [patterns of repression](http://www.aina.org/reports/ace201701.pdf?ref=assyriapost.com). Similar dynamics were visible in Northern Iraq, where Kurdish political actors promoted images of Assyrians celebrating Christmas as evidence of *“peaceful coexistence.”* Beyond the holiday optics, however, Assyrians continue to [face systematic exclusion and pressure](https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/4ec518%5F18285c91d7924250aa1c52b0b4c7da9f.pdf?ref=assyriapost.com), including ongoing attempts to assert control over the Nineveh Plain and marginalize Assyrian political and communal representation. State media in Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey also amplified Christmas coverage, frequently broadcasting celebratory images and reports, often in English, aimed at international audiences. The recurring message was that Christians remain an integral part of these societies. At the same time, the Assyrian and broader Christian populations in all four Muslim majority states have continued to decline. Adding another layer to the politicization of Christmas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [appeared in a video statement](https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog%5Fentry/in-xmas-greeting-netanyahu-says-israel-is-only-mideast-country-where-christians-are-thriving/?ref=assyriapost.com) noting that Christian populations are shrinking across much of the Middle East, and presenting Israel as an exception. Here too, the Christmas message was used to project a favorable image internationally amid a growing backlash over Israel's actions in Gaza. ### How Assyrians are driven into collective suicidal ethnogenocide URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/how-assyrians-are-driven-into-collective-suicidal-ethnogenocide/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T20:16:45.000Z > **A matter requiring urgent international attention, condemnation, and the accountability of all responsible actors** **What is unfolding** today against the indigenous Assyrian people is no longer a matter of cultural misunderstanding, administrative negligence, or collateral damage of regional instability. It is a systemic, sustained, and multi-actor process of identity destruction, carried out through coercion, misclassification, and structural pressure. **This process—now increasingly internalized under duress—constitutes collective suicidal ethnogenocide: the eradication of a people’s existence through enforced self-denial rather than overt physical annihilation.** This outcome is neither accidental nor inevitable. It is enabled, normalized, and in critical respects facilitated by ecclesiastical authorities, political parties, the central government of Iraq, and the regional Kurdish government. Together, these actors have produced a convergent system in which Assyrian peoplehood is fragmented, downgraded, and administratively erased, transforming an indigenous nation into a voiceless religious residue. ### **Assyrians as an Indigenous People under International Law** Under modern international law, the indigenous status of the Assyrian people is neither ambiguous nor unsettled. It is grounded in historical continuity, territorial rootedness, collective peoplehood, and non-dominant status within a modern state—criteria articulated authoritatively in the Martínez Cobo study and codified in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).¹ UNDRIP affirms Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination (Art. 3), to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social, and cultural institutions (Art. 5), and to belong to an Indigenous community or nation in accordance with the traditions and customs of that community (Art. 33). It further prohibits forced assimilation or destruction of culture, including any action that has the aim or effect of depriving indigenous peoples of their integrity as distinct peoples (Art. 8). The Assyrian people—whose documented presence in Mesopotamia predates all modern political formations in Iraq—meet every objective criterion of indigeneity. Their catastrophic demographic decline, repeated displacement, and political marginalization throughout the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries only reinforce their non-dominant status.² ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Dani-Sada.png) The author, Dr. Daniel Sada. ### **Ecclesiastical Authorities and the Ethnicization of Denomination** A central internal mechanism of Assyrian identity destruction is the ethnicization of ecclesiastical denominations. Labels such as Chaldean and Syriac, historically canonical and liturgical designations within Assyrian Christianity, are increasingly presented—by church hierarchies and their political interlocutors—as separate ethnic origins, severed from Assyrian historical continuity. This transformation is neither neutral nor theological. Churches exercise immense power in vulnerable minority contexts: control over education, historical narrative, political representation, access to humanitarian aid, and mediation with state authorities. When ecclesiastical institutions discourage, marginalize, or penalize Assyrian self-identification—whether through doctrine, social pressure, or administrative practice—they move beyond religious governance into identity engineering. Such conduct directly conflicts with UNDRIP Articles 11 and 13, which protect Indigenous peoples’ rights to practice and revitalize their cultural traditions, histories, names, and identities. Religious affiliation is voluntary and non-territorial; Indigenous peoples are historical, territorial, and collective. Substituting one for the other constitutes cultural destruction, not pluralism.³ ### **The Regional Kurdish Government: Demographic Engineering and Institutional Erasure** The regional Kurdish government (KRG) bears direct and escalating responsibility for enabling Assyrian ethnogenocide. Numerous human-rights reports and academic studies document persistent patterns of: 1. Assyrian land confiscation and village encroachment 2. Failure to enforce judicial rulings restoring Assyrian property 3. Suppression of Assyrian protests by security forces 4. Systematic Kurdification of local administration, education, and toponymy These actions violate UNDRIP Articles 25 and 26, which protect indigenous peoples’ rights to maintain their spiritual relationship with traditionally owned lands and to own, use, develop, and control those lands. While often justified as rectifying Baʿathist Arabization, the practical effect is a secondary demographic-engineering process that renders Assyrians politically invisible and territorially expendable.⁴ **Most damningly, the KRG persistently treats Assyrians not as an indigenous people but as a sectarian minority, stripping them of land-based rights and normalizing displacement—an approach incompatible with Indigenous law.** ### **The Iraqi State: Constitutional Guarantees and Structural Betrayal** The central government of Iraq cannot evade responsibility by invoking constitutional promises. In practice, Baghdad has consistently failed to recognize Assyrians as an Indigenous people, reducing them instead to a vague “Christian component” within a sectarian framework. This administrative reduction violates UNDRIP Articles 8, 11, and 33 by: 1. Erasing Assyrian pre-Islamic and pre-Arab historical continuity 2. Removing Assyrians from Indigenous rights regimes 3. Relegating them to discretionary minority-protection mechanisms United Nations human-rights mechanisms have repeatedly highlighted the gap between Iraq’s constitutional guarantees and their implementation, particularly regarding ethnic and religious minorities.⁵ This persistent misclassification constitutes state-level complicity in identity erasure. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Reliefs.png) ### **Political Parties and the Weaponization of Fragmentation** Political parties—both regional and national—have exploited ecclesiastical fragmentation for electoral, territorial, and patronage-based advantages. Minority quota systems are manipulated, representation is diluted, and Assyrian political agency is neutralized through controlled proxies. This practice undermines UNDRIP Article 18, which affirms Indigenous peoples’ right to participate in decision-making through representatives chosen by themselves. Fragmentation is not an accident; it is a strategy.⁶ > That many Assyrians now identify primarily as denominational Christians or generic “Christians” is not evidence of voluntary abandonment of indigenous identity. ### **Internalized Compliance Is Not Consent** That many Assyrians now identify primarily as denominational Christians or generic “Christians” is not evidence of voluntary abandonment of indigenous identity. UNDRIP Article 8 makes clear that forced or induced assimilation has no legitimizing effect, while Article 33 confirms that indigenous peoples themselves—not churches or states—determine identity and membership. Where indigenous identity is penalized, rendered unsafe, or stripped of material benefit, internal compliance must be understood as identity substitution under domination, not free self-determination.⁷ ### **Comparative Precedents: Why Denial Has Never Invalidated Indigenous Peoples Elsewhere** Global precedents make this unequivocal. UNDRIP was drafted precisely because indigenous peoples elsewhere were coerced into similar patterns of denial without losing their status. In the Americas, indigenous peoples were stripped of languages, Christianized, and pressured to abandon ancestral names. Entire generations came to identify primarily as Christians or citizens. International law now treats these outcomes as evidence of colonial harm, not voluntary abandonment. In Russia and Siberia, indigenous peoples were administratively downgraded into folkloric or ethnographic categories, pressured into Russian language and Orthodox identity, and encouraged to self-identify as non-Indigenous. They are nonetheless recognized as indigenous because identity erosion occurred under structural domination, not free choice. **The legal implication is unavoidable: Assyrians do not lose indigenous status through coerced denominational or religious identification.** ### **Heritage Law and the Final Consequence of Erasure: When Names Decide Ownership** The danger of Assyrian identity denial is not confined to human-rights law. It carries irreversible consequences under international heritage law, where names determine attribution, ownership, and protection. Under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (1972), cultural heritage is attributed not on the basis of modern demographics or state narratives, but on cultural authorship, historical continuity, and traditional or indigenous association.⁸ The Operational Guidelines for the World Heritage Convention (paras. 77–83) require dossiers to identify the culture and people who created, named, maintained, or ritualized a site, not later occupants or administrative authorities.⁹ In heritage law, naming is juridical, not cosmetic. The name under which a people and its culture are recorded determines: 1. Who is recognized as the cultural author 2. Whose history is preserved ### **Who has standing in heritage disputes and protection regimes?** For this reason, UNESCO and its advisory body, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), categorically reject retroactive ethnic reassignment. Egyptian monuments are not reclassified as “Arab heritage.” Roman ruins in France are not labeled “Frankish heritage.” Mayan sites are not renamed after modern nationalities.¹⁰ Applied to the Assyrian case, the implications are grave. When Assyrians are re-labeled as mere “Christians,” or when ecclesiastical denominations are falsely elevated into ethnic categories, Assyrian heritage risks being re-attributed away from the Assyrian people—to religious institutions, modern states, or dominant regional narratives. UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) recognizes misnaming, re-attribution, and loss of traditional names as forms of intangible heritage destruction, particularly where indigenous peoples are concerned.¹¹ This aligns directly with UNDRIP Articles 11–13, which protect indigenous histories, names, toponyms, and cultural narratives. **Thus, Assyrian self-denial does not merely weaken identity claims; it enables the permanent legal reassignment of Assyrian heritage to others. Once recorded incorrectly in heritage regimes, such loss is rarely reversible.** ### **The Internal Cost of Denial: Consequences for Assyrians Who Abandon Their Ancestral Peoplehood** While culpable actors bear primary responsibility, the internal consequences of denial must be faced honestly. Culturally and psychologically, denial produces identity dislocation—belief without peoplehood, faith without history, survival without dignity. Intergenerational confusion and vulnerability to imposed narratives follow. Legally and politically, denial weakens standing: indigenous claims go unasserted, heritage is misattributed, and communities are downgraded into weaker minority-rights frameworks. Rights not asserted are never enforced. For future generations, the danger is existential. Children raised without Assyrian peoplehood inherit political invisibility, cultural amnesia, and dispossession—not by choice, but by inheritance. ### **Rectification from Within and Resistance Without** Rectification must begin internally, without waiting for permission. Assyrians must reassert their peoplehood as ancestral, indigenous, and non-negotiable, clearly separating ecclesiastical affiliation from ethnic identity and transmitting Assyrian continuity consciously to future generations. Externally, rectification demands confrontation, not accommodation—challenging churches that ethnicize denominations, parties that weaponize fragmentation, and governments that institutionalize erasure. Structural injustice requires structural resistance. ### **An Urgent Call for International Investigation** The convergence of ecclesiastical coercion, political manipulation, administrative erasure, territorial dispossession, heritage misattribution, and internalized denial meets the threshold for international investigation. This demands scrutiny by UN Special Rapporteurs, independent fact-finding missions, review of Iraqi and KRG practices under UNDRIP Articles 7–13, and assessment of non-state actors, including churches. Failure to act now risks allowing an indigenous people to disappear without a single shot fired. > **The cumulative outcome is not mere marginalization, but ethnogenocide—the destruction of a people as a people** ### **Conclusion: A Final Warning, a Legal Record, and a Choice** What is unfolding against the indigenous Assyrian people today is not confusion, coincidence, or cultural evolution. It is a documentable process of coerced identity destruction, carried out through converging ecclesiastical, political, state, and heritage-administrative mechanisms, and sustained by fear, dependency, and structural domination. The cumulative outcome is not mere marginalization, but ethnogenocide—the destruction of a people as a people—executed without mass graves, but with paperwork, pulpits, party offices, and archival reclassification. This article has demonstrated that Assyrians meet every criterion of indigeneity under international law, that their forced reclassification violates UNDRIP, that internalized denial under coercion has never invalidated indigenous status anywhere in the world, and that heritage law transforms identity erasure into permanent cultural dispossession. **Responsibility is not abstract. It lies with ecclesiastical authorities who ethnicize denominations, political parties that weaponize fragmentation, the KRG that engineers demographics and erases indigenous standing, and the Iraqi state that reduces an indigenous nation to a “Christian component.”** Equally grave is the internal danger. Identity surrendered today becomes heritage lost tomorrow. Future generations will inherit the consequences, not the choice. International law still stands. What remains undecided is whether it will be enforced—or allowed to become another record of failure. **This is no longer a question of heritage or theology. It is a question of whether an indigenous people will be allowed to exist as such in the twenty-first century.** #### References 1. Gaunt, David. Massacres, Resistance, Protectors: Muslim–Christian Relations in Eastern Anatolia during World War I. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2006. 2. Human Rights Watch. On Vulnerable Ground: Violence against Minority Communities in Nineveh Province. New York, 2009. 3. International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). Charter on Cultural Significance. Paris. 4. Martínez Cobo, José R. Study of the Problem of Discrimination against Indigenous Populations. UN Doc. E/CN.4/Sub.2/1986/7/Add.4. 5. Niezen, Ronald. The Origins of Indigenism: Human Rights and the Politics of Identity. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2003. 6. Sehlikoglu, Sertaç, and Jelle Verheij. “Minority Protection and the Politics of Recognition in Iraq.” Middle East Critique 29, no. 4 (2020): 409–425. 7. Slezkine, Yuri. Arctic Mirrors: Russia and the Small Peoples of the North. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1994. 8. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future. Ottawa, 2015. 9. United Nations. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. UNGA Res. 61/295, 2007. 10. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Paris, 1972. 11. UNESCO. Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Paris. 12. UNESCO. Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Paris, 2003. 13. United Nations Human Rights Council. Report of the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues: Iraq. UN Doc. A/HRC/34/53/Add.1. 14. United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Human Rights System. New York: United Nations, 2013. 15. Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO). Assyria: Human Rights Report. The Hague. ### Sanhareeb Sports Club secures fifth place at the West Asia Women’s Volleyball Championship URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/sanhareeb-sports-club-secures-fifth-place-at-the-west-asia-womens-volleyball-championship/ Last updated: 2025-12-26T21:26:45.000Z **Sanhareeb Sports Club** of Nohadra (Dohuk) delivered a standout performance at the West Asia Women’s Volleyball Championship in Kuwait, finishing the tournament in an impressive fifth place after a series of strong and competitive displays. Representing Iraq in Group C, the Assyrian side dominated the group stage, recording three consecutive victories. Sanhareeb opened their campaign with a 3–1 win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Fayhaa Club, followed by a convincing 3–0 victory against Palestine’s Al Quds Club, before edging Jordan’s Al Nassr Club 3–2\. With a perfect record of three wins from three matches, Sanhareeb advanced to the quarterfinals on the maximum nine points. In the quarterfinals, Sanhareeb faced Saudi Arabia’s Ola Club in a tightly contested match. Despite a determined and spirited performance, the team suffered a narrow 3–2 defeat. Sanhareeb responded strongly in the placement matches to contest fifth place. The team once again overcame Al Fayhaa of Saudi Arabia with a 3–2 victory, before concluding their campaign emphatically with a dominant 3–0 win over Kuwait’s Salwa Al-Sabah Sports Club. With these results, Sanhareeb Sports Club proudly secured fifth place at the West Asia Women’s Volleyball Championship, an achievement that builds on their recent success in winning the Iraqi Women’s Volleyball League and underscores the club’s growing stature on the regional stage. Named in homage to the legendary Assyrian king Sennacherib, Sanhareeb Sports Club continues to showcase the strength and depth of sporting excellence within the Assyrian community, across multiple disciplines and among both men and women. ### Assyrian Cardinal faces Iraqi backlash over perceived call for normalization with Israel URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-cardinal-faces-iraqi-backlash-over-perceived-call-for-normalization-with-israel/ Last updated: 2025-12-25T20:14:39.000Z **Cardinal Louis Raphael** Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, the largest Assyrian denomination in Iraq, has come under criticism following remarks made during Christmas Mass in Baghdad in which he used the term *“normalization,”* a word that carries strong political connotations in Iraq and the wider Middle East. In regional discourse, “normalization” is closely associated with the establishment of relations with Israel, an act that is prohibited under Iraqi law. Speaking on Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Chaldean Cathedral, in the presence of caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, Cardinal Sako said: *“There is talk about normalization, and I hope from the new government that normalization in Iraq and with Iraq will take place. Iraq is the land of the prophets. Just as the Talmud was written in Babylon, the world should come to Iraq, not elsewhere.”* The Patriarch’s use of the terms “normalization” and “Talmud” was interpreted by some as a reference to relations with Israel, a highly sensitive issue in Iraq. Prime Minister al-Sudani later responded by rejecting the political framing of the term, stating that Iraq does not require normalization in that sense. *“What Iraq needs is brotherhood, love, and coexistence,”* he said, adding that Iraq’s relationships are governed by moral, religious, constitutional, and legal principles. He stressed that the term “normalization” is associated with *“an occupying power that violates land and humanity.”* Under Iraq’s 2022 law criminalizing contact with Israel, any form of diplomatic, political, military, economic, or cultural relations with the so-called “Zionist entity” is prohibited, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to life sentences or capital punishment. The term “normalization” has gained wider regional prominence through theAbraham Accords**,** a U.S.-backed initiative that led the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco to establish formal relations with Israel, with Washington seeking to expand the framework to other countries. Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr condemned Cardinal Sako’s remarks, describing normalization as a crime under Iraqi law and warning that anyone advocating it, regardless of position, would face legal consequences. In response to the backlash, the Patriarchate issued a clarification on Thursday stating that Cardinal Sako had not referred to Israel. The statement emphasized that his remarks were intended to highlight Iraq’s cultural and civilizational significance, not political normalization. It described Iraq as the birthplace of Abraham and one of the world’s earliest centers of civilization. *“Iraq, from Basra to Zakho, is a living museum,”* the statement said, adding that the country’s historical heritage should be leveraged to promote tourism and economic development, particularly as reliance on oil resources is unsustainable. ### Cyprus parliament unanimously condemns Assyrian genocide URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/cyprus-parliament-unanimously-condemns-assyrian-genocide/ Last updated: 2025-12-24T07:04:54.000Z **The House of Representatives** of Cyprus has adopted a resolution condemning the historical massacre of Assyrians in a unanimous vote during its plenary session on Monday, the Cyprus News Agency reports. The measure, put forward by Independent Socialist MP Kostis Efstathiou, formally recognizes and denounces the atrocities suffered by Assyrians. In his remarks, Efstathiou highlighted the shared suffering of Assyrians in 1915 alongside Armenians and Pontic Greeks, characterizing the events as part of a devastating “trilogy of genocides” targeting Christian communities. He underlined the historical contributions of the ancient Assyrian civilization. The resolution also designates August 7 as an official “Day of Remembrance,” commemorating the 1933 Simile massacre in what was then the newly formed Iraqi state, which brought further waves of violence against Assyrians. Efstathiou framed the House’s action as consistent with Cyprus’s own history of ethnic cleansing and minority suffering, emphasizing solidarity with persecuted peoples. All major political parties in the parliament welcomed the resolution making it pass unanimously. Efstathiou used a recent event in a church in Nicosia on 19 November to focus on the need of recognition of the genocide of Assyrians, where he also read the text of the proposal for the parliamentary resolution that has now been adopted. Kostis Efstathiou serves as a Member of the House of Representatives of Cyprus and has been active in European and human rights issues through the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and related committees, focusing on areas like the European Court of Human Rights and implementation of its rulings. He has also participated in international parliamentary work on Turkey and human rights issues. ### Swedish government's plan to revoke stay permits could affect many Assyrian refugees URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/swedish-governments-plan-to-revoke-stay-permits-could-affect-many-assyrian-refugees/ Last updated: 2025-12-23T06:06:47.000Z **Permanent residence permits** for asylum seekers could be revoked under a proposed new law put forward by a government appointed inquiry in Sweden. The stated aim is to encourage more people to meet the requirements for Swedish citizenship, but critics argue the move is intended to appease the Sweden Democrats, a party critical of mass migration and a key supporter of the governing coalition. The government has not yet decided whether the proposal will be turned into law. “The proposal will be sent out for consultation, after which the government and the Sweden Democrats will take a position,” Migration Minister Johan Forssell of the Moderate Party told Swedish state broadcaster SVT. He acknowledged that revoking permanent residence permits is “a complex issue.” The proposed law would apply to asylum seekers and their family members who hold permanent residence permits. Labour migrants would not be affected. An estimated 98,000 to 180,000 people could fall under the new rules. Many arrived in Sweden more than a decade ago, including large numbers of Assyrians who fled ISIS attacks in Syria and Iraq. ### Allowed to stay The vast majority are expected to be allowed to remain in Sweden if the law were introduced, either because they already meet the requirements for citizenship or because they qualify for long term residence. Permanent residence permits would not be revoked if the individual chooses to apply for Swedish citizenship. “I don’t think people should be worried,” Forssell said. Despite these assurances, the proposal has drawn strong criticism from a wide range of groups and organizations. The Swedish Christian Council, which represents 27 church denominations in Sweden including all Assyrian church denominations, warned of serious consequences. In a statement, the council said: “Those who meet the requirements for citizenship can apply for it, but processing times can take several years and the outcome is uncertain. Many also lack the ability to prove their identity due to shortcomings in their home countries’ administrative systems and therefore do not meet the requirements for Swedish citizenship. Those who can neither apply for citizenship nor meet the requirements for a temporary residence permit risk being deported.” Tony Haddou, a Swedish Assyrian member of parliament from the far left party Vänsterpartiet, has also sharply criticized the proposal. “The proposal raises a number of serious questions about legal certainty, proportionality, and respect for fundamental rights,” Haddou said. He added: “Unilaterally revoking such decisions may conflict with Swedish law, EU law, and administrative law principles designed to protect individuals from arbitrary exercises of power.” ### Nasheit’s new life in Iraqi Assyria Sweden’s current right leaning government has already increased deportations. One of those deported under the tougher immigration policy is Assyrian Nasheit Pauls, who was put on a plane in June 2025 and sent back to Iraqi Assyria after living in Sweden for 18 years. He suffers from medical difficulties, having had toes on one of his feet amputated. He has returned to his hometown of Bashiqa in the Nineveh Plain, where local churches have helped him find shelter and work as a caretaker. He now survives largely on donations from church visitors. “I am still shocked by how Sweden treated me in the end. I lived there for 18 years after all,” he told a Swedish newspaper in Södertälje, a town with a large Assyrian population where he was living. With even stricter rules now under consideration, many more Assyrians could face deportation in the coming year. ### Interior ministry rules out sectarian motive in killing of Assyrian police colonel URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/interior-ministry-rules-out-sectarian-motive-in-killing-of-assyrian-police-colonel/ Last updated: 2025-12-22T06:28:03.000Z **Colonel Zaid Adel** Subaih Jirjis, a senior Assyrian police officer, was shot and killed on Friday, December 19, near his home in the Arafa area of Kirkuk. Iraq’s Interior Ministry said the killing was a criminal act carried out by fellow police personnel. In a statement, the ministry said investigators determined that the shooting stemmed from specific personal disputes, ruling out terrorism or sectarian motives. According to the ministry, both the victim and the suspects had previously been convicted in a joint forgery case and were released under Iraq’s recent General Amnesty Law. Sources told local news outlets that the main suspect, a police officer, later took his own life and was found inside the vehicle used in the attack. A second suspect, his brother, was arrested shortly afterward. Authorities also detained a third brother who was present at the time of the arrest, as well as other family members including the suspects’ father. The legal grounds for these detentions were not immediately clarified. Colonel Zaid Jirjis is survived by his wife and three children. ### A Betrayed Partnership: Assyrians and Post-1991 Governance in Northern Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/opinion-2/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T20:46:10.000Z > **"The claim that the KRG represents a model of democratic coexistence cannot be sustained without confronting this record. Protection without partnership is not equality. And history, when documented honestly, does not forget"** **The Kurdish uprising** of 1991 was decisively crushed by Saddam Hussein’s forces. By March of that year, Iraqi armored divisions, air power, and security units had reasserted control over much of northern Iraq, inflicting heavy losses on insurgent forces and triggering mass civilian displacement. Absent external intervention, Kurdish armed factions were neither positioned nor capable of sustaining territorial control, let alone consolidating a regional political authority. It was only with the Western-enforced no-fly zone of the 36th parallel—established after the uprising’s defeat—that Baghdad’s military advantage was neutralized. The no-fly zone prevented Iraqi air operations, disrupted centralized repression, and created a security umbrella primarily for the Kurds, while incidentally covering other populations already living north of the line, including under Assyrians and other groups, without granting them recognition, guarantees, or political protection. **Crucially, this mechanism did not constitute international authorization for secession, nor did it confer legitimacy for the creation of an ethnically defined state. It was a humanitarian protection measure, not a nation-building mandate.** As a peace-oriented nation without separatist ambitions, and despite maintaining volunteer armed forces that fought alongside Kurdish units against Saddam’s forces in 1991, Assyrians naturally sought a genuine partnership with the Kurdish people—one grounded in integrity, mutual respect, and political equality rather than unilateral dominance. ### **A Political Actor, Not a Client** Founded in 1979, the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM) emerged as the principal political organization representing Assyrian national interests in Iraq. While acknowledging the role of other Assyrian political parties, the ADM distinguished itself through sustained political organization, participation in Iraqi opposition coalitions, and engagement with international actors. > **"Crucially, the ADM framed Assyrian claims as political and administrative rather than merely cultural or religious."** Following 1991, the ADM approached the two main Kurdish parties, the KDP and PUK, not as a subordinate minority body, but as a political partner within the broader Iraqi opposition. The ADM was an active participant in Iraqi opposition frameworks and articulated a platform grounded in pluralism, decentralization, and the right of peoples to self-determination within Iraq. Crucially, the ADM framed Assyrian claims as political and administrative rather than merely cultural or religious. It emphasized local governance, administrative authority in Assyrian-inhabited areas, and security guarantees for returning civilians—positions consistent with international minority-rights standards articulated by the United Nations. ### **An Anticipated Plural Northern Iraq** In the immediate aftermath of the no-fly zone, Assyrian political actors envisioned a plural northern Iraq composed of multiple components—Kurds, Assyrians, Turkmen, and others—each administering their own lands while coexisting within a shared regional framework. This vision did not imply demographic parity with Kurdish parties or shared sovereignty over all of northern Iraq. Rather, it reflected an expectation that governance would be negotiated and inclusive, not monopolized by one national group. ADM behavior supports this interpretation. The movement organized politically, contested elections, issued governance-oriented programs, and engaged Kurdish authorities as counterparts—actions characteristic of a political actor anticipating agency rather than subordination. ### **The Reality: National Consolidation Over Pluralism** The political order that emerged after 1991 diverged sharply from this pluralistic vision. Rather than developing into an inclusive post-Ba’ath framework reflecting the region's ethnic and historical diversity, governance in northern Iraq consolidated around a single national project. The post-1991 administration adopted the nomenclature of “Kurdistan", a political framing that emphasized Kurdish national claims while sidelining the region’s multi-ethnic and indigenous character, particularly the Assyrian presence. This framing was not merely symbolic. It shaped institutional structures, territorial narratives, and political legitimacy, positioning Kurds as the constituent nation while recasting Assyrians and other indigenous communities as minorities within their own ancestral lands. Human Rights Watch observed that political authority in the region became concentrated in the hands of dominant Kurdish parties, with limited institutional safeguards to ensure meaningful participation or protection for minoritized communities. ### **Marginalization, Cultural Reduction, and Historical Reframing** As Kurdish authority consolidated under the protection of the no-fly zone, the ADM was progressively marginalized. Political participation was reduced to token representation without meaningful influence over decision-making. Assyrian lands were subjected to appropriation and settlement by Kurds, and property disputes overwhelmingly favored Kurdish claimants—a pattern documented in detail by Human Rights Watch, which found that minority communities lacked access to impartial legal remedies and were often disadvantaged by party-controlled local authorities. **Even where cultural and religious rights were nominally recognized, they were tightly circumscribed. Assyrian educational curricula came under oversight, and Assyrian children were required to learn state-approved narratives that elevated Kurdish historical figures historically associated with mass violence against Assyrians—without critical contextualization.** Meanwhile, serious crimes against Assyrians—including killings and intimidation—frequently were uninvestigated or unprosecuted, reinforcing perceptions of institutional impunity. ### **What True Partnership Would Have Required** The post-1991 period offered a historic opportunity to reset Assyrian-Kurdish relations. Despite a long and painful history—including Kurdish participation in mass violence against Assyrians between 1843-1915, a new chapter could have been written. A genuine partnership would have required allowing Assyrians in northern Iraq to administer their own lands; prosecuting transgressions against Assyrians fairly and transparently; ensuring equitable political representation in regional institutions; refraining from interference designed to sabotage Assyrian political movements; and supporting Assyrian aspirations for an administrative region in the Nineveh Plains, consistent with Article 125 of the Iraqi Constitution, rather than undermining them. None of these conditions have been met. The result has been the erosion of trust, the hollowing out of Assyrian political life, and the continued displacement and migration of an indigenous people from its historic homeland. **The claim that the KRG represents a model of democratic coexistence cannot be sustained without confronting this record. Protection without partnership is not equality. And history, when documented honestly, does not forget.** ### Christian graves vandalized in new Kurdish attack against Assyrians in Northern Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/christian-graves-vandalized-in-new-kurdish-attack-against-assyrians-in-northern-iraq/ Last updated: 2025-12-19T06:24:15.000Z The Assyria Post delivers original content and helps shed light on developments affecting Assyrians, both in Assyria and in the diaspora. Help us reach new readers by sharing our articles and give us a follow on [X](https://x.com/AssyriaPost?ref=assyriapost.com), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/assyriapost/), and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/assyriapost/?ref=assyriapost.com). **Around 30 Assyrian** graves in a newly established cemetery in Shaqlawa, in northern Iraq, were vandalized on December 12\. Crosses and headstones on the graves were deliberately broken. Security footage from the cemetery shows a man systematically destroying the crosses and knocking down the headstones. Authorities later apprehended a suspect, who is reported to have confessed to the crime. A similar attack targeted another Shaqlawa cemetery in February 2024, prompting the local Assyrian community to install security cameras at the sites. The Assyrian Democratic Movement, the main political organization representing Assyrians in northern Iraq, said it “renews its unequivocal condemnation of all forms of attacks on religious symbols and cemeteries.” The Shaqlawa incident is part of a broader series of Kurdish attacks targeting the indigenous Assyrian population in Northern Iraq. [New attacks on Assyrian graves and church highlight pattern of impunity in Kurdish-led Northern IraqTwo new attacks on Assyrian sites in the KRG, vandalized graves in Armota and a church stoned in Deralok, have renewed concerns over rising hostility and years of impunity for crimes targeting Assyrians.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-45.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Turkey.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/new-attacks-on-assyrian-graves-and-church-highlight-pattern-of-impunity-in-kurdish-led-northern-iraq/) Earlier in December, nearly 15 Assyrian graves were vandalized in the village of Armota in the Erbil governorate, sparking anger and grief within the local community. The following day, another incident came to light when the Mar Khanana Church of the Assyrian Church of the East was splattered with mud and pelted with stones in the Deralok district of Duhok province. No suspects have been arrested or held accountable for the other attacks, reinforcing concerns that assaults targeting Assyrians are tolerated and that perpetrators are not pursued. [Kurdish group calls for destruction of Assyrian churches in leaked Telegram chatCalls to blow up churches has alarmed Assyrians as anti-Assyrian hate speech continues to rise in the KRG.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-47.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Hawpa-.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-group-calls-for-destruction-of-assyrian-churches-in-leaked-telegram-chat/) In a previous statement following one of the incidents, the Assyrian Democratic Movement said the attacks form part of a continuing pattern. “These incidents are neither sudden nor isolated, and they have never been dealt with seriously or with genuine accountability. Instead, they have recurred without deterrence, as though our rights and sacred places are permissible targets for anyone harboring hatred or ignorance in their heart.” [U.S. support for Kurds marginalizes Assyrians, activist leader saysWashington has empowered an ethno-nationalist project that marginalizes the indigenous population and enforces the kind of oppression the U.S. claims to oppose,” an Assyrian political figure has argued.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-46.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Enlil-Odisho-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/u-s-support-for-kurds-marginalizes-assyrians-political-leader-says/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/sign-up.png) ## Sign up for The Assyria Post Independent coverage of Assyria and Assyrians worldwide Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Assyrian interpreter killed in attack on US forces in Syria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-interpreter-killed-in-attack-on-us-forces-in-syria/ Last updated: 2025-12-18T06:13:28.000Z Support the Assyria Post The Assyria Post delivers original content and helps shed light on developments affecting Assyrians, both in Assyria and in the diaspora. Help us reach new readers by sharing our articles and give us a follow on [X](https://x.com/AssyriaPost?ref=assyriapost.com), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/assyriapost/), and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/assyriapost/?ref=assyriapost.com). **Ayad Mansour Kyriakos** Sakkat, an Assyrian, was killed in the terrorist attack against US forces in Palmyra on 13 December, The Detroit News has reported. Two US soldiers were also killed in the attack and a number were left injured. Sakkat, 54, was working as an interpreter for the US armed forces in Syria through an employment as an independent contractor for Virginia-based Valiant Integrated Services. His origins are from the town of Baghdede in the Nineveh Plain Region of Northern Iraq. Dina Qiryaqoz, the daughter of Sakkat, said Wednesday in a statement that her father worked for the U.S. Army during the invasion of Iraq from 2003 to 2007\. He brought his family to the United States through the Special Immigrant Visa program, where they made their home in Michigan. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-23.42.54.png) President Donald Trump paid his respects Wednesday to the two Iowa National Guard members and Sakkat, at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. "Ayad will be remembered for his generosity, integrity, sense of humor, and the deep pride he carried for his family," his family has written in his obituary. "He found joy in simple moments, listening to Fairouz in the mornings, sharing food, walking with friends, and offering kindness to everyone around him. His life was shaped by service, his heart by love, and his legacy by the strength of the family he cherished." Chairwoman Lisa McClain, representing Michigan's 9th District, commented his death on her Facebook page: "I'm devastated to learn that Ayad Mansoor Sakat, the interpreter killed in the ISIS attack on our National Guardsmen in Syria, was from Macomb Township in my district," McClain posted. President Donald Trump paid his respects Wednesday to the two Iowa National Guard members and Sakkat, joining their grieving families at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware as their remains were brought back. Sakat is survived by his wife and four adult children. [Assyrian man killed in Syria after refusing to pay extortionGeorge Ishoh, a goldsmith from an Assyrian family originally from Hasakah in the Assyrian Gozarto Region of Syria, is the latest victim of the ongoing lawlessness and security collapse in the country.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-44.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-07-13-at-22.30.59.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-man-killed-in-syria/) ### Assyrians Without Borders shifts focus toward long term aid projects URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-without-borders-shifts-focus-toward-long-term-aid-projects/ Last updated: 2026-01-15T23:37:53.000Z Sweden based aid group Assyrians Without Borders is reassessing its mission, moving away from short term projects such as Christmas gift distribution and refocusing on long term initiatives aimed at strengthening Assyrian self sufficiency. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Assyrian language program in Chicago expands to fourth year URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-language-program-in-chicago-expands-to-fourth-year/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T15:01:02.000Z **The Assyrian language** program in Chicago’s School District 219, originally launched in 2023, has been expanded to include a fourth year of instruction. As a result, the Assyrian World Language program is now a full four year sequence available to high school students across the district beginning next year. ### A successful community advocacy effort It was on November 1, 2022, that the District 219 Board of Education unanimously approved the Assyrian Language and Culture course, making Niles Township High School District 219 the first public school district in the United States to offer Assyrian as an accredited World Language option. Beginning in the 2023–2024 school year, students were able to study Assyrian to fulfill World Language requirements for graduation for the first time in the country. The decision followed a multiyear advocacy effort led by members of Chicago’s large Assyrian community. Niles Township High School District 219 serves much of the Skokie area, where a significant number of Assyrians reside. The district enrolls more than 4,600 students, and over 70 languages are spoken within the community. Approximately 60 percent of families are multilingual, with Urdu, Spanish, Assyrian, and Arabic among the most commonly spoken languages. Assyrians are estimated to make up around 30 percent of the district’s population. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-13-at-23.22.21.png) Chicago’s School District 219, centered around Skokie where many Assyrians live. The introduction of the course in the 2023–2024 school year allowed students to meet both graduation and college admission language requirements. The milestone also helped pave the way for a second Illinois district, Maine Township High School District 207, to begin offering Assyrian language courses. Christine Yousif, District 219’s first full time Assyrian teacher, [said](https://www.aasa.org/resources/blog/d219-s-assyrian-accreditation-journey?ref=assyriapost.com) the course fills a long standing gap for students. “Before this class, there was no resource available for them,” she said, adding that the program has also strengthened students’ confidence in speaking Assyrian. William Sargool, another Assyrian Language and Culture teacher, described the launch as a meaningful moment. “It was truly amazing to walk in on the first day of Assyrian class. Students were excited to finally have a space to learn more about their language and culture.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-14-at-17.33.16.png) D219 Suraye Meeting about course registrations and the expansion of the Assyrian World Language program. Photo: D219 Suraye ### California expansion The advocacy group behind the successful push in Chicago, D219Suraye is now working to expand Assyrian language education to California. In September, the group announced the formation of a dedicated committee that is collaborating with local boards of education and state officials to introduce Assyrian language courses in high schools across Stanislaus County. The Assyrian language program in Chicago’s School District 219, originally launched in 2023, has been expanded to include a fourth year of instruction. As a result, the Assyrian World Language program is now a full four year sequence available to high school students across the district. [New K–12 school to serve Sydney’s growing Assyrian communityA new K–12 Assyrian school will soon open to serve the growing community in western Sydney, becoming the third Assyrian-operated school in Australia.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-42.png)The Assyria Post\- The Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-28-at-23.21.19-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/new-k-12-school-to-serve-sydneys-growing-assyrian-community/) Support the Assyria Post The Assyria Post delivers original content and helps shed light on developments affecting Assyrians, both in Assyria and in the diaspora. Help us reach new readers by sharing our articles and give us a follow on [X](https://x.com/AssyriaPost?ref=assyriapost.com), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/assyriapost/), and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/assyriapost/?ref=assyriapost.com). ### Assyrian American Chamber of Commerce signals renewal URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-american-chamber-of-commerce-signals-renewal/ Last updated: 2025-12-13T12:49:44.000Z **The Assyrian American** Chamber of Commerce, centered in the Assyrian-American stronghold of Chicago, is on a mission to renew itself. That was the message it sought to deliver during its “Christmas Revival” event on 5 December. A lengthy [report in *Nineveh News*](https://ninevehnews.com/2025/12/08/assyrian-chambers-christmas-revival-a-hit/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOpazZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe9dV0W9Qj1Ojn5hsW0U4Z2aD1DqpD0kLNfRPuHRb1G0CNNgjxMtNPrPFQUxA%5Faem%5FLWHaumpd-MyvGXrBQMc2bA&ref=assyriapost.com) describes the event as a new start for the association, which was founded in 2014 but has been overshadowed by another, more successful Assyrian chamber in the form of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce, based in Detroit. The 5 December event brought together community members, civic leaders, and cultural advocates to signal a renewed focus on strengthening the economic, cultural, and social foundations of the Assyrian community, described as both a "celebration and a strategic mobilization". ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Robert-Dekeleita-1.png) Robert DeKelaita, Executive Director of the Assyrian American Chamber of Commerce. Photo: Assyrian Cultural Foundation ### "Lifting one another up is the foundation of a thriving community" Robert DeKelaita, Executive Director of the Assyrian American Chamber of Commerce and a highly respected community leader and lecturer, delivered the keynote address, outlining the Chamber’s mission to revitalise Chicago’s Assyrian community and bolster entrepreneurial spirit. He described the organisation as a unified voice for Assyrian business interests at the local, state, and federal levels, while also serving as a platform for networking, collaboration, and growth. DeKelaita stressed that beyond advocacy, the Chamber provides practical support to help businesses operate more effectively and works to enhance the broader economic vitality and visibility of the community. He referred to the Chamber as “the cement that aligns our business interests with both individual and collective prosperity,” and emphasised that lifting one another up is foundational to building a thriving community and nation. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/ACC-2.png) State Senator Laura Fine speaking at the Chamber's Christmas Revival event. Photo: Assyrian Chamber of Commerce. ### Expansion and professionalization Outlining future plans, DeKelaita said the Chamber is building a national network connecting Assyrian businesses in Chicago, Detroit, Arizona, and California; negotiating favourable terms with suppliers to reduce costs; advocating for policies that benefit Assyrian entrepreneurs; and coordinating with partner organisations to create a unified and influential national voice for Assyrian economic and cultural advancement. He also revealed the Chamber aims to establish a fully staffed, professionally run office that will offer consistent support to Assyrian businesses and entrepreneurs, foster a strong sense of belonging and community pride, celebrate successes, and stand with members in times of challenge. Chicago is home to one of the oldest and largest Assyrian communities in the United States, with an estimated population of around 100,000 individuals. [Assyrian Business Council of Australia: Connecting a growing diaspora through entrepreneurshipWith the second and third generations of Assyrians coming of age in Australia, the increasingly well-established community is turning its focus toward entrepreneurship.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-41.png)The Assyria Post\- The Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Networking-Event-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-business-council-of-australia-connecting-a-growing-diaspora-through-entrepreneurship/) ### Yazidi MP: We reject Kurdification URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/yazidi-mp-we-reject-kurdification/ Last updated: 2025-12-13T13:12:54.000Z **Murad Ismael, the** first Yazidi in Iraq to win a parliamentary seat independently of both Kurdish and Arab factions, has announced that he will push for the formal recognition of Yazidis as a distinct ethnicity in the country. [Addressing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMMiJrsaT-w&ref=assyriapost.com) a gathering of diaspora Yazidis in Ontario, Canada, on 9 December, Ismael accused Kurdish groups of attempting to subsume Yazidi identity by labeling the community “Yazidi-Kurds.” “We need a formal recognition of both Yazidi religion and identity,” he said, stressing that Kurdish political actors must respect Yazidis as a separate people. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Yazidies-Ontario.png) The crowd listening to the newly elected Yazidi MP in Ontario Canada. Ismael’s remarks challenge long-standing efforts by Kurdish parties to assert dominance over the Yazidi-majority region of Sinjar. Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, Yazidis have faced pressure and intimidation designed to force them to register as Kurds. Human Rights Watch, in its report [*On Vulnerable Ground*](https://www.hrw.org/report/2009/11/10/vulnerable-ground/violence-against-minority-communities-nineveh-provinces-disputed?ref=assyriapost.com), documented these tactics, stating: *“To consolidate their grip on Nineveh and to facilitate its incorporation into the KRG, Kurdish authorities have embarked on a two-pronged strategy: they have offered minorities inducements while simultaneously wielding repression in order to keep them in tow. The goal of these tactics is to push Shabak and Yazidi communities to identify as ethnic Kurds, and for Christians to abide by the Kurdish government’s plan of securing a Kurdish victory in any referendum concerning the future of the disputed territories.”* Ismael secured a general seat running on the Yazidi Cause Alliance list. He is the Co-Founder and President of Sinjar Academy, as well as the Co-Founder and former Director of Yazda, an organization dedicated to advocating for Yazidi rights. ### New water treatment plant to secure water access for the Nineveh Plain Region URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/new-water-treatment-plant-to-secure-water-access-for-the-nineveh-plain-region/ Last updated: 2025-12-11T06:14:17.000Z **The Bartella Water** Plant, which will supply a wide segment of the areas of the Nineveh Plain, was inaugurated on 7 December by Nineveh Governor Abdulqadir al-Dakhil and a number of officials. In a video released by the Governor's office, he explained that the Nineveh Plain previously relied on the Hamdaniya water treatment plant, which was established in the 1980s. With the significant increase in population, the plant could no longer meet the growing demand for water. He added that the new plant was launched to meet these needs and to provide drinking water according to the highest technical standards. The project has been funded by the German Development Bank through a loan and designed by German company Voltech. [Nineveh’s governor wants Assyrians to returnThe current governor of Nineveh says he wants Assyrians not only to stay, but to return – and he is taking concrete steps to improve life for them across the province.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-40.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Al-Dakhil-1-1.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/ninevehs-governor-wants-assyrians-to-return/) Ammar Adel Al-Maliki, Director General of the General Directorate of Water at the Ministry, confirmed in an interview with the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that “the Al-Salamiyah–Bartella pipeline project is part of externally funded infrastructure programs and has now officially entered service.*”* He also announced “significant progress on other key projects,*”* noting that the Alqosh water project has reached a 71% completion rate. Al-Maliki further revealed “promising future plans for the governorate,” including the Al-Hamdaniya–Bashiqa water project, which will have a capacity of 8,000 m³/h. He added that Iraq’s largest water project, the Sinjar–Ayadiyah–Rabia system, is also underway, designed to produce 16,000 m³/h with transmission pipelines extending up to 655 kilometers. He stressed that “the completion of this system will finally put an end to water scarcity in Nineveh.” The new water treatment plant is the latest in a series of infrastructure projects implemented for the residents of the Nineveh Plain Region since the defeat of ISIS, raising the quality of life significantly for Assyrians and other in the region. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-10-at-22.43.33.png) ### The population of the village of Surya drops to zero URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-population-of-the-village-of-surya-drops-to-zero/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T14:58:57.000Z **The historic Assyrian** village of Surya, located along the Iraq–Turkey border, has now been completely abandoned following the departure of its last remaining residents, including the village head (mukhtar). With their exit, Surya, once a vibrant Assyrian community in northern Iraq's Assyrian region has fallen silent, marking the end of an unbroken human presence that spanned generations, according to Assyrian National Broadcasting (ANB Sat). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-08-at-21.41.08-1.png) The Assyrian village of Surya marked in blue, along the Iraq-Turkey border in historical Assyria. ### Massacre and displacement Surya carries a painful legacy. In 1969, Iraqi army forces carried out the Surya Massacre, killing dozens of Assyrian villagers, among them women and children, including a number of muslims. The atrocity left a deep scar on the community and is commemorated annually by Assyrians in northern Iraq. Yet, more than five decades later, the massacre remains unrecognized and unaddressed by the Iraqi government. In recent years, Surya has faced new dangers as it was used as a hideout by the Kurdish PKK organization, designated as terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU, placing the village and its residents directly in harm’s way. In September 2020, clashes between Turkish forces and the PKK ignited fires throughout the area, and in July 2022, the village was shelled again by the Turkish military in its pursuit of PKK operatives. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/sorya_massacre_memorial_graves_kri.jpg) An Assyrian priest from the Chaldean Catholic Church prays at the grave site of the Surya Massacre. ### Economic impoverishment It is not only a massacre and continuous fighting that has affected the village. Economic impoverishment and the lack of job opportunities has done its part in driving away the inhabitants. The emptying of Surya, ANB Sat reports, underscores the hypocrisy of the Kurdish-led regional administration, which continues to proclaim its support for Assyrians while historic Assyrian villages are left to deteriorate and disappear: *“The situation raises questions about the seriousness of the regional government’s commitment to protecting Assyrians and providing them with employment opportunities, as it continues to claim support for them while historic villages remain deserted and on the brink of extinction.”* [Assyrian Party accuses Kurdish leader of neglect and injustice in open letterIn an open letter to Kurdish leader Masrour Barzani, the head of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), Yacoob Gorgis, raised concerns over the occupation of Assyrian lands and the discrimination faced by Assyrians in northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-37.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-03-at-16.17.43-6.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/a/) ### Assyrian church’s expansion in Europe continues unabated URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-churchs-expansion-in-europe-continues-unabated/ Last updated: 2025-12-08T21:54:57.000Z **The Syriac Orthodox** Church, one of five Assyrian churches, has been growing steadily across the diaspora as increasing numbers of Assyrians have sought refuge and security in Europe in recent decades, and as their diaspora born children and grandchildren are driving the growth of the communities. ### Rapid expansion in Germany The Syriac Orthodox Church is expanding quickly in Germany, reflecting the rise of the Assyrian community there, now estimated to exceed a quarter-million across all denominations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-09.48.02.png) Architects rendering of the new church and cultural center in Memmingen. In Memmingen, a town in Bavaria near the Swiss border, the community is preparing to build a new church and cultural center, a project estimated at €3.5 million, beginning in 2026. Further north, in Dietzenbach near Frankfurt am Main, a new church was consecrated earlier this year. The building, once a German Catholic church left unused for years, was purchased and transferred to the Syriac Orthodox community. A local Muslim group had sought to buy and convert it into a mosque; originally offered to them for €1.9 million, it was later purchased by the Syriac Orthodox Church for roughly €800,000 and consecrated as the Church of the Virgin Mary. [In Germany, new Assyrian communities establish themselves along older onesGermany has become a country with a significant Assyrian diaspora, with Assyrians from all denominations becoming more established.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-38.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Borken-2-1.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/in-germany-new-assyrian-communities-establish-themselves-along-older-ones/) Germany’s expansion continues, with several other communities opening or planning new churches, including in Rodgau, Heidelberg, Ahlen (Mor Gewargis), and Leipzig (Mor Severios). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Dietzenbach-church.jpg.webp) Assyrian bishops and priests cutting the ribbon with the local mayor during the consecration of the Virgin Mary Church in Dietzenbach, Germany. ### A similar development in Sweden A similar development is unfolding in Sweden, home to an Assyrian population estimated at around 200,000 or more. Here too, new parishes continue to be established after more than fifty years of Assyrian presence. On August 16, 2025, the Church of the Virgin Mary in Eskilstuna was officially consecrated, a project made possible through the efforts of local parishioners. The new church, whose foundation stone was laid in 2018, is the first Syriac Orthodox parish in the city and will serve roughly six hundred faithful. In Jönköping, a town halfway between Stockholm and Gothenburg, the Assyrian community is also seeking to build a new church and is currently in discussions with local authorities. The Syriac Orthodox Church is also building with an eye to the long term. In a small Swedish town about an hours drive south of Stockholm, an old building is being gradually renovated into what will become the country’s first Syriac Orthodox monastery. Purchased five years ago, the property is intended to become a key part of the Church’s growing infrastructure, a monastery and spiritual retreat aimed at helping young Assyrians in Sweden and the wider diaspora reconnect with the faith of their forefathers. [Assyrian monastic tradition revived in Europe with rare ceremonyIn a historic first for the Mor Jacob of Sarug Monastery in Germany, a young Assyrian has been vested as a Syriac Orthodox monk, marking a symbolic renewal of Assyrian monastic life in Europe.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-39.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_3213-1-1-1.JPG)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-monastic-tradition-revived-in-europe-with-rare-ceremony/) “We need to fill the spiritual void by giving the young an opportunity to grow spiritually: to come together, pray together, and read the Church Fathers. This is very important for us, as well as to talk about their faith and how one grows in it,” Patriarch Aphrem Karim II said in an interview with a leading Swedish magazine during his visit earlier this year. ### New attacks on Assyrian graves and church highlight pattern of impunity in Kurdish-led Northern Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/new-attacks-on-assyrian-graves-and-church-highlight-pattern-of-impunity-in-kurdish-led-northern-iraq/ Last updated: 2025-12-09T20:37:20.000Z **Nearly 15 Assyrian** graves in the village of Armota in the Erbil governorate were vandalized this week, sparking anger and grief among the local Assyrian community. Dr. Hawjin Slewa, an Assyrian resident and university lecturer, said villagers believe more than one person was involved. “We do not suspect a specific individual, but we believe it was a planned act carried out by a group,” he told 964media, an Iraqi news outlet. “We hope the perpetrators are identified as soon as possible and brought to justice.” The vandalism was discovered before noon on Dec. 4, 2025, when several Assyrian women visiting the cemetery found multiple graves damaged. The following day, another anti-Assyrian attack in the KRG came to light, as the Mar Khanana Church of the Assyrian Church of the East was splattered with mud and pelted with stones in the Deralok district of Duhok Province. These latest desecrations follow a pattern of repeated attacks on Assyrians and Assyrian places in northern Iraq’s Kurdish-ruled region. On 27 October 2017, the cemetery in the village of Enshki (Dohuk) was vandalized. On 10 February 2024, a similar attack targeted the Shaqlawa cemetery in Erbil. In all cases, including the most recent ones, no suspects have been arrested or held accountable, reinforcing the message that attacks on Assyrians are tolerated and perpetrators will not be pursued. ### **“Ethnic and religious hatred spreading in the KRG”** The Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), the main political party representing Assyrians in Iraq, issued a written statement questioning the KRG’s proclaimed commitment to peaceful coexistence. “All the media fanfare and repetitive slogans about coexistence and brotherhood quickly collapse in the face of the ethnic and religious hatred spreading among some groups within the Region. This hatred did not emerge suddenly; rather, it was nurtured by misguided policies that ignored its deep roots and attempted to beautify reality with artificial images that do not reflect the truth,” the statement read. The ADM emphasized that the incidents form part of a continuing trend: “These incidents are neither sudden nor isolated, and they have never been dealt with seriously or with genuine accountability. Instead, they have recurred without deterrence, as though our rights and sacred places are permissible targets for anyone harboring hatred or ignorance in their heart.” [Assyrian Party accuses Kurdish leader of neglect and injustice in open letterIn an open letter to Kurdish leader Masrour Barzani, the head of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), Yacoob Gorgis, raised concerns over the occupation of Assyrian lands and the discrimination faced by Assyrians in northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-36.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-03-at-16.17.43-5.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/a/) ### Swedish minister to Syria: No aid if situation of Christians not guaranteed URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/swedish-minister-to-syria-no-aid-if-situation-of-christians-not-guaranteed/ Last updated: 2025-12-05T06:36:42.000Z **Apart from meeting** with Syrian government representatives, the ministers also held talks with several representatives of ethnic and religious communities, among them Assyrian patriarch Aphrem Karim II, head of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Upon their return to Sweden, minister Benjamin Dousa announced in an interview with the local newspaper of Södertälje, which hosts a sizable Assyrian community, that the Swedish government will condition state aid to Syria on the country’s treatment of its Christian inhabitants, many of whom are Assyrians. "We stand side by side with the Christian groups and we will not accept that whatever happens to them", he is quoted as saying. Responding to a question about his impressions of the current situation for Christians, Dousa replied: "It wasn't an optimistic impression at all. One can describe the situation as insecure, cautious and that they really need international support. And this is where Sweden wants to play a role. We want to support these groups directly." The Swedish minister further explained that he has made it clear to the Syrian government that Swedish aid comes with conditions. "Personally, I was very clear towards the Syrian government; if you want support to rebuild the country, then we expect you to take these issues in all seriousness", Dousa said, adding: "If we see more attacks against minorities or of if they push Christians out of Syria they will not receive Swedish taxpayers money." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/syriens-um.png.webp) Benjamin Dousa and Johan Forsell together with Syria's foreign minister Al-Shaibani. Photo: Foto: Cassandra Lundgren/Regeringskansliet ### A notable change in policy The words of the minister, a member of the Moderate Party, a liberal-conservative, centre-right political party, have startled Assyrian-Swedish observers. Swedish governments, long dominated by the Social Democratic Party, Socialdemokraterna, have refused any meaningful support to Assyrians despite Sweden’s large Assyrian diaspora, which has been vocal on such issues. An individual with knowledge of community advocacy efforts, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that they were consistently met with the argument that Sweden cannot offer preferential treatment to certain groups, even as it was evident that Assyrians were being targeted specifically. "Our people back home are being targeted and oppressed specifically for being indigenous and Christians and meanwhile the Swedish government was telling us that they could not help them precisely because they are indigenous and Christians. It was and remains absurd, especially for a country claiming the moral high ground in humanitarian issues", the source said, adding: "This recent change is very much welcomed, and it needs to be applied to Iraq as well". ### Beth Zmirothe: Inside Antoni Korieh’s mission to preserve western Assyrian music URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/beth-zmirothe-inside-antoni-koriehs-mission-to-preserve-western-assyrian-music/ Last updated: 2025-12-13T13:03:20.000Z **Created by Belgian-Assyrian** Antoni Korieh, the project now reaches close to 13,000 followers on Instagram and has accumulated nearly 70,000 likes on TikTok, bringing traditional Assyrian songs to a new generation across the global diaspora. Korieh was born and raised in Belgium while his family roots trace directly back to the Assyrian homeland, his father originates from Zalin (Qamishli) in Syria's Gozarto Region, while his mother comes from the village of Kfarze in Turkish Assyria's Tur Abdin Region. Despite growing up in the diaspora, he was surrounded from a young age by Assyrian language, music, and oral history within his household, an environment that laid the foundation for his deep connection to cultural preservation. His involvement in church youth activities and Assyrian community circles ultimately led to the creation of Beth Zmirothe. What began as a simple project during quarantine quickly took on a life of its own. With increased time at home during the pandemic, Korieh started sharing old Assyrian songs online. As engagement grew, he began adding moody background videos and lyrics so listeners could sing along. Soon after, translations were introduced, opening the door for younger Assyrians, many of whom no longer speak the language fluently, to understand the deep meaning behind the songs they were hearing. The platform evolved organically from casual sharing into a structured effort to protect and transmit Assyrian musical heritage. The combination of evocative background images and videos, songs and lyrics have proven to be a highly appreciated concept drawing a lot of praise and positive emotions. Antoni Korieh in a recent interview with Zalge TV. Today, Beth Zmirothe, which exists solely on TikTok and Instagram, remains focused on Western Assyrian music. Korieh has long believed that these songs, particularly older pieces, have suffered from limited production, exposure, and recognition compared to their Eastern Assyrian counterparts. His aim is to restore balance by giving Western Assyrian music the attention it deserves. At the same time, Beth Zmirothe operates in close coordination with leading Eastern Assyrian platforms such as [Lishani Song](https://www.instagram.com/lishanisong/?hl=en&ref=assyriapost.com) and [AssyrianLyrics](https://assyrianlyrics.com/?utm%5Fsource=ig&utm%5Fmedium=social&utm%5Fcontent=link%5Fin%5Fbio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn7pV-8TTtieteL8OhGb2WHJpj7EZcAFwqT7LiKDSdRZu2Lpzol89gfUtXeY8%5Faem%5FSxQFYsYfbXLE6D4%5Fy3cbnw). Rather than competition, these pages collaborate to reinforce the message that Assyrians remain one nation and one people, regardless of dialect. While several future initiatives are in development, specific projects have not yet been publicly announced. For now, Beth Zmirothe continues to focus on consistent content, sharing musical heritage through short-form videos and translated lyrics that resonate deeply with Assyrians across generations. As the platform continues to grow, further cultural projects are expected to naturally emerge. More than just a social media page, Beth Zmirothe has become a digital home for Assyrian music, a space where memory, identity, language, and melody come together. For thousands across the diaspora, it now serves as a bridge between past and present, ensuring that Assyrian songs and artists such as Habib Mousa, Ninib Lahdo, Pascal Bachir and Jan Karat continue to live, breathe, and inspire the next generation. You can follow Beth Zmirothe on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/beth.zmirothe/?ref=assyriapost.com) and [Tiktok](https://www.tiktok.com/@beth.zmirothe?ref=assyriapost.com), as well as listen to their curated playlist on Spotify below. ### Kurdish lawlessness on full display as Assyrian-owned business gets demolished URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-lawlessness-on-full-display-as-assyrian-owned-business-gets-demolished/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T06:00:22.000Z **“Roben Kunafa,” a** popular restaurant in the city of Nohadra (Dohuk), in Northern Iraq’s Kurd-dominated Assyrian region, was demolished under heavy security deployment during a late-night operation on 30 November. The restaurant’s owner, Assyrian businessman Roben Markos, released a [video](https://www.facebook.com/100002512221583/videos/1558372238514089) on social media shortly afterward, issuing a direct public appeal to KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani for justice. Visibly distressed, Markos said: “If you cannot find a solution for us, then the land and the homeland is yours, but we will leave it. I have been humiliated, and I saw my life being destroyed before my own eyes.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Roben-Kunafa.jpg) Roben Markos at his restaurant. Photo: Social media Markos confirmed that his restaurant was not built on public land and that it was operating under a formal legal contract. “My money and my future were burned before my eyes,” he said. “And the humiliation I was subjected to, I will never forget for the rest of my life”, he said, surrounded by his employees and holding up the official registration papers to the camera. ### **A display of Kurdish corruption and lawlessness** Markos’ appeal, delivered in Kurdish, reached Areen Barzani, the 25-year-old son of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. In a new video released on Monday, 1 November, Markos, now visibly relieved, said that Areen Barzani had promised him he would get back his restaurant and that the issue had been resolved. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/12/Assyria-011-2.png) Left: Roben Markos appealing to the Barzani clan for justice. Right: Areen Barzani. Photo: social media/[mrmemoiq](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Areenmb.jpg?ref=assyriapost.com) The episode is emblematic of the dysfunctional and arbitrary tribal structure nurtured and protected for decades by the US and other Western powers. The demolition of a lawful business and its subsequent “restoration” by a young man who holds no public office – and whose sole qualification is being the son of the prime minister and a member of the ruling clan – speaks volumes about the kind of lawless and oppressive entity the West continues to support at the expense of the indigenous Assyrian population. In this clan-based system, permeated by arbitrariness and corruption, Assyrians – being the weakest link – are persistently placed at a disadvantage. This reality is reflected in the steadily shrinking Assyrian population of Northern Iraq. Facing systematic harassment and dispossession in various forms, many Assyrians have been forced to abandon the region. [KRG exploits visit of Assyrians in PR blitz amid land grabs, discrimination accusationsAssyrian-American activist Sam Darmo insists his visit to Northern Iraq will bring tangible benefits to the Assyrian people. Yet critics argue that the true beneficiaries are not the oppressed, but their oppressors.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-35.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-17-at-13.32.14.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/krg-exploits-visit-of-assyrians-in-pr-blitz-amid-land-grabs-discrimination-accusations/) ### **Systematic oppression and economic exploitation** While the demolition of this Assyrian-owned restaurant may appear to be an isolated incident, economic warfare against Assyrians by Kurds in Northern Iraq is part of a broader system designed to weaken the Assyrian demographic presence by limiting economic opportunities. As part of this ongoing pressure, Assyrians face systemic barriers to public employment; Assyrian business owners are subjected to discriminatory extortion; and [permits to build or expand homes and businesses are routinely denied](https://www.aei.org/op-eds/stop-giving-iraqi-kurds-a-free-pass-on-religious-freedom/?ref=assyriapost.com) unless Barzani-loyalists or Kurdish partners are included. The list of discriminatory practices is long, as is the number of documented cases – seen in this [report](https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/4ec518%5F18285c91d7924250aa1c52b0b4c7da9f.pdf?ref=assyriapost.com) and many others. Eager to conceal this systematic oppression and instead project an image of a successful, inclusive society, the Kurdish leadership engages in a constant PR campaign, facilitating the building of churches and performing other token gestures, all while Assyrians continue to suffer on their own ancestral lands. [KRG Imposes Discriminatory New Regulation on Assyrians in AnkawaThe Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has imposed a discriminatory new regulation requiring all business owners from the Assyrian-majority city of Ankawa, located in the Erbil Province, to renew their business licenses with the Director of the Erbil Center District for a fee. This new regulation applies exclusively to Ankawa, despite the fact that a total of ten districts are under the Erbil Center District’s jurisdiction. Previously, business owners from Ankawa were able to renew their licens![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/pfavico-4.ico)Assyrian PolicyAssyrian Policy Institute![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6ae567_82966fc3c8764198829b84367c0a34ea~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_768,h_360,al_c,lg_1,q_80/6ae567_82966fc3c8764198829b84367c0a34ea~mv2.jpg)](https://www.assyrianpolicy.org/post/krg-imposes-new-discriminatory-regulation-on-assyrians-in-ankawa?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Charbel Shamoon nets debut goal in Australian A-League URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/charbel-shamoon-nets-debut-goal-in-australian-a-league/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T06:27:23.000Z **Shamoon's journey to** this moment has been built through representing both Iraq and Australia at youth level - debuting in the A-League with Western United, before signing a two year contract with Perth Glory earlier this year. ### From Youth Ranks to A-League Debut Born in 2004 in Syria, Shamoon spent his early football years in Australia, including time with youth clubs such as Melbourne City FC, before joining the academy of Western United FC. In 2024, after impressing in the youth ranks and National Premier Leagues (NPL) side, he was rewarded with a senior squad inclusion at Western United and made his A-League Men debut in February 2024. Following his initial breakthrough, Shamoon signed his first professional contract at Western United, cementing his place as a promising young defender. > Gee - How about this for your first A-Leagues goal 😲🎯 Charbel Shamoon, take a bow! > > Top stuff from the full-back, who puts Perth on the brink of back-to-back wins for the first time since 2023! > > Stream [#MACvPER](https://twitter.com/hashtag/MACvPER?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=assyriapost.com) live now on Paramount+ 📺 > > Follow live: [https://t.co/cLt7XqS0uv](https://t.co/cLt7XqS0uv?ref=assyriapost.com) [pic.twitter.com/yxCkBQn2sk](https://t.co/yxCkBQn2sk?ref=assyriapost.com) > > — Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) [November 30, 2025](https://twitter.com/aleaguemen/status/1995052529860948164?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=assyriapost.com) ### International Recognition – Choosing Iraq Though eligible for Australia, Shamoon opted to represent Iraq at international level. He had previously featured for the Iraq under-20 national team, reaching the final of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup in 2013, narrowly losing to Uzbekistan 1-0\. Shamoon was called up to the Australian U23 Olympic squad, before committing to the Iraq national team, debuting against Palestine in March 2025, a 2-1 loss in Amman, Jordan. In September 2025, after Western United’s club participation agreement was suspended, Shamoon signed a two-year deal with Perth Glory. He adapted quickly. In just a few matches for his new club, he scored the goal that not only marked his first in the A-League, but also helped secure a vital away win. Versatile and athletic, Shamoon can play on either flank as a full-back or wing-back, offering Perth flexible defensive options. Charbel Shamoon stands out as a player with great potential to transition to a club in Europe. He joins other Assyrian footballers in the A-League such as former Western Sydney Wanderers, Newcastle Jets, and Central Coast Mariners player Mario Shabow, and Macarthur FC player Frans Deli, as one of three Assyrians having played in the Australian A-League. ### ADM expels Yonadam Kanna amid deepening internal rift URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/adm-expels-yonadam-kanna-amid-deepening-internal-rift/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T06:05:33.000Z **In a dramatic** turn of events, Yonadam Kanna, the former secretary-general of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), the main Assyrian political group in Iraq, has been expelled from the very movement he helped found. The ADM says the decision was necessary in light of recent statements and actions Kanna has undertaken, which it says run counter to its constitution and principles. The decision, announced by current secretary-general Yacoob Gorgis during an interview on the Noqza Assyrian talk show, follows an escalating confrontation between the former ADM leader and the movement’s current leadership. In a recent lengthy interview with Assyria TV’s Zaya Yaro, Kanna shared his view of the dramatic developments. According to him, the problems began when the current leadership brought in 37 new members and granted them full voting rights in the movement’s general conference, an action he says violates the ADM’s internal rules. Without spelling it out explicitly, the former ADM secretary-general alluded to the move being part of an internal power struggle, one that shifted the voting balance away from the faction loyal to him through the inclusion of new members he claims do not qualify. The move prompted Kanna and his supporters to boycott the movement’s 11th general conference, deepening divisions between the two factions. The rift became acute and spilled into public view with the approach of Iraq’s parliamentary elections held in early November this year. ### **"They are incompetent"** Throughout the interview, Kanna portrayed the current leadership as incompetent and inactive. He claims the new leadership has failed to achieve its goals across four national and regional elections since he stepped down. He accused them of lacking an active presence, particularly in Baghdad, where he says decisions are made, saying:"If you want to change a law you have to be in parliament, not outside and complain." He further accused the leadership of alienating Assyrians from the Syriac and Chaldean churches through a more forceful assertion of Assyrian identity, implying a lack of diplomatic approach and experience. Kanna also criticized the ADM leadership for attempting to present itself as the force behind the return of the NPU to the Nineveh Plain Region, saying that it was mainly church pressure and claiming instead that he personally had played a behind-the-scenes role. ### **"No agreement with the KDP"** Kanna categorically denied claims that he has brokered a deal with the KDP, the Kurdish political party controlled by the Barzanis. *"It's not true, this is a lie and they should be ashamed of themselves for claiming this."* He says the coordination is instead with a council consisting of Turkmen, Sunni groups, and the KDP. He also rejected claims that Emad Youkhanna, the Assyrian quota seat winner from Kirkuk, received 17,000 votes from the KDP through its forces, insisting that the votes came from various groups, not only the KDP. He portrayed his role in securing Emad Youkhanna’s victory for the Assyrian quota seat in Kirkuk as precisely the kind of proactive work the ADM should have undertaken. He further argued that his actions, as well as Youkhanna’s decision to run, do not violate the ADM’s formal boycott of the elections. According to Kanna, the boycott explicitly barred only members of the leadership from contesting seats, implying that Youkhanna, who currently holds no formal position within the ADM, was not bound by this decision. ### **"They cannot expel me"** Responding to Yako Yako’s announcement of his exclusion, made during a live talk show, Kanna said he has not received anything in writing. *"I haven't received any official letter expelling me, which shows the level of unproffiosnality,"* he said. When the presenter noted that the ADM claims the letter was sent to his email and asked whether he could check his inbox, Kanna insisted that no one can expel him. *"They cannot expel me, for it to be according to the rules and regulations of the ADM it needs to be voted by a general conference."* ### **Towards a permanent split?** In the interview, Kanna avoided blaming his successor directly, placing responsibility instead on figures around Yacoob Gorgis, whom he said have their own agenda and have placed him in this position. *"Some of them were not even born when we established the ADM, and they will teach me about the path of the ADM?"* he said in a dismissive tone. He revealed that 200 current ADM members have signed a document complaining about the current leadership’s actions, suggesting that several hundred more share the sentiment but chose not to sign. *"What they will decide to do going forward I don't know, but they can count on my support,"* he said, his clearest indication yet of a potential formal split. At the same time, he proposed that a special general conference could be convened to resolve the conflict. ### **A precedent** The ADM has experienced splits before. In 2013, disillusioned members defected to form the Sons of Mesopotamia political party, citing mistrust and misguided leadership under Kanna, a monopolization of authority, continued violations of party principles and regulations, and strategic disagreements. In March 2024, it was announced that the party would dissolve in order to reunify with the ADM following the election of Yacoob Gorgis as general secretary. ### Two decades online: Assyrian dictionary to mark 20th anniversary URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/two-decades-online-assyrian-dictionary-to-mark-20th-anniversary/ Last updated: 2025-11-30T07:11:39.000Z > "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" **The online dictionaries** hosted at [**assyrianlanguages.org**](https://assyrianlanguages.org/sureth/index.php?ref=assyriapost.com) are among the most enduring community projects dedicated to the preservation of Assyrian heritage. Conceived in France by the Association Assyrophile de France (AAF), the association began with the digitization of printed resources and gradually expanded into two major online tools: first the Akkadian–French/English dictionary, and later the Assyrian dictionary based on the Sureth dialect. The Akkadian dictionary, which preceded the Assyrian project, today contains nearly 11,000 entries and attracts a significant audience. It consistently records more visitors than the Assyrian dictionary, which has grown to nearly 49,000 entries. Both tools illustrate how modest resources combined with steady perseverance can sustain platforms that benefit learners, teachers, and researchers worldwide. ### Nurtured by one man's devotion At the heart of these efforts is Jean-Paul Sliva, an Assyrian whose grandparents were among the first to settle in France and a honorary and founding member of the AAF. Based in southern France, he has been enriching the databases for years, word after word, in what he describes as a long-term commitment rather than a finished project. He often quotes a biblical phrase that has become emblematic of his mission: *“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,”* in a reference to the fact that few Assyrians have been able to keep up with his consistency and work to maintain and expand the dictionaries. The project had its origins at a conference for foreign languages spoken in France where Jean-Paul Sliva met Olivier Lauffenburger, a talented computer programmer whose many hobbies included the Akkadian and Hittite languages. Lauffenburger had developed a Hittite website and had thus acquired the skills of dealing with cuneiform characters on screen displays. Association Assyrophile, having quite a few documents about Akkadian, suggested they join their effort. Lauffenburger agreed and wrote a program to create an Akkadian-English-French dictionary. Based on this work, Association Assyrophile and Lauffenburger were quickly able to begin the Assyrian dictionary project in 2006\. What started as a modest project will celebrate 20 years of continuous existence next year, making it one of the longest-serving Assyrian online resources – if not the oldest. Over time, Jean-Paul Sliva has developed his own knowledge of linguistics to be able to feed the dictionaries. Yet, as he himself acknowledges, he cannot do everything alone. “I am not a specialist of the language. I have learned a lot, but often I need to reach out to more experienced contributors, people who can provide corrections or insights that I could not find on my own,” he explains. This reliance on a network of contributors is both a necessity and a strength: it can slow down the pace of enrichment, but it also ensures that the content gains in precision and reliability. Olivier Lauffenburger, the technical backbone of the project who created the software on which both dictionaries run, has proven to be a key ally. He continues to provide steady technical support whenever needed. The Association Assyrophile de France also provides minimal but essential financial backing, covering logistical costs such as hosting and server maintenance. Beyond that, however, the projects have no institutional funding. All work is voluntary, and their continuity depends entirely on the persistence of a handful of individuals. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Namnl--s-design-3--kopia--1.png) ### "They belong to everyone who cares about the language" What makes these online dictionaries remarkable is their international dimension. Although initiated in France, they are used daily from Europe, North America, Australia, and the Middle East. For many in the Assyrian diaspora, they have become indispensable tools for reconnecting with a linguistic heritage that is often absent from formal curricula. The international aspect also manifests itself in the correspondence received by the team. Users send technical questions, suggest corrections, or ask broader clarifications about the language. As Sliva observes: “The correspondence we receive shows that the dictionaries belong to everyone who cares about these languages. They are no longer just French initiatives; they are truly international.” Always on the lookout for a helping hand, he says: "If someone is willing to lend a hand – whether in linguistics, technical support, or simply by contributing their knowledge – they are more than welcome”. Both the Akkadian and Assyrian dictionaries remain works in progress, constantly enriched and corrected. Balancing modern and classical Assyrian, and occasionally linking cognates with related languages, requires patience and rigor. For Jean-Paul Sliva, the challenge is as much about time as about resources. Yet he insists on the necessity of the effort: “Every new word we add makes the dictionary more useful. It is slow, but it is continuous", he says, adding: "That is the most important thing.” ### Criticism against the New Midyat Project: They haven't consulted with us URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/criticism-against-the-new-midyat-project-they-havent-consulted-with-us/ Last updated: 2025-11-29T07:30:40.000Z > "Assyrians have not been asked a single question about these plans" **The “New Midyat Project,”** a planned urban neighborhood in Midyat, an originally Assyrian town in southeastern Turkey, marketed toward the diaspora, has drawn mounting criticism from Assyrian commentators and local residents. [Midyat governor courts diaspora Assyrians with new housing developmentThe governor of Midyat in southeast Turkey’s Tur Abdin Region hopes a new housing project on the city’s outskirts will bring diaspora Assyrians back to invest.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-34.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-11-08-at-22.16.18-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/midyat-governor-courts-diaspora-assyrians-with-new-housing-development/) The project, consisting of 478 residential units, has been drafted by the Municipality of Midyat in cooperation with Turkish state agencies. What has triggered the most concern, however, is that a development ostensibly intended for Assyrians has been planned without any consultation with Assyrians themselves. Speaking to Assyria TV, Simon Poli, who was raised in Midyat and still spends part of the year there, said no Assyrians were involved at any stage of the planning process. “It’s conceived entirely by the mayor of Midyat, Veysi Şahin, without any dialogue with any Assyrians at any point,” Poli said. Reflecting the lack of Assyrian input, several observers have questioned the choice of location. The proposed neighborhood sits adjacent to an area dominated by the Mhalmi community, Arabic-speaking Muslims. Critics ask why Assyrians would choose such a site over investment in their own ancestral villages scattered throughout the Tur Abdin Region. The inclusion of both a mosque and a church in the development has also provoked debate. “We already have many churches in the region, too many to fill, why build a new one?” Poli asked. “We have seven Assyrian churches in Midyat alone. There is no need for another.” Discussing the proposed housing prices, Poli argued that economic motives, not community development, appear to be driving the project. He described the pricing of the units as “quite high for the region,” and doubted that Assyrians would actually purchase them. “I don’t believe any Assyrian will buy houses there. It would be better to support development projects in the existing Assyrian villages,” he concluded. ### Direct flights set to make travel to Assyria easier URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/direct-flights-set-to-make-travel-to-assyria-easier/ Last updated: 2025-11-28T06:14:13.000Z The government of Turkey officially upgraded Mardin Airport to full international status in May 2025, reportedly following requests by Assyrian representatives lobbying for direct international flights to southeastern Turkey's Assyrian region. The change, widely welcomed by Assyrians, significantly eases travel for members of the diaspora who wish to visit their ancestral homeland, avoiding costly and time-consuming layovers and stopovers. Despite the official upgrade, direct international flights have yet to become available. Officials in Mardin say they are in talks with several carriers, but that ultimately the decision is now in the hands of the airlines, who must assess economic feasibility. “To hurry up the process, people should intentionally search for direct flights in search engines, as flight companies use such metrics to determine interest in a certain route,” one official from Mardin said, asserting that it is only a matter of time before direct international flights begin. With international flights expected soon, the upgraded airport is anticipated to stimulate economic growth, tourism, and cultural reconnection in the region. An estimated seven hundred thousand to one million diaspora Assyrians have roots in the wider area. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Sk--rmavbild-2025-11-27-kl.-22.43.56.png) Interior of the newly reopened Mosul International airport. ### Reopening of Mosul airport to offer direct access to Nineveh Plain Mosul International Airport has officially reopened to passengers, with the first flight, a domestic route operated by Iraqi Airways arriving from Baghdad International Airport on 6 November 2025\. The reopening marks the resumption of civilian air service to the city, more than a decade after the airport was shut down following the takeover by ISIS in 2014\. Reconstruction began in 2022; the renovated airport, with upgraded terminals and infrastructure, is expected to handle around 630,000 passengers per year. Airport officials say the facility is now technically and logistically ready, and they plan to restore international flights “in the near future.” The reopening represents a major milestone in the broader recovery of Mosul. For diaspora Assyrians the airport offers the closest point to access the Nineveh Plain in Iraq's Assyrian region, and an alternative to Arbil International airport. ### Shimsha Project aims to bring solar power to Assyrian villages URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/shimsha-project-aims-to-bring-solar-power-to-assyrian-villages/ Last updated: 2025-11-27T22:06:41.000Z **The Shimsha Project**, a newly established Assyrian-American nonprofit, has launched an initiative to bring off-grid solar power to villages and towns across Iraqi Assyria, where electricity remains unreliable or altogether absent in many communities. Founded by Anthony Dawood, a U.S.-based solar and battery professional, the project’s first phase aims to install 15 hybrid mini-split systems, units capable of cooling buildings in summer, powered largely by solar panels and battery storage. The systems are designed to operate essentially off-grid, offering consistent comfort in regions where state power frequently fails. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Sk--rmavbild-2025-11-26-kl.-23.27.00.png) Anthony Dawood in Iraqi Assyria. Photo: Shimsha Project According to the organization, the units will be installed inside Assyrian churches and schools across northern Iraq, addressing what the group describes as a basic but urgent need for stable power infrastructure in community hubs. Dawood says the inspiration came during a 2023 visit to the Assyrian homeland. “That trip changed my life,” he recalls. > "When I returned to the United States, I couldn't shake what I saw. As someone who works in solar and energy storage at EG4 Electronics, I knew I could do more than just reflect — I could act. I could power a solution." The [Shimsha Project](https://www.shimshaproject.org/?ref=assyriapost.com) has since received approval as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, meaning all donations from U.S. contributors are tax-deductible. ### **Electricity Crisis in Assyrian Villages** The organization estimates that more than 80 Assyrian villages in northern Iraq suffer from unreliable access to electricity — a situation that strains local families, hinders schooling, and contributes to ongoing emigration from the region. For many Assyrian communities, basic stability in electricity is directly linked to residents’ ability and willingness to remain in their ancestral villages. Phase One of the project carries a budget of roughly $74,000 USD. As of this writing, just under $4,000 has been raised through the project’s online donation platform. ### **Partnering with Shlama Foundation** For on-the-ground implementation, the Shimsha Project has partnered with the Shlama Foundation, a widely respected Assyrian humanitarian organization known for its extensive development work in the Nineveh Plains and surrounding regions. Shlama’s local solar team, Shlama Green Energy, has already completed multiple renewable-energy projects in Assyrian towns, including the installation of 30 solar water pumps and 135 solar streetlights across six villages, all of which remain operational. Before USAID funding was cut, Shlama also led several other solar and water initiatives across the region. The Shimsha Project says this existing expertise will ensure that installations are durable, locally serviced, and cost-effective. While Iraq has recently increased nationwide investment in large-scale solar projects, Assyrian villages remain largely dependent on local initiatives and NGOs to fill infrastructure gaps. Community-driven efforts like the Shimsha Project, organizers argue, are essential for preserving a stable Assyrian presence in the homeland. The organization hopes that the first round of installations will serve as a model for expanding solar-powered heating and cooling to dozens more Assyrian communities in the years ahead. --- *Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct an error in the original version about the number of street lights installed by Shlama Foundation.* ### Assyrian-Australian boxer Alex Naman captures new title URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-australian-boxer-alex-naman-captures-new-title/ Last updated: 2025-11-26T06:23:20.000Z **Assyrian-Australian boxer** Alex Naman has extended his undefeated professional record, improving to 9–0, after defeating Filipino fighter Kevin Aseniero to claim the IBO Oceania-Orient Super Bantamweight title, in a main-event bout at La Castelle Venue in Sydney, Australia. Naman, who already held the WBC Australasian Silver title from his previous fight, earned his latest belt in a hard-fought performance, demonstrating his skill and resilience under pressure. Born in Athens, Greece, Naman's family fled Iraqi Assyria amid conflict and emigrated to Western Sydney when Alex was just two years old. At the age of ten, he lost his father - a loss he says forced him to grow up quickly and shoulder responsibility for his younger sibling. His entry into boxing came via cousin and fellow professional boxer, John Kaena, who signed him up to train at Western Sydney Fight Club under Assyrian coach Jason Soro. What started as an outlet for teenage energy soon became his professional calling. “It gave my life purpose and meaning,” Naman has told The Northern Daily. Since turning pro in 2024 after a 16-bout amateur career (including several title fights), he has remained unbeaten. ### Young creators use social media to teach Assyrian URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/young-creators-use-social-media-to-teach-assyrian/ Last updated: 2025-11-25T06:34:39.000Z Across the diaspora, young Assyrians are turning to social media to reconnect with their heritage, and two rising creators are leading the way. Anton Roberts and Malaak Massoud, who teach Eastern Assyrian (Sureth) and Western Assyrian (Sureyt) respectively, have become influential voices for a generation eager to reclaim their language. ### Teaching the Language They Once Struggled to Hold Anton Roberts, born in Sydney to an Anglo-Australian father and an Assyrian mother, represents a story familiar to many in the diaspora. English dominated his upbringing, except for the precious moments spent with his grandmother, who spoke exclusively in Assyrian. Anton understood every word – yet, like countless diaspora children, he responded in English. That passive fluency would later shape his mission to become fully proficient. Determined to bridge a gap he once felt, Anton now dedicates his work to helping young Assyrians who, like him, grew up unable to speak the language confidently. Today, Anton has built a thriving digital classroom with nearly 13,000 followers and more than 200,000 likes on TikTok. His content ranges from vocabulary and grammar lessons to dialectal nuances within Eastern Assyrian. His youth-led, relatable approach resonates strongly with learners who feel empowered when they see someone their age speaking Assyrian with confidence. Anton’s own literacy journey reflects the intergenerational effort required to keep the language alive, learning from his mother and grandmother, and teaching himself through textbooks. In 2023, he visited Assyria for the first time with Gishru, a journey that deepened his connection to the culture he now teaches online. [A young Assyrian teaching the Assyrian language on TikTok17-year-old Anton Roberts has amassed over 7500 followers on his TikTok account, where he teaches his followers how to speak Assyrian.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/app-icon_192x192-5d5e260-3.png)SBS Language![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/90-4)](https://www.sbs.com.au/language/assyrian/en/podcast-episode/a-young-assyrian-teaching-the-assyrian-language-on-tiktok/ly62p7y6h?ref=assyriapost.com) ### A Shared Mission: Preserving Both Branches of the Language While Anton champions the Eastern dialect, Malaak Massoud, widely known online as *Syriac Malaak*, has taken on the vital task of promoting and teaching Western Assyrian (Sureyt). Together, they represent the two main branches of a language that UNESCO classifies as endangered. Malaak’s path into linguistic activism began quietly. Born in Beth Zalin(Qamishli) in the Gozarto region of Syria and raised in Boston, she grew up far from a large Assyrian community. Slowly, she came to understand her identity and the differences between herself and her Syrian, non-Assyrian peers. “The Assyrian community in Boston is very small, so there were very few people to connect with and relate to,” she told Zalge TV. “I became envious of Assyrians in countries like Sweden who seem to have a lot of cultural activities, something I wish we had here in Boston as well.” Despite these challenges, her family and church played key roles in shaping her linguistic foundation: “I picked up the Assyrian language mostly from my family’s side, but also to some extent through the church.” Malaak initially posted general content about Syria and the Middle East, until one casual mention of her Assyrian identity changed everything. Viewers flooded her with questions about the language and culture. That moment became the catalyst for her focused Assyrian-language platform. What began with simple vocabulary posts quickly evolved into structured lessons, dialect comparisons, cultural explanations, and uplifting content for youth reconnecting with their roots. Today she has nearly 9,000 followers and 900,000 likes on TikTok, where she teaches Western Assyrian vocabulary, compares the Eastern and Western dialects, and discusses cultural topics ranging from the history of the Assyrian flag to Syriac Orthodox traditions. > [@antonklroberts](https://www.tiktok.com/@antonklroberts?refer=creator%5Fembed&ref=assyriapost.com) > [@syriacmalaak](https://www.tiktok.com/@syriacmalaak?refer=creator%5Fembed&ref=assyriapost.com) ### Reviving an epic: Assyrian Arts Institute brings Gilgamesh to the opera stage URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/reviving-an-epic-assyrian-arts-institute-brings-gilgamesh-to-the-opera-stage/ Last updated: 2025-11-25T21:42:15.000Z The Assyrian Arts Institute (AAI), the U.S.-based organization founded in 2017 by Assyrian-American entrepreneur Nora Betyousef Lacey to champion the artistic legacy of Assyria, is advancing one of its most ambitious initiatives yet: the transformation of the Epic of Gilgamesh into a full-length opera. The planned 120-minute production seeks to animate the legendary journey of the demigod king of ancient Uruk, weaving together motifs of seduction, war, love, and humanity’s timeless quest for immortality. Structured as an operatic prologue followed by two dramatic acts, the AAI says the work *“promises to captivate audiences and resonate across generations.”* As part of its development process, the Institute hosted a free preview of select scenes on November 20 at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Funded primarily by Harvard University, the event reached full capacity within three days, according to the AAI. A recording from a performance at a fundraising event in September. AAI/Youtube The preview included remarks by Eckart Frahm, John M. Musser Professor of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations at Yale University. Frahm discussed the original Gilgamesh tablets and the discovery of King Ashurbanipal’s Royal Library at Nineveh, drawing from his recent book, *Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Empire*. ### The Creative Team The opera brings together a distinguished team of artists and scholars. Nora Betyousef Lacey, Founder and Executive Director of the AAI, serves as the project’s executive producer. The music is composed and conducted by Derrick Skye, whose works have been commissioned or performed by leading ensembles such as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the London Philharmonic, the Netherlands Philharmonic, and Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. Serving as Artistic Director and Librettist is Diana Farrell, an Assyrian artist and the Founding Artistic Director of Lyric Opera of Orange County. Rounding out the core team is Dr. Eve Sada, an Assyrian ethnomusicologist who contributes as Dramaturg and Cultural Advisor, ensuring the production’s cultural authenticity and depth. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/IMG_3233-1.JPG) Presentation of the creative team. Photo: AAI ### Los Angeles Premiere The AAI emphasizes that live performance is essential to the project, offering an immersive environment that *“fosters a stronger emotional bond and sparks the imagination of viewers.”* Citing research on audience engagement, the Institute notes that people connect more deeply with live artistic experiences than with recorded or digital media. With California home to one of the world’s largest Assyrian communities, the Institute has chosen to premiere Gilgameshat the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles on March 28, 2026, followed by plans for an international tour. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Sk--rmavbild-2025-11-24-kl.-00.26.29-1.png) The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles While the premiere highlights the Assyrian diaspora, the AAI stresses that the opera is intended for audiences everywhere. *“In this critical moment, as Assyrians face an uncertain future in their homeland, the goal is to expand and amplify creative expression, making art a powerful tool to keep the Assyrian identity visible and vibrant,”* the Institute writes. The Epic of Gilgamesh, among humanity’s oldest surviving literary works, was inscribed on twelve cuneiform tablets unearthed during 19th-century excavations of ancient Assyrian sites. These tablets, once housed in the famed Library of King Ashurbanipal, are today preserved at the British Museum in London. The opera seeks to bring this world treasure to the stage, renewing its resonance for modern audiences while celebrating the enduring heritage of Assyria. --- *Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct an error in the original version about the venue shown in the screenshot and video clip.* ### As Turkification recedes - Kurdification steps in URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/as-turkification-retreats-kurdification-steps-in/ Last updated: 2025-11-23T07:11:00.000Z **The recent restoration** of the historic Assyrian name of the village of Arbo in the Tur Abdin Region has been greeted with pride and relief across the Assyrian world. Yet the sense of long-awaited restitution quickly dimmed when the new road sign was unveiled. The sign – reading *“Welcome to Arbo”* first in Turkish, followed by Assyrian, Kurdish, Arabic, and English – has prompted fresh questions about the intentions of the Nusaybin Municipality, governed by the DEM Party, a Kurdish entity widely seen as the political arm of the PKK guerrilla movement. Conflicts over language on road signs have simmered across southeastern Turkey for years. In 2014, several Kurdish-language signs installed by municipalities led by the same political movement were removed by state authorities, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue. [Arbo becomes second Assyrian village to shed Turkish-imposed nameAn Assyrian village in Turkey’s Assyrian heartland has successfully petitioned to restore its original name, raising hopes that others may soon follow.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-32.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-10-26-at-21.18.44.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/arbo-becomes-second-assyrian-village-to-shed-turkish-imposed-name/) ### A subtle attempt at Kurdification? While many observers might interpret a multilingual road sign as a gesture of inclusivity, many Assyrians, shaped by centuries of displacement, coercion, and demographic pressure, see something else: a quiet attempt at creeping Kurdification. On discussion forums and in community media, Assyrians point out that Arbo, and the wider area known as Turo d’Izlo, consist entirely of Assyrian villages. No Kurdish communities live in Arbo or its surrounding. This raises an obvious question: Why include languages that are not spoken in the village or its environs? For decades, Kurdish nationalist movements, whether in their armed or political forms, have claimed the entire southeast of Turkey as Kurdish territory. Critics say that inserting Kurdish into signage for a wholly Assyrian village reinforces that narrative symbolically. Municipal officials justify the use of Kurdish and Arabic by noting that these languages are spoken elsewhere in the district. However, residents told The Post that in majority-Kurdish villages, welcome signs do not include Assyrian, raising the question of why Kurdish should be included in an Assyrian village where no Kurds live. The addition of Arabic, a language rarely spoken in the area, has deepened suspicion. Some residents argue that including Arabic helps veil the political messaging: had Kurdish been the only added language, the intent might have appeared too transparent. With Arabic present, the sign can be framed as a gesture toward “diversity” rather than a political assertion. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/580531827_3172978792866687_5976641635909327480_n-1.jpg) Locals from the village of Arbo and representatives of the Nusaybin Municipality cut the ribbon during a ceremony marking the restoration of the village’s Assyrian name. ### Strategic approvals? Some Assyrians see an even broader strategy behind the municipality’s willingness to reverse state-imposed Turkish place names. While the change appears positive on its face, critics argue that such approvals can later be used to justify renaming other villages, this time into Kurdish, as part of a step-by-step process of cultural and symbolic Kurdish expansion. For outsiders, such suspicions may seem excessive. But for those familiar with the region’s history, the wariness is far from unfounded. Assyrians in Tur Abdin carry deep historical scars: Kurdish participation in the 1915 Seyfo genocide, recurring waves of violence before and after it, and the deliberate targeting of Assyrian villages during the PKK–Turkish state conflict of the late 20th century. Throughout that period, the Kurdish PKK movement intentionally brought its guerrilla fight against the Turkish state to Tur Abdin and into Assyrian villages with the aim to force the population to leave the area so that Kurds could further penetrate the region. Meanwhile, the PKK waged a simultaneous propaganda war aimed at framing the Turkish state as solely responsible for the exile of Assyrians from the area – effectively hiding its own calculated and intentional tactic of clearing the ground for further Kurdification. Seen against this backdrop, a multilingual road sign, commissioned by what is effectively the political arm of the PKK, becomes more than simple decoration. ## Open Kurdification If Arbo represents a subtle form of symbolic Kurdification, other Assyrian villages are experiencing something more direct. In several communities, indigenous Assyrians seeking to restore their ancestral village names have met resistance, not from the Turkish state, but from Kurdish settlers who arrived in recent decades as a result of the PKK:s devious strategy to drive out the Assyrians. In Anhel, the Assyrian request to restore the historic name has stalled because the Kurdish settlers insist the village be renamed in a Kurdishized form – *Nehile* – rather than the original *Anhel*. As a result, the village remains stuck with its Turkish name, Yemişli. A similar dispute has unfolded in Mzizah, where Kurdish settlers demand spelling the name as *Mzizakh*, despite the historical Assyrian form *Mzizah*. Once again, the issue remains deadlocked between the village’s indigenous Assyrian population and the Kurdish settlers. For many Assyrians, this feels like an old pattern with a new face: the retreat of Turkification making way not for indigenous restoration, but for another layer of imposed identity. As one resident put it, “We cast off one yoke only to feel another settling around our neck.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Turabdin-1.png) ### Nahir Besara crowned Allsvenskan's player of the year URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/nahir-besara-crowned-allsvenskans-player-of-the-year/ Last updated: 2025-11-22T06:45:20.000Z Nahir Besara, the Swedish-Assyrian captain of Hammarby IF, was honoured as both Best Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year at the Allsvenskan Gala, the annual event of the top tier of the Swedish football league system, on 19 November. The double triumph capped off a remarkable season for the midfield maestro, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s most influential figures and marking a proud moment of representation for Assyrians in European football. Born in Södertälje, Sweden, Nahir Besara stands among the most accomplished Assyrian footballers in the country’s modern era. He began his senior career with Assyriska FF in the Superettan league, debuting in 2008 at just 17 years old and quickly establishing himself as a composed and creative midfielder. During this early period, he also represented Sweden at both U17 and U19 levels. ## **A Meaningful Return** Besara’s career took a significant step forward in January 2013 when he signed a three-year deal with Hammarby IF. Under coach Nanne Bergstrand in 2014, he delivered a standout campaign, scoring seven goals in 26 matches, including a memorable hat-trick against Östersunds FK. His performances were instrumental in securing Hammarby’s long-awaited promotion back to the Allsvenskan. In 2015, Besara moved abroad to join Göztepe SK in Turkey’s second division, departing Hammarby as their top scorer at mid-season. After his time in Turkey, he returned to Sweden with Örebro SK in 2016, where he again became a central figure. Short spells followed with Al-Fayha in Saudi Arabia and Pafos FC in Cyprus, as well as a brief move to Hatta Club in the UAE in 2021. He returned to Örebro shortly after, before making an emotional homecoming to Hammarby in February 2022, rejoining the club where he had left a lasting imprint. In 2024, Besara earned his long-awaited debut for the Swedish national team in a friendly against Estonia, joining fellow Assyrian-Swedish players Jimmy Durmaz and Mikael Ishak in representing Sweden at the senior level. [Two Assyrian players behind Swedish club’s qualification to the UEFA Conference LeagueTwo Assyrians played key roles when the Swedish team Hammarby qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-33.png)The Assyria Post\- The Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Besara-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/two-assyrian-players-behind-swedish-clubs-qualification-to-the-uefa-conference-league/) ## **Award-Winning Form** The 2025 Allsvenskan season may well go down as the finest of Besara’s career. His influence was undeniable, and the Allsvenskan Gala reflected that, recognising him as both Midfielder of the Year and the league’s Best Player, two of Swedish football’s most prestigious individual honours. Under Besara’s captaincy, Hammarby IF surged to a strong second-place finish behind Mjällby. He delivered an outstanding return of 17 goals and 4 assists, finishing as the league’s third-highest goal scorer while also driving Hammarby’s creativity and tempo in midfield. His combination of leadership, consistency, and decisive impact made him indispensable to the team’s success. At 34, Besara may soon be contemplating the next chapter of his football journey. Yet his career stands as a testament to the talent within the Assyrian community, and to the foundational role of Assyrian-run clubs such as Assyriska FF, which continue to develop exceptional footballers who make their mark on the global stage. ### Assyrian monastic tradition revived in Europe with rare ceremony URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-monastic-tradition-revived-in-europe-with-rare-ceremony/ Last updated: 2025-12-13T10:48:44.000Z In a historic first for the Mor Jacob of Sarug Monastery in Germany, a young Assyrian has been vested as a Syriac Orthodox monk, marking a symbolic renewal of Assyrian monastic life in Europe. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Assyrian players feature in Iraq’s playoff - clinching win over UAE in Basra URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-players-feature-in-iraqs-playoff-clinching-win-over-uae-in-basra/ Last updated: 2025-11-20T06:44:13.000Z Two Assyrian footballers featured in Iraq’s squad on a decisive night in Basra, where the national team defeated the United Arab Emirates to secure a place in the intercontinental playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Midfielder Aimar Sher started the match, while Kevin Yakob was named among the substitutes, another moment of visibility for Assyrians competing at the highest level of international football. Defender Rebin Sulaka was ruled out of the match due to an injury. The victory, delivered in front of a packed crowd at Basra International Stadium, pushed Iraq one step closer to returning to the World Cup stage. It capped a tightly contested qualifying campaign in which the team’s depth, maturity, and tactical discipline proved decisive. The last time Iraq reached a World Cup was 39 years ago, when legendary Assyrian coach Ammo Baba guided the nation to qualify for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, a milestone that remains a point of pride for Assyrians across the region and the diaspora. ### **Aimar Sher: From Kirkuk to Norway's Eliteserien** Born in Kirkuk before his family resettled in Sweden, Aimar Sher, named after Argentinian footballer Pablo Aimar, has emerged as one of Iraq’s most technically gifted midfielders. He currently plays for Sarpsborg 08 in Norway’s Eliteserien. Sher joined the Norwegian club on a three-year deal after a stint with Spezia in Italy’s Serie B and a loan spell at Groningen in the Dutch Eredivisie. At Sarpsborg 08, he has earned praise for his line-breaking passes, mobility, and constant involvement in the build-up. Coaches and analysts alike note his competitiveness and his commitment to giving “100 percent” every match. In 2025, Sher officially switched his international allegiance from Sweden to Iraq, a decision approved by FIFA. For him, representing Iraq is both professional and deeply personal, a way to honour his roots and contribute to a team where he says he feels valued and important. ### **Kevin Yakob: A Danish Superliga Mainstay** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/2795e126-0edd-4750-9d92-e1954c0dba8f-1.jpg) Kevin Yakob with family members holding the Assyrian flag after a game for IFK Göteborg (Photo: Facebook) Also representing the Assyrian community is Kevin Yakob, a versatile midfielder for AGF Aarhus in the Danish Superliga. Born in Gothenburg to Assyrian parents from Basra, Yakob developed through several Swedish clubs, including Assyriska BK, IFK Göteborg, and BK Häcken, before making the move to Denmark in 2022. Having previously appeared for Sweden’s U19 national team, Yakob later committed to Iraq at the senior level. Known for his work rate, versatility, and ability to drive play forward, Yakob remained on the bench in Basra but his inclusion reflects the expanding role of Assyrian talent within Iraq’s national setup. Yakob is known for his distinctive "Baggiye" celebration where he imitates the Assyrian dance after scoring a goal. [The Assyrian contribution to Iraqi Football: From pioneers to the presentThrough pioneers such as Ammo Baba and Youra Eshaya, institutions like Nadi Al-Athori, and modern players including Justin Meram and Rebin Sulaka, Assyrians have consistently shaped Iraq’s footballing identity.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-31.png)The Assyria Post\- The Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Nadi-Athori-1.jpeg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/the-assyrian-contribution-to-iraqi-football-from-pioneers-to-the-present/) ### **A Proud Moment for Assyrians in International Football** Sher and Yakob’s involvement comes at a time of growing Assyrian visibility in global football, with players across Europe competing in top leagues and international tournaments. For many in the diaspora, seeing two Assyrian footballers contribute to Iraq’s World Cup push is both symbolic and inspiring. Several other Assyrian players may also be called up in the coming qualifiers, including Frans Putros, Peter Gwargis, Lucas Shlimon, and André Alsanati. As Iraq prepares for the intercontinental playoff, both Sher and Yakob are expected to remain important members of the squad. Their presence, whether on the pitch or on the bench, highlights the continuing impact of Assyrian talent on Iraqi football. ### The race against the clock to reclaim Assyrian lands in Tur Abdin URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-race-against-the-clock-to-reclaim-assyrian-lands-in-tur-abdin-2/ Last updated: 2025-12-28T00:02:28.000Z As Assyrians return to Tur Abdin, some find that their ancestral lands are no longer in their names after a land-registry process created a mess. Now, community leaders are racing to correct past mistakes. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Youth camps revive spirit of Assyria across the diaspora URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/youth-camps-revive-spirit-of-assyria-across-the-diaspora/ Last updated: 2025-11-18T06:38:48.000Z **Assyrian youth across** the diaspora are finding renewed confidence in their identity through a growing network of youth camps that blend cultural education, historical awareness, and community-building. From Europe to North America, these initiatives have become essential institutions for transmitting the heritage of Assyria, cultivating a new generation grounded in national awareness and civic responsibility. ### **AJM in Europe: Building Identity Through Education** The Assyrischer Jugendverband Mitteleuropa e.V. (AJM), founded in 2002 in Augsburg, Germany, emerged as a non-partisan and non-confessional umbrella organisation for Assyrian youth in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Its mission centres on democratic participation, cultural instruction, and the development of civic engagement among Assyrian youth living in multicultural societies. Over two decades, AJM has grown into a leading organisation in Assyrian diaspora youth work. At the core of AJM’s activities stands Camp Ashur, established in 2006 and held annually for youth between the ages of twelve and seventeen. It has become a flagship program, frequently described as the foundation of AJM’s youth work. Camp Ashur combines cultural education with personal development, offering participants instruction in Assyrian language, history, music, dance, and tradition. Its organisers emphasise that the camp addresses the broader realities of growing up in the diaspora, encouraging young Assyrians to navigate questions of identity, belonging, and communication across cultures. The camp’s timing, often coinciding with the annual anniversary of the Simele massacre on 7 August, allows for the integration of historical remembrance into its curriculum. Participants engage with the history of the Seyfo genocide, the Simele massacre, and other collective traumas that have shaped the modern Assyrian experience. This approach enables youth to confront intergenerational trauma within a supportive environment while also learning about resilience and continuity. Recreational and communal activities, including group challenges, sports, dance competitions, and a concluding shahro (evening festivity), strengthen social cohesion and foster long-term friendships. Many former participants return as youth leaders, illustrating the camp’s lasting influence. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/IMG_1785-1024x768-1.jpeg) A youth camp by AJM. Photo: Assyrischer Jugendverband Mitteleuropa e.V. - AJM Facebook For older youth, AJM organises Camp Dolabani, named in honour of the respected Syriac Orthodox bishop Mor Yuhanon Dolabani (1885–1969), a notable figure in Assyrian ecclesiastical and educational history. Camp Dolabani builds upon the foundations of camp Ashur by offering political, cultural, and social education for participants aged seventeen and over. The camp emphasises civic responsibility and encourages a deeper engagement with Assyrian identity and community leadership. Its programming reflects AJM’s commitment to developing young adults who are capable of contributing meaningfully to the wider Assyrian cause. ### **ASA in Arizona: Strengthening Identity in America** In the United States, the Assyrian Student Association of Arizona (ASA) has developed its own model of Assyrian youth programming. Since 2016, ASA has hosted a series of camps in Arizona that reflect the particular needs and conditions of the American Assyrian community. Although organised independently from AJM, these camps share similar objectives: fostering cultural awareness, leadership skills, and intergenerational community ties. ASA’s camps encompass early childhood through adulthood, ensuring continuity in cultural transmission. Younger participants are introduced to Assyrian heritage through guided activities designed for comprehension at early ages. Teenagers engage with more structured programming that encourages reflection on identity, leadership, and cultural continuity. Young adults participate in discussion-based sessions aimed at understanding heritage in greater depth and examining the responsibilities of Assyrian identity within the broader American landscape. ASA’s approach underscores the importance of grounding future leaders in the history and values of their community, regardless of geographic distance from Assyria. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Camp-Nineveh.jpg) Participants from Camp Nineveh, held by the Assyrian Student Association of Arizona (Photo: Assyrian Student Association of Arizona Facebook) ### **Significance for the Diaspora** Assyrian youth camps in Europe and the United States have become essential mechanisms for the preservation and revitalisation of Assyrian identity. They serve not only as venues for teaching language, heritage, and tradition, but also as platforms for confronting historical trauma in a manner that strengthens communal bonds. Through these programs, participants gain the confidence and knowledge necessary to articulate their identity both within the Assyrian community and in the wider societies they inhabit. Leadership development is a defining outcome of these camps, with many alumni assuming roles in youth organisations, student groups, and cultural initiatives. The friendships formed at these gatherings create transnational networks that link young Assyrians across borders, reinforcing a sense of collective purpose and shared destiny. ### Assyrian businessman shot dead in Michigan URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-businessman-shot-dead-in-michigan/ Last updated: 2025-11-17T23:34:34.000Z **Batoo was shot** dead on 7 November inside his car dealership business in Shelby Township, Michigan together with a customer. Investigators say the dispute began when the suspect, Terrance Jermaine Sandles of Houston, purchased a car that he later returned, alleging it was defective and threatening Marvan Batoo. Authorities believe the argument escalated three weeks later, culminating in Sandles entering the business on 7 November and fatally shooting Batoo and another man at point-blank range. Surveillance footage and shell casings recovered at the scene corroborate this account. Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide emphasised that the killings were not a “hit” or random robbery: “He didn’t go in to rob… he went in to kill that man.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Sk--rmavbild-2025-11-17-kl.-22.48.58-1.png) Marvan Baboo. Sandles was tracked to a hotel in Romulus, Michigan, near Detroit Metro Airport, and arrested early the following day. Police say they recovered weapons, cash allegedly stolen from the dealership, and other incriminating evidence in his hotel room and vehicle. Batoo’s death has deeply affected the local Assyrian community in Michigan of which many belong to the Chaldean Catholic Church. Batoo was married and father of three children, two daughters and one son, age 5 and under. His brother-in-law, speaking to a local reporter, called the children “little angels.” ### Assyrians from northern Europe fuel community presence on Spain’s sun-drenched coast URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-from-northern-europe-fuel-community-presence-on-spains-sun-drenched-coast/ Last updated: 2025-11-17T06:42:11.000Z **Assyrians living in** northern Europe are increasingly buying property in Spain as part of a growing wave of migration to the sunny country. Most of these Assyrians come from Sweden, now estimated to number more than one thousand families, according to the local Swedish consul in Torrevieja, a town on the Costa Blanca. Assyrian immigration to Spain began in the 1990s, when Assyrians from Germany and Sweden first started settling there. Following years of war and persecution, refugees from Iraq and Syria also began arriving. Since then, Assyrians from across Europe have continued to move to Spain, purchasing homes and opening businesses in cities such as Torrevieja, Benidorm, Alicante, and Málaga, as well as in the capital, Madrid. Today, towns like Torrevieja host full-fledged Assyrian communities, complete with church services, Assyrian-owned businesses, and regular informal gatherings. Speaking to the reporter of the Swedish newspaper *LT*, one Assyrian living in Spain described what motivated him to leave Sweden: “In Sweden, you have a darkness that’s covered by a thick layer of clouds – and it lasts for five or six months.” With Sweden’s large Assyrian community increasingly affluent after decades in the country, more and more families are seeking ways to improve their quality of life. Similar to the reverse trend of Assyrians moving back to regions such as Tur Abdin, those heading to Spain fall into two groups: a smaller number who live there permanently and a larger number who stay for parts of the year. The number of families settling in Spain is believed to be significantly larger than the relatively small stream returning to Assyrian homelands like Tur Abdin. [50 years of Assyrian diaspora: Hanna Assad, Madrid Spain - Assyria TVAn independent TV Station serving Assyrians worldwide![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/cropped-cropped-Assyria-tv-logga-270x270.jpg)Assyria TVassyriatv![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/50year-Hanna-Assad.png)](https://www.assyriatv.org/2018/08/50-years-assyrian-diaspora-hanna-assad-madrid-spain/?ref=assyriapost.com) The first Assyrian to settle in Spain in modern times is believed to be Hanna Assad, who moved there in 1968 from Kamishly. In an interview about his life in Spain from 2023, he tells about a growing community and introduces his Assyrian-speaking Spanish wife. ### Sydney's Gilgamesh festival: a celebration of both legacy and current achievements URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/sydneys-gilgamesh-festival-a-celebration-of-both-legacy-and-current-achievements/ Last updated: 2025-11-16T10:21:49.000Z **The Assyrian Australian** Association (AAA) hosted the Gilgamesh Festival in Sydney from 1–9 November, celebrating one of humanity’s oldest stories and the enduring cultural legacy of Assyrians in Australia. The festival coincided with the 175th anniversary of the University of Sydney and the 25th anniversary of the Gilgamesh Statue on the university grounds, a monumental work created in 2000 by Assyrian–Australian sculptor Lewis Batros. ### **Two-Day Symposium with leading scholars** Central to the festival was a two-day academic symposium at the University’s Chau Chak Wing Museum, bringing together international scholars and members of the Assyrian community to explore Mesopotamian history, literature, and science. The speakers included Doctor Stephanie Dalley, Oriental Institute & Wolfson College; Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Somerville College, University of Oxford**,** Professor Simo Parpola, Emeritus Professor of Assyriology, University of Helsinki, and Doctor Daniel Mansfield, Senior Lecturer, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New South Wales. Their presentations highlighted the intellectual achievements of ancient Mesopotamia. Additional lectures were held at Eden Venues, including one by the Assyrian Cultural & Social Youth Association (ACSYA) on Assyrian silverwork. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/dancers.jpeg) Traditional Assyrian dances were performed during the festival. Photo: AAA ### **Re-Unveiling the Gilgamesh Statue** On 8 November, the festival marked a symbolic milestone with the re-unveiling of the Gilgamesh Statue in a public ceremony. The statue was presented by its original creator, Lewis Batros, who also created Sydney’s Assyrian Genocide (Seyfo) Monument. The event drew a large crowd of Assyrians and supporters, who regard the statue as a cultural anchor and a symbol of the enduring Assyrian identity in the diaspora. ### **The Legacy of the Assyrian Australian Association** The festival also celebrated the long-standing contributions of the Assyrian Australian Association, one of the earliest Assyrian community organisations in Australia. Over the decades, AAA has played a central role in building and sustaining Assyrian culture, education, and social life. The AAA established an Assyrian social club, later known as the Nineveh Club and founded the first Assyrian football club, initially the Nineveh Eagles, now Fairfield Bulls. The organisation also launched the Diqlat Assyrian School, the first Assyrian school in Australia in 1974 as well as founded the Ashurbanipal Library, which archives resources on Assyrians. These initiatives, and several others by the AAA, have shaped generations and continue to support the cultural, educational, and social development of the Assyrian-Australian community. ### Table of Gods brings ancient Assyrian flavours to life URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/table-of-gods-brings-ancient-assyrian-flavours-to-life/ Last updated: 2025-11-15T06:00:16.000Z > "My goal is to make the best book that has ever existed on planet Earth" **Stockholm-based Assyrian** writer and history enthusiast Arim Hawsho is developing *Table of Gods*, a unique and groundbreaking cookbook that revives the flavours of ancient Mesopotamia for the modern kitchen. Featuring over 60 recipes, *Table of Gods* will be the first cookbook to reimagine ancient Assyrian cuisine in an accessible and contemporary format - enabling people to cook dishes from the royal palaces of ancient Assyria. Since 2019, Hawsho has devoted himself to the project, leaving his full-time job in 2020 to focus entirely on bringing Assyria’s culinary heritage to life. His inspiration began with a question to his father: how could he learn more about his Assyrian roots? The answer – to read academic papers – left him unsatisfied. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-19.42.07-1.png) Arim Hawsho with Swedish chef Fredrik Eriksson holding a plate of Iron Age Assyrian Bulgurotto. Photo: tableofgods.com Searching for a more engaging way to connect with his heritage, Hawsho briefly explored writing a screenplay for an Assyrian TV series. That project never materialised, but it paved the way for something greater. In 2019, he came across *The Oldest Cuisine in the World*, a 1980s book that translated 35 recipes from 3,700-year-old Mesopotamian clay tablets. The issue, however, was that the book lacked measurements and proper instructions, making the recipes impossible for modern cooks to follow. Here, the idea for *Table of Gods* was born. The discovery sparked an idea: to transform these fragments of the world’s oldest recipes into a living, edible experience. Hawsho’s research for *Table of Gods* has been extensive. He has travelled across Assyria, visiting the Tur Abdin Region, the ancient city of Ashur, and villages in northern Iraq's Assyrian region for on-site research. Alongside his fieldwork, he has studied more than 280 scholarly papers and books on ancient Mesopotamian food, ensuring both historical and culinary authenticity. This information has been fact-checked by several Near Eastern scholars, including Dr. Eckart Frahm, Professor of Assyriology at Yale University, who commented: *“Arim Hawsho has managed to combine well-researched historical information with his own personal take on ancient Assyria, its culture, and its culinary traditions.”* ### An all in or nothing person Beyond research, Hawsho has spent the past months perfecting the *design* of *Table of Gods*, insisting that the book’s physical form should reflect the spirit of ancient Assyria itself. He has envisioned a cover resembling a clay tablet engraved with cuneiform inscriptions, symbolising the world’s oldest written recipes. Achieving this vision, however, has proven technically challenging. Unlike standard book covers, which are designed in 2D, *Table of Gods* requires 3D industrial design, custom paper strong enough for deep debossing, and a handcrafted brass die engraved with authentic cuneiform signs. Determined to achieve a truly tactile representation of Assyrian heritage, Hawsho has recently travelled to Italy to meet with paper mills and printers capable of producing the cover to his exacting standards. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-19.40.24.png) A mockup of the design of the book. Photo: tableofgods.com On his blog, he reflects on his obsession with perfection: "If I settled for really good, *Table of Gods* would’ve been published long ago – or maybe not at all, since I wouldn’t be motivated to make a cookbook like every other to begin with." In fact, the book has been delayed multiple times due to his meticulous approach. His journey has attracted interest from many, with more than 50 thousand followers on his social media channels, as well as more than 3000 on the waitlist to buy the book once it's published, according to information he has shared on his blog. His enthusiasm and passion for the project is unmistakable. "My goal", he writes, "is to make the best book that has ever existed on planet Earth". --- You can sign up to follow Arim's progress towards his cookbook [here](https://www.tableofgods.com/progress?ref=assyriapost.com), as well as see sneak peaks to some receipes on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tableofgods/?hl=en&ref=assyriapost.com). ### New life in Alqosh's old bazaar URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/new-life-in-alqoshs-old-bazaar/ Last updated: 2025-11-14T06:28:07.000Z **The project marks** the comeback of one of the town’s oldest communal spaces, a marketplace that once linked trade routes between the Nineveh region and Nohadra (Dohuk). Local volunteers, clergy, and community organizations have led the effort to restore the site and revive economic activity in the heart of the town. For many residents, the reopening carries deep personal significance. Speaking to a local outlet, Alqosh native Hanaa Abdul Zalfa recalled how the market had once been a lively gathering point. “I grew up next to these streets, and this was where everyone came,” she said. “But over the years the town expanded, people moved away, and the market was left to deteriorate. A few years ago it was nearly deserted, and people avoided it because it felt unsafe.” Restoration work began roughly three years ago with backing from the Shlama Foundation and the Assyrian Aid Society, which helped push the project to completion. The old bazaar, once filled with carpenters, metalworkers, and small workshops, has now been rebuilt with a new set of vendors in mind. Several units have been fully renovated to host a tailor, a handicrafts shop, a barbershop, and a store offering prayer beads. In the initial phase, eight stalls were completed, followed by around 20 additional spaces across the corridor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Alqosh-old-market-under-work.jpg) Photo from the renovation of the old market in Alqosh. Photo by the Facebook page شوقا علايا/القوش Project coordinator Carmen George Al-Najjar explained that the idea originated within the community itself. “A group of young people in Alqosh, together with the late Bishop Paulus Thabet Habib and Father Rudi, decided to restore the market and start a monthly charity bazaar to highlight local culture and traditions,” he said. Today the marketplace includes 32 commercial units, a café, and a small library run by the church. Future plans envision women’s salons, an art studio, and additional small enterprises opening as part of the revitalization effort. Located on elevated ground in the northern Nineveh Plain in Iraq's Assyrian region, Alqosh has long been seen as a natural place of refuge, and the revival of its old market signals a renewed commitment to preserving its cultural and historical identity. ### Assyrian Democratic Movement Condemns Confiscation of Assyrian Quota Seats in Iraq’s Elections URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-democratic-movement-condemns-confiscation-of-assyrian-quota-seats-in-iraqs-elections/ Last updated: 2025-11-13T08:18:13.000Z **The Iraqi Independent** High Electoral Commission (IHEC) on Wednesday released preliminary results for the quota seats allocated to Iraq’s indigenous Assyrian population and other minority groups in the parliamentary elections held on November 11. [19 candidates vie for five Assyrian quota seats in Iraq’s upcoming electionsWhile 19 candidates are competing for the five quota seats, Assyrian political parties are officially boycotting the elections in protest against the Iraqi government’s refusal to close a loophole that allows non-Assyrian groups to exploit their representation.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-29.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-10-17-at-21.47.00-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/19-candidates-vie-for-five-assyrian-quota-seats-in-iraqs-upcoming-elections/) The results show that all five Assyrian quota seats – officially designated as Christian quota seats – have been won by candidates backed by non-Assyrian political parties. The number of votes received by each winning candidate far exceeds the potential turnout of Assyrian voters, raising serious concerns about electoral manipulation and proxy voting. The Babylon Movement, an Arab Shiite movement led by Rayan Kildani, secured the Assyrian quota seats for the provinces of Nineveh and Baghdad. The remaining three seats – representing the provinces of Kirkuk, Dohuk, and Erbil – were won by ostensibly independent Assyrian candidates who, according to observers, benefited from proxy votes organized by the KDP Kurdish Party, led by members of the Barzani clan. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-13-at-00.43.00.png) The winning candidates from top: Evan Jabro (Baghdad), Aswan Al Kildani (Nineveh), Emad Youkhanna (Kirkuk), Kaldo Ramzi (Erbil) and Sami Oshana (Dohuk). Photo by ANB Sat Under Iraq’s 2021 election law, the entire country is treated as a single constituency for the Assyrian quota seats. This allows any voter, regardless of religion or ethnicity, to vote for an Assyrian candidate anywhere in Iraq. The loophole has since been exploited by dominant Kurdish and Arab parties to ensure that candidates aligned with their interests secure the Assyrian quota seats. Many of these votes reportedly come from public-sector employees, including police officers, civil servants, and soldiers affiliated with non-Assyrian political parties. ### Assyrian Democratic Movement: "A confiscation of our political rights" The Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), the main political party representing Iraq’s Assyrian indigenous population, issued a [statement](https://www.facebook.com/zowaa.org/posts/pfbid0vSq3pNMLrmbgUqTC5mt3tZ7HdMsamegCHw7Fss56MerC3mvR2J41czAP25PYphVKl) on Wednesday denouncing what it described as the hijacking of Assyrian parliamentary representation. In its statement, the ADM claimed the "distorted practices witnessed in the competition for the quota seats, which emptied the right of its essence, can only be described as an explicit confiscation of the constitutional and political rights" of the Assyrian people. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/12121212.jpg) Secretary General of the Assyrian Democratic Movement, Yacoob Gorgis. Photo: ADM It further said the quota seats have turned into a "tool in the hands of dominant forces, exploited to achieve narrow partisan gains by flooding the process with tens of thousands of votes from outside the community. This has stripped the rightful owners of their legitimate representation." The ADM also pointed to the use of public agencies in the manipulation of the vote: "What makes matters worse is the systematic direction of certain agencies and security forces to channel tens of thousands of votes in favor of specific quota candidates, with the aim of fabricating an appearance of representation that is false and illegitimate." According to the statement, the unfair competition raised the electoral threshold for the Assyrian quota seats to more than 30,000 votes per seat – an "illogical and unjust number that reflects the scale of interference and manipulation of voters’ will." The ADM called on Iraq’s dominant parties to end their interference in Assyrian representation: "It is time for the major parties – Kurdish, Shiite, and Sunni – to recognize that their domination of the quota seats represents a flagrant violation of the most basic principles of justice and citizenship, and a transgression against national partnership." ### Continued occupation of Assyrian lands in Northern Iraq, report says URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/continued-occupation-of-assyrian-lands-in-northern-iraq-report-says/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T06:19:58.000Z **In its latest** human rights [report](https://www.hhro.org/reports/hammurabi-human-rights-organization-releases-its-annual-report-for-2023-2024?ref=assyriapost.com), issued in September of this year, the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization ([HHRO](https://www.hhro.org/en?ref=assyriapost.com)) says dozens of Assyrian families in Basra, Baghdad, and across Northern Iraq continue to face illegal seizures of their homes and farmland. Many have filed complaints or pursued legal action, yet most cases remain unresolved. Years after Iraq’s authorities promised to tackle widespread encroachments on Assyrian homes and lands, progress remains slow and unclear. Both Baghdad and the Kurdish run administration in Northern Iraq have set up committees and legal mechanisms, but court rulings in favor of Assyrian owners often go unenforced, the report shows. ### Lack of implementation of court orders The organization says the problem persists largely because law enforcement bodies fail to carry out court decisions. It calls for a coordinated national strategy involving the Prime Minister’s Office, the National Security Advisory, the Christian Endowments, and relevant ministries. Representatives from governorates with large Assyrian populations, including Nineveh, Duhok, Erbil, and Kirkuk, are also urged to participate. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Erbil_International_Airport_-_August_2025.jpg) Erbil International airport, built on confiscated Assyrian land without any compensation to the owners. The HHRO has appointed lawyers to follow up on dozens of unresolved cases. Many affected property owners live abroad and struggle to reclaim their lands. The group says the ongoing violations undermine Iraq’s diversity and drive further migration among the indigenous Assyrians and minorities. Encroachments on Assyrian property date back to the Ba‘ath era and have continued under successive governments. While some were resolved, most remain pending. In the Kurdish dominated KRG region in Northern Iraq, several committees have been formed over the years to address the issue, including a ministerial body established in 2021 under the Interior Minister. Baghdad has also created a “Christian Properties Committee” and appointed a special judge to oversee such cases. Despite these initiatives, little tangible progress has been made. HHRO reports that in some villages in Northern Iraq, Kurdish squatters have been compensated for giving up seized land, but the policy has led to abuses. In some cases, individuals accepted compensation yet refused to vacate the property, while others expanded their encroachments in hopes of future payouts. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-11-at-22.37.04.png) The Assyrian village of Derabun on the Iraqi-Turkish border. The organization also highlights serious delays in judicial and police procedures, describing court execution offices as “graveyards” for rulings in favor of Assyrian owners. Some cases have stalled for years, allowing usurpers to pressure owners into low-price settlements. Among the unresolved cases are lands and villages in Duhok and Erbil seized by Kurdish officials decades ago for “public interest,” including property taken to build Erbil International Airport. In Zakho, attempts by Assyrians from the village of Derabun to reclaim their lands from influential Kurdish figures have failed. Encroachments vary in nature, ranging from the seizure of church and school buildings to agricultural lands and orchards. Many cases stem from demographic changes carried out under the Ba‘ath regime, when Arab settlers were placed in historically Assyrian areas such as the Nineveh Plain. After 1991, some lands were returned, but others remain under the control of local Kurdish officials or powerful Kurdish individuals. [Assyrian Party accuses Kurdish leader of neglect and injustice in open letterIn an open letter to Kurdish leader Masrour Barzani, the head of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), Yacoob Gorgis, raised concerns over the occupation of Assyrian lands and the discrimination faced by Assyrians in northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-28.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-03-at-16.17.43-4.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/a/) HHRO has presented its findings to the Iraqi Minorities Alliance Network, which submitted them to senior Kurdish officials. It also issued a list of recommendations, urging courts to prioritize old cases, calling on the judiciary to act independently, and demanding that law enforcement bodies carry out court orders. The organization further recommends establishing a special judicial committee to resolve past and ongoing property violations affecting Assyrians and others. Despite repeated promises, Assyrian property owners across Iraq and the KRG continue to wait for justice, often watching as new encroachments emerge while old ones remain unaddressed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-11-at-22.57.07.png) Pascale Warda, President of the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization. The Hammurabi Human Rights Organization was formally established in 2012 and is led by Pascale Warda, a former Minister of Migration and Displacement in Iraq who is herself Assyrian. The organization is a prominent voice for human rights in Iraq with offices in Baghdad, Erbil and Mosul. ### How a simple word caused division among Assyrians a century ago URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/how-a-simple-word-caused-division-among-assyrians-a-century-ago/ Last updated: 2025-11-11T06:29:23.000Z ****In this transcript** of a text written more than a century ago, the prolific Assyrian writer and publisher Naum Faik Palak explains how a translation of a simple word sparked confusion among his people. The Arabic word **Intibah* (Awakening) was the name of a pioneer association he had founded to enlighten Assyrians. When it was translated into Assyrian as '**Irutho*, some misunderstood the change, believing it hinted at a move toward church union with eastern Assyrians they viewed as “Nestorian.” Palak rejects this idea outright, calling it an illusion born of false imagination. His words reveal the tensions within the Assyrian community more than a hundred years ago, and how easily a single word could sow suspicion and division among a nation stuck in a sectarian mindset, much like today. --- ## **Thoughts on Our Awakening and Unity** *By Naum Faik Palak, Beth-Nahrin Newspaper, September 1917* We Assyrians have for centuries groaned in the darkness of heedless sleep, unaware of the ideas of nationhood, identity, and homeland. Wandering aimlessly in the dark deserts of ignorance, like a traveler who does not know where to go, one day a light rose upon us, the light of Awakening (*Intibah*). When we opened our eyes, we saw that we had fallen behind in education, language, press, literature, culture, trade, agriculture, and industry, deprived of all the tools of civilization and progress. Among us, no trace of national spirit remained, no page from the history of our ancestry, no feeling of love for the homeland, nor even a thought inspired by the desire to learn our language. We had become like a lamp about to go out, like a sick person taking his final breaths. We came to believe that the only medicine that could cure this condition was *Intibah* – awakening. > "We prefer to remain in our own negligence rather than awaken" With this belief, we worked and struggled; but unfortunately, the diseases of fanaticism, selfishness, and the inability to fully grasp the meaning of awakening – which have taken root in our nature – have lessened the effect of this medicine. Let us give an example: A family, upon the advice of a doctor, brought a very effective medicine for their patient. While the patient lay on his deathbed and the medicine needed to be given immediately, the family members began to argue about what the medicine was made of. One said it contained sulfate, another said morphine, another claimed soda or some other substance. While the patient was struggling with death, they quarreled among themselves – and the patient died. This is exactly the situation of our nation. Even though our people know that the medicine of *Intibah* is necessary for our salvation, they fall into meaningless disputes among themselves. When the word *Intibah* was translated into Assyrian as '*Irutho* or '*Irutha*, some took this as an excuse to turn their backs on the awakening movement. We prefer to remain in our own negligence rather than awaken. In other words, we argue about the medicine that could save the patient – and let him die. What a strange state! It is our duty to clarify this matter ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Naum-Faiq-746x443-1.jpeg) ### The Establishment of the “Intibah” Society Our *Intibah* (Awakening) society was first founded in Diyarbakir, Turkey. The name of such a national and public organization had to be in a language the state could understand. Moreover, since ninety-nine percent of Assyrians in Turkey did not know their own language, it was necessary to express it in a way that people could understand. For this reason, we used the word *Intibah* and explained its meaning to our people as “to awaken,” “to come to one’s senses.” However, since the word also contained meanings such as “political awakening,” it was thought that it could be misunderstood in that era of oppression. Therefore, to ease both government suspicions and the people’s fears, the word *ilmî* (scientific) was added, and the society was named *Intibah-ı Ilmî* – Scientific Awakening. Over time, the national and cultural meaning of *Intibah* settled into the hearts of the Assyrians. Branches were opened in many cities of Turkey, as well as one in America. ### Developments in America At that time, our idea was to spread the *Intibah* movement not only among one sect but also among various Assyrian communities – Maronites, Nestorians, Chaldeans, and Catholics. However, conditions and time did not permit this. Nevertheless, we established contact with our Chaldean brothers in Diyarbakir who had founded the *Tekâmül* (Progress) society; we held discussions to strengthen our cultural and national ties. But as war and political turmoil intensified in Turkey, it became impossible for the *Intibah* society to continue there. Many members emigrated to America, where new branches were established and the movement grew. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-10-at-21.57.07.png) ### Adoption of the Name “'Irutho” As we sought to spread the meaning of *Intibah* among all Assyrian communities, we learned that many Nestorian Assyrian brothers were living in America. We met with them and shared our ideas. They joined our society and founded a branch in Yonkers. These brothers were, like us, part of the Assyrian nation. Like the Assyrians of Midyat, Mosul, Cizre, and Siirt, they preserved the spoken Assyrian language and, not knowing another language, had to translate the word *Intibah* into Assyrian. Thus, *Intibah* became '*Irutha* (ܥܝܪܘܬܐ) or '*Irutho* (ܥܝܪܘܬܰܐ) in their dialect. Since America was a free country, everyone had the right to use their own language. Therefore, instead of continuing to use *Intibah*, it was considered more appropriate to translate it into Western Assyrian and say '*Irutho*. Because we are Assyrians, it is more fitting for our national society to bear a name in our own language rather than in Arabic or another foreign tongue. Thus, we adopted '*Irutho* instead of *Intibah*. ### Misunderstandings After this explanation, some of our countrymen — our Assyrian brothers — began to doubt this translation. They fell into baseless suspicions and false imaginations. They began to turn the issue into a sectarian matter. They thought that our minority – the Western Assyrians – would join the majority of the Eastern Assyrians (the Nestorians), and that perhaps in the future we would even unite with them religiously. With these wrong ideas, they troubled their minds in vain. Those baseless illusions and unfounded dreams gave rise to unnecessary gossip and rumors. --- *The original text was translated by Aydin Beth-Naqshe (Aslan).* ### The Assyrian contribution to Iraqi Football: From pioneers to the present URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-assyrian-contribution-to-iraqi-football-from-pioneers-to-the-present/ Last updated: 2025-11-10T07:38:48.000Z Football is more than a sport in Iraq – it is a unifying passion that transcends ethnicity and religion. Among the many communities that have shaped the nation’s football story the Assyrians have played an outsized role. Their journey into Iraqi football cannot be told without first looking back at their history of displacement and survival. ### From genocide to football In the early 20th century, the Assyrian people endured genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Tens of thousands were forced from their ancestral homelands in Hakkari (southeastern Turkey) and Urmia (northwestern Iran), undertaking a treacherous trek to the Baqubah refugee camp near Baghdad in 1918–1920\. Many later resettled in Habbaniyah, 82 km west of Baghdad, where the British Royal Air Force maintained a base. It was in Habbaniyah that Assyrians were first introduced to football by the British. What began as recreation quickly became a way to build community and to heal. From the dusty fields of refugee camps, a tradition of excellence emerged that would shape Iraqi football for generations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Al-Athori_SC_with_the_1960_Iraq_FA_Cup_Championship_trophy.jpg) Al-Athori players with the 1959–60 Iraq Central FA First Division Cup trophy. ### The pioneers of Iraqi football When speaking of Iraqi footballing icons, names like Ahmed Radhi and Younis Mahmoud are immediately recognised as legends who carried Iraq to the world stage. Yet, towering above all as the “Sheikh of Iraqi Football” is Ammo Baba whose real name was Emmanuel Baba Dawud. As a player, Ammo Baba was a prolific striker in the 1950s and 1960s, renowned for his vision, strength, and attacking flair. He scored Iraq’s first ever international goal in 1957 and quickly became the country’s first true footballing hero. Admired for his charisma and technical skill, he starred for Nadi Al-Athori (the Assyrian Sports Club) before going on to represent the Iraqi national team. After retiring in 1970, he turned to coaching, where his influence grew even larger. Over several decades he managed Iraq’s national team, guiding them to Gulf Cup titles in 1979, 1984, and 1988, and leading Iraq to its only FIFA World Cup appearance in Mexico in 1986, with fellow Assyrian Douglas Aziz as his assistant coach. He also coached Iraq at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games, helping bring international recognition to Iraqi football. Ammo Baba was more than a coach – he was a nation-builder. He mentored and shaped the careers of some of Iraq’s most celebrated players, including Hussein Saeed, Adnan Dirjal, Karim Saddam, Ahmed Radhi, Radhi Shanishil, Laith Hussein, Habib Jaafar, Nashat Akram, and many others. He passed away in 2009 and, in recognition of his unparalleled service to Iraqi football, was buried within the grounds of Al-Shaab Stadium in Baghdad, the country’s largest stadium – a fitting tribute to Iraq’s greatest footballing icon. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Kirkuk-football.jpg) Players of the Assyrian Athletic Club in Kirkuk circa. 1964 Other Assyrian pioneers also left their mark. Aram Karam became a household name with Nadi Al-Athori, captaining the side during its famous 5–4 victory over Iran’s Taj Club in 1956, where he scored a memorable hat-trick. Youra Eshaya was the first Iraqi to play in England, signing for Bristol Rovers in the 1950s. Douglas Aziz, a dominant defender, later coached Al-Shorta, leading them to their first league title in 1979–80 in his debut season in charge. Zia Shaoul left Iraq in 1961 to join Eintracht Frankfurt, then recent European Cup finalists and today one of Germany’s Bundesliga clubs. Among these early trailblazers were also Edison David, Shidrak Yousif, and Saeed Easho – talented Assyrian footballers whose contributions helped establish Iraq’s reputation on the regional stage in the 1950s and 1960s. Their performances inspired younger generations and reinforced the central role of Assyrians in Iraqi football’s formative years. Basil Gorgis was another major Assyrian star, emerging as part of Iraq’s golden generation in the 1970s and 1980s. A gifted midfielder, Gorgis spent his entire career in the Iraqi Super League, where he played for Al Shabab and Al Talaba. He became a reliable presence in Iraq’s midfield during one of the most successful periods in the country’s football history, further highlighting the Assyrian community’s profound contribution to the sport. ### Nadi Al-Athori: The Assyrian Sports Club of Baghdad Founded in 1955, Nadi Al-Athori (literally the *Assyrian Club*) became both a footballing powerhouse and a cultural centre for Assyrians in Baghdad, as well as in its other branches in Kirkuk and Mosul. It nurtured young talent, produced many of Iraq’s most celebrated players, and provided Assyrians with visibility and pride in a country where they were often marginalised. One of the club’s most famous matches came on 20 May 1956, when Nadi Al-Athori faced Iran’s Taj Club (today Esteghlal FC) at Kashafa Stadium in Baghdad before more than 20,000 spectators. The Assyrian side triumphed 5–4, with captain Aram Karam scoring a hat-trick, in what remains one of the most memorable international friendlies in Iraqi football history. The club’s greatest triumph came in 1960, when it won the Iraq Central FA League, then called the Iraq Central FA First Division Cup, by defeating Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 3–0 in the final. Nadi Al-Athori also attracted players beyond the Assyrian community. Notably, Adnan Dirjal – today the President of the Iraqi Football Association – played for the club, highlighting its role in shaping football at a national level. ### Assyrians in the modern Iraqi national team After a long period without Assyrian representation in the Iraqi national team, Justin Meram was called up in 2014 while playing for Columbus Crew in the United States. Meram went on to earn 36 caps, becoming a household name and representing Iraq at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia. Since then, several Assyrian players have joined Iraq’s national ranks: Rebin Sulaka, Frans Putros, Peter Gwargis, Aimar Sher, Lucas Sarhaddon Shlimon, Kevin Enkido Yakob, André Alsanati, and Charbel Shamoon. At the youth level, Assyrians such as Alexander Aoraha, Martin Haddad, Joseph Khoshaba, Aisen Ishak, Manuel Iylia, and Yohan Zetuna have also worn the Iraqi shirt. Beyond players, Assyrian coaches continue to influence the game. Ayoub Odisho, a former Iraq international, has become the most successful coach in Iraqi Premier League history with four league titles, managing top clubs including Al-Shorta, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Zawraa, and currently Zakho SC. ### Assyrian influence abroad The Assyrian football story extends far beyond Iraq’s borders. In diaspora communities across Europe, North America, and Australia, football has remained a central way of preserving identity and pride. The most prominent example is Assyriska FF in Sweden, a club founded by Assyrian immigrants from the Tur Abdin Region in northern Assyria that rose to the top tier of Swedish football, once competing in Sweden's top flight, the Allsvenskan, as well as reaching the Swedish Cup final in 2003, one step away from playing European football. Assyriska became a symbol of cultural resilience, representing not only sporting excellence but also the broader Assyrian diaspora on an international stage. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/akeosi6btcg21.jpg) Assyriska FF fans with an Assyrian flag tifo at the 2003 Swedish Cup final against IF Elfsborg ### A lasting legacy From the refugee camps of Baqubah to the stadiums of Baghdad and beyond, Assyrians have left an indelible mark on Iraqi football, even as the majority Arab state inflicted deep wounds in the Assyrian nation through its oppression. Their story is one of resilience, pride, and contribution far beyond their numbers. Football was not just a pastime for the Assyrians – it became a vehicle of survival, integration, and national influence. In the broader history of Iraq’s beautiful game, the Assyrian legacy remains both foundational and enduring. *By Barseen Oshana* ### Midyat governor courts diaspora Assyrians with new housing development URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/midyat-governor-courts-diaspora-assyrians-with-new-housing-development/ Last updated: 2025-11-09T06:00:41.000Z The Yeni Midyat Projesi (The New Midyat Project) is being designed with diaspora Assyrians in mind. "*The project aims to encourage the return of our Assyrian citizens living abroad and to create a more comfortable environment, enabling them to live a modern life deeply rooted in Midyat's history*," the [official project folder](https://www.midyat.bel.tr/yeni-midyat-projesi?ref=assyriapost.com) states in Turkish and English. To gauge interest in the project, the governor of Midyat, Veysi Şahin, himself a member of the Mhalami Muslim community, recently traveled to the Swedish city of Södertälje, where he presented the plans to the local Assyrian community, many of whom trace their roots to Midyat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-08-at-23.24.48-1.png) Veysi Şahin, governor of the munipicality of Midyat, speaking during the event in Södertälje. Photo: Assyria TV During the meeting, Şahin lamented that a growing number of diaspora Assyrians are turning to Mediterranean countries instead of their ancestral homeland. "We know that many Assyrians have started buying houses in Spain. We want them to instead come and invest in Midyat," he told the audience gathered at the community hall of Saint Jacob of Nisibin Church in Södertälje. According to the governor, the new development aims to make it easier for diaspora Assyrians to find suitable housing, as many Assyrian villages, including Midyat’s old town, have been designated protected heritage sites, making permits for new construction or renovation difficult to obtain. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-08-at-23.18.14.png) The new urban development area (in red) is situated south east of Midyat and along the highway connecting Midyat with the city of Nusaybin. Map: Municipality of Midyat In the project folder, the initiative is described as a tribute to the region’s history of coexistence: "With this project, mosques and churches will once again stand side by side in Midyat, the City of Religions and Languages, ensuring the continuation of its centuries-old tradition of tolerance." The language glosses over the darker chapters of the region’s past – marked by genocide, massacres, unresolved killings, discrimination, and intolerance – that left the area almost devoid of its indigenous Assyrian population. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-08-at-22.29.48.png) Architect’s rendering of the planned urban development on the outskirts of Midyat. Images: Municipality of Midyat. The development is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and TOKI, the Housing Development Administration of Turkey, in cooperation with the municipality of Midyat. The project will cover a total area of 230,000 square meters. Despite being promoted as a green development, it will include space for 530 outdoor and 490 indoor parking lots. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-08-at-23.20.54.png) The project includes 478 residential units and 35 commercial units, totaling 513 units. The smallest houses, consisting of 150sqm is estimated to cost 184 000 Euros. Image: Municipality of Midyat. [Nineveh’s governor wants Assyrians to returnThe current governor of Nineveh says he wants Assyrians not only to stay, but to return – and he is taking concrete steps to improve life for them across the province.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-27.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Al-Dakhil-1.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/ninevehs-governor-wants-assyrians-to-return/) ### Celebration of heritage and creativity at Detroit art exhibition URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/celebration-of-heritage-and-creativity-at-detroit-art-exhibition/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T22:47:21.000Z **In October 2025**, *Rooshma Arts*, in collaboration with the *Ishtar Cultural Center*, hosted its third annual Beth Nahrain Art Gallery, a free, immersive two-day exhibition celebrating the creativity and heritage of Assyrian artists. The event transformed the Metro Detroit space into a living reflection of the homeland, featuring artwork deeply inspired by Assyrian history, culture, and identity. Visitors described the experience as “a portal to Beth Nahrain,” a testament to the emotional and cultural depth captured by the artists. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/IMG_7748-1.jpg) Founded in 2023, Rooshma Arts is a Michigan-based nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive opportunities for artists, especially those within the Assyrian community, to showcase, sell, and share their work. The organization’s mission is “to create opportunities for artists to produce, showcase, and sell their work while fostering cultural appreciation and connection through art.” This year’s gallery highlighted a wide range of mediums, including oil painting, photography, wood-carved sculpture, embroidery, and mixed media. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/IMG_7755-1.jpg) "Alqosh" by Stavros Zara. ### **Featured Artists** Among the artists featured were Sam Selou Wazi, Azhar Matti, Emad Tamo, Taif Alheety, Stavros Zara, Eman Toma, Sipya Kado, and Reni Stephan, alongside an inspiring collection of works from student artists such as Nada Kinaya, Mason Sitto, Nela Koki, Jazella Shamou, and Sandi Kashat. Many of the artists trace their roots to the Nineveh Plain Regionof Northern Iraq, with pieces paying homage to the region through depictions of traditional attire, landscapes, and symbols of Assyrian heritage. Among them, Reni Stephan stands out as a distinguished figure in the Assyrian art community. With decades of experience, Stephan has sculpted and painted from the heart, producing timeless works that honor the Assyrian spirit. His art has been featured in notable venues such as *Ishtar Restaurant* in Sterling Heights, MI, the *Chaldean Community Foundation*, the *Assyrian Cultural Foundation of Chicago*, and most recently, at the *Carr Center.*. A proud member of Rooshma Arts, Stephan continues to nurture the next generation of artists through teaching and mentorship at his enchanting Sterling Heights studio. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/IMG_8285-1-1.jpg) Assyrian artist Reni Stephan teaching at his studio ### **Building Bridges Through Art** One of the student artists featured at the gallery is Mason Sitto, co-founder and vice president of Rooshma Arts. His self-portrait, portraying himself alongside an Assyrian king, serves as a personal reflection of heritage and is symbolic of the pride shared by Assyrians in diaspora. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/IMG_8545.jpg) Mason and his father standing beside his portrait, "Son of Assyria" Sitto shares his hopes for the organization’s future, envisioning Rooshma Arts as a creative home where artists of all disciplines can collaborate and thrive. “Our goal is to build a space where every creative mind can belong,” Sitto says, “whether through painting, photography, music, poetry, or even culinary arts.” Through events like the Beth Nahrain Art Gallery, Rooshma Arts seeks to build bridges, connect artists, strengthen cultural identity, and keep the spirit of the homeland alive, explained organizers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/IMG_7794-1.jpg) ### **About Rooshma Arts** *Rooshma Arts* is a nonprofit organization based in Sterling Heights, Michigan, which describes itself as "dedicated to supporting artists within the Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac community." Founded in 2023, the group provides opportunities for creatives to showcase and sell their work while fostering cultural awareness and appreciation through the arts. Learn more about the organization and the artists via their [website](https://rooshmaarts.com/?ref=assyriapost.com), and more about [Ishtar Cultural Center](https://ishtarcc.org/?ref=assyriapost.com). ### Inside the Kurdish textbooks rejected by Assyrian Schools URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/inside-the-kurdish-textbooks-rejected-by-assyrian-schools/ Last updated: 2025-11-07T06:17:49.000Z **Assyrian private schools** in the Gozarto Region have once again rejected the curriculum that the Kurdish entity, which has controlled the area since 2012, has tried to impose. The textbooks in question promote a subtle Kurdish nationalist narrative that distorts the history of the region and glorifies the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Below are a few examples of the content found in these materials. [Kurdish entity forced to retreat from attempt to impose curriculum in Syria’s Gozarto RegionStudents were able to return to school on Monday, November 3, after the Kurdish entity in control of the Gozarto Region was forced to back down from imposing its curriculum, following widespread opposition.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-25.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/PYD-schools.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-entity-forced-to-retreat-from-attempt-to-impose-curriculum-in-syrias-gozarto-region/) ### Historical revisionism One of the primary school textbooks presents a revisionist version of Kurdish history, portraying the Kurdish tribes, whose Iranian origins and later migration into Mesopotamia are well documented, as the indigenous population of the region. The chapter includes a fabricated map of a so-called historical Kurdish homeland that has no basis in historical reality. In the same book, Assyria is reduced to a mere historical reference. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-06-at-22.42.23-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-06-at-22.33.28.png) An imaginary Kurdish land is presented in yellow on the map as a historical reality while Assyria is erased in the history school text book. The section goes on to claim that *“there are no clear beginnings to Kurdish history or the Kurdish people, as they are the indigenous inhabitants of their land.”* In reality, it is well established that the non-Semitic Kurdish tribes are relatively recent arrivals to Mesopotamia and to the land of Assyria. The irony of this falsification is striking, given that the city of Kamishli, where these textbooks were produced, was founded by Assyrians in the early 1900s. Assyrians remained the majority population in Kamishli and much of the Gozarto Region until recent decades. Moreover, archaeologists have yet to uncover a single artifact from an ancient Kurdish settlement in Assyria or the wider Mesopotamian region. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-06-at-22.36.43-1.png) A section falsely presenting the migratory Kurdish tribes as indigenous to Mesopotamia. ### Glorification of PKK leader The textbooks also openly glorify Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdish PKK organization. The Kurdish group in control of the Gozarto Region is an offshoot of the PKK. One textbook even includes a section titled “The Morality of Abdullah Ocalan.” Ocalan has been serving a life sentence in Turkey since 1999 for separatist activities. His movement has long been implicated in the killing of Assyrians, beginning in the 1980s, and bears much of the responsibility for the mass displacement of Assyrians from their historic homeland. By waging guerrilla warfare in Assyrian areas, the PKK deliberately drew Turkish military operations into those regions, making it impossible for Assyrians to remain. This same strategy continues today. In Northern Iraq, the PKK has entrenched itself in Assyrian-populated areas such as Nahla, turning once-peaceful villages into targets for Turkish airstrikes and further contributing to the ongoing depopulation of the Assyrian homeland. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-06-at-22.44.04-1-1.png) A section about Abdullah Ocalan's "morality" included in text books intended to brainwash school children. [Kurdish group renews attempt to impose curriculum on Assyrian schools in Syria’s Gozarto RegionThe Kurdish group in control of the Gozarto Region is seeking to once again impose a new curriculum on Assyrian schools.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-26.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-12-at-23.47.48-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-group-renews-attempt-to-impose-curriculum-on-assyrian-schools-in-syrias-gozarto-region/) ### Heated debate as patriarch forces removal of memorial to beloved bishop in Alqosh URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/heated-debate-as-patriarch-forces-removal-of-memorial-to-beloved-bishop-in-alqosh/ Last updated: 2025-11-06T05:54:55.000Z **A recent controversy** has brewed online among the Assyrian community surrounding the removal of the name of the late Bishop Thabet Habib Yousif al Mekko of Alqosh from a new funeral hall in the town. The construction of the hall began before the passing of Bishop Thabet earlier this year, who was beloved by the community for his humility and warm personality. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Thabet_Habib2.jpg) Bishop Thabet Habib Yousif Mekko, the late bishop of Alqosh. According to a conversation the AP had with a source from Iraqi Assyria, a businessman named Adel Sadiq Kajo from Alqosh had started to construct the hall per the request of Bishop Thabet on land owned by the church. When Thabet passed away, Kajo and a deacon in the diocese decided to name the hall after him. However, in a recent visit by Cardinal Sako to Alqosh, he refused the decision to have the funeral hall named after Bishop Thabet, and asked Kajo to have it changed. When Kajo refused, Sako is said to have threatened to have his business in Erbil closed down with the help of Kurdish authorities, which left Kajo no choice but to rename it to the "Alqosh Hall". Local sources also indicated that KDP-instilled mayor Lara Zara and Ghazwan Shahara, a priest in the church, were also involved in the removal of Thabet's name. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/571359832_1395165485521613_8209014508142217893_n-1.jpg) A picture of the front sign of the hall after Sako forced the removal of the name of the late Bishop Thabet More information was provided in a public [Facebook post](https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story%5Ffbid=1395165368854958&id=100050845252497&rdid=VaAHhwyY9Q0ELQSH#) by Leon Barkho, an Assyrian professor emeritus at Sweden’s Jönköping University who used to be close to Sako but has distanced himself from him due to the patriarchs recent actions. According to the post on Facebook, Sako promised Kajo that the church would pay for the expenses of building the funeral hall if he removed Thabet's name from the front marble. Barkho's post also stated that Sako had recently had an altar in the Mar Qardagh Church forcefully removed and replaced with an altar that does not conform to eastern church traditions, a move that has added to the opposition against the patriarch. Barkho also confirmed that Sako had appealed to Kurdish security forces (including the Asayish) to impose his decision on the hall. Additional comments written by Barkho state that Kajo acknowledged the threat to his business as a reason for the name change, and that he was put under pressure to issue a [public statement](https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story%5Ffbid=1142458834678651&id=100067436348349&rdid=KmmLlwT5MMI50J6z#). In that statement Kajo claims that he changed the name of the hall voluntarily, and that no coercion was involved. ### **A response to personal criticism?** The situation of the rename has caused a heated debate among Assyrians of the Chaldean Catholic Church. Many consider it as part of a campaign by Sako to undermine Thabet's legacy since his passing. When Thabet was still alive, he was considered one of five bishops that refused to attend the Chaldean Catholic Synod in 2024 out of disagreements to Sako's emphasis on non-issues in the church. The other bishops included Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, Bishop Azad Sabri Shaba of Nohadra (Duhok), Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona of Sydney and apostolic visitor for Chaldean Catholics in Europe Saad Sirop Hanna. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-05-at-23.30.25.png) Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church. In response to the situation, Sako issued a [statement](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DPhmQqDV1/) attempting to explain his rationale for removing Thabet's name from the hall. In the letter, Sako wrote about all the different bishops that the diocese of Alqosh had over the years, while mentioning Thabet as a bishop who served the least amount of years and stating it wouldn't make sense to have his name on the hall. Many have likened this statement to Sako indirectly insulting Thabet and attempting to undermine his impact on both the diocese and the Assyrians he served in Alqosh. ### Nineveh's governor wants Assyrians to return URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ninevehs-governor-wants-assyrians-to-return/ Last updated: 2025-12-28T00:03:41.000Z The current governor of Nineveh says he wants Assyrians not only to stay, but to return – and he is taking concrete steps to improve life for them across the province. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Kurdish entity forced to retreat from attempt to impose curriculum in Syria’s Gozarto Region URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-entity-forced-to-retreat-from-attempt-to-impose-curriculum-in-syrias-gozarto-region/ Last updated: 2025-11-04T06:00:56.000Z **The Assyrian Democratic** Organization (ADO), the main representative body of the Assyrians in the Gozarto Region, announced in a statement on November 2 that the self-proclaimed Kurdish administration has been forced to withdraw its demand to impose its own curriculum on private schools belonging to the indigenous Assyrian population, and those of other groups. This development marks the second failed attempt by the Kurdish entity to enforce their curriculum on Assyrian schools, following a similar episode in 2018 that led to widespread and, in some cases, violent protests. The Kurdish PYD (Democratic Union Party) and its military wing, the YPG, gradually took control of the Gozarto (Jazira) Region beginning in mid 2012, during the early years of the Syrian civil war. [Kurdish militants close down Assyrian schools by force in Syria’s northeastThe Kurdish group in control of northeast Syria’s Gozarto Region has once again closed down Assyrian schools by force in an attempt to impose its own curriculum.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-23.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Assyrian-schools-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-militants-close-down-assyrian-schools-by-force-in-syrias-northeast/) In its statement, the Assyrian Democratic Organization confirmed that an agreement was reached between the Council of Churches in the Gozarto Region and the Kurdish entity. The ADO said that “students will return to their schools starting tomorrow, Monday (November 3), and that the schools will continue to adopt the curriculum of the Syrian Ministry of Education.” The agreement ensures that the private schools will keep teaching the national curriculum during the 2025–2026 academic year. The ADO hailed this outcome as a result of steadfast resistance and called for “further cooperation” between the Council of Churches and the national Assyrian parties and institutions. [Assyrian Democratic Organization denounces forced closure of Assyrian schools by Kurdish groupTwo leading Assyrian organizations, the Assyrian Democratic Organization and The Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights, have denounced and condemned the closure of Assyrian schools in northeast Syria’s Gozarto Region by Kurdish militants.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-24.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/ADO-.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assy/) According to local sources in Qamishli who spoke with the Post, representatives of the church foundations had threatened to issue a statement announcing not only the closure of the schools but also of all churches across the region if the Kurdish entity persisted in enforcing its curriculum. Upon being informed of the firm stance taken by both political and church leaders, Mazlum Abdi, head of the Kurdish group, reportedly ordered a reversal of the previous decision. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Amal-2-1.jpg) Amal (Hope) Assyrian School in al-Hasakah, featuring Assyrian script on its facade. Photo: Amal School The Assyrian schools in the region date back to the 1930s, long before the creation of the Syrian state by British and French colonial powers. Together with several Armenian schools and others belonging to various Christian denominations, the total number of private schools affected by the recent kurdification attempts stands at around forty. ### The broader picture: a setback for the Kurdish project The reopening of the schools follows weeks of pressure and disinformation campaigns by the Kurdish administration and its proxy group, the Syriac Union Party (SUP). The SUP is a marginal organization created and tightly controlled by the PYD to undermine the role of independent Assyrian bodies, primarily the Assyrian Democratic Organization, by attempting to present itself as the legitimate representative of the indigenous Assyrian population. This tactic of creating parallel entities to weaken genuine Assyrian institutions has long been used by the Barzani-led KDP party in northern Iraq. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Sanharib-barsom.webp) Sanharib Barsom, from the Syriac Union Party. In the end, the Kurdish entity failed to advance its kurdification agenda and was forced to retreat. The solidarity and cohesion of Assyrian political and religious organizations, along with other community groups, proved stronger than the intimidation, pressure, and propaganda efforts carried out by the PYD and the Syriac Union Party and its affiliated news outlets like Syriac Press. The retreat demonstrates that the Kurdish militia controlling the Gozarto Region fears a backlash from the indigenous population and, above all, fears damaging its fabricated image of “peaceful coexistence”, an image it has heavily promoted to western audiences to justify its continued control of the area and to maintain US support. ### In Germany, new Assyrian communities establish themselves along older ones URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/in-germany-new-assyrian-communities-establish-themselves-along-older-ones/ Last updated: 2025-11-08T17:54:31.000Z **While Assyrians from** the Syriac Orthodox Church are well-established in Germany, with long-standing associations and thriving parishes, Assyrians from other denominations, such as the Chaldean Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East, are only now becoming more firmly rooted. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Vreden-Kirche.jpg) Members of the parish getting the altar ready for the consecration in Vreden. Photo: Mar Odisho & Mar Qardakh Members of the Assyrian Church of the East are among the groups gaining a stronger foothold. On 2 November this year, a new altar was inaugurated at the Mar Georgis Church in Vreden, a small town on the German–Dutch border. Although an Assyrian community has existed in Vreden since the 1990s, it has only now reached the point of establishing its own parish. This milestone is largely due to an influx of new arrivals, mainly from the Khabur area in Syria’s Gozarto Region. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Borken-1.jpg) Sunday mass at the church in Borken. Photo: Mar Odisho & Mar Qardakh Just fifteen minutes south lies Borken, another small town with its own Assyrian community. There, the Mar Odisho & Mar Qardagh Church was consecrated in 2013\. Like in Vreden, the Assyrian presence in Borken is old and dates back to 1997, when the parish of the Assyrian Church of the East was founded. As in many other towns, the community’s growth and ability to acquire a church building came with the arrival of Assyrians fleeing the civil war in Syria. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Kirche-lesen-1.jpg) Assyrian language class at the Assyrian church in Borken, Germany. Photo: Mar Odisho & Mar Qardakh Kirche ### The ascent of Catholic Assyrians The Catholic Assyrians of the Chaldean Church are also growing in number, with communities increasingly taking root across Germany. With around 20,000 members, they now form the second-largest Assyrian denomination after the Syriac Orthodox. Roughly a third of the Chaldean Catholic Assyrians live in the greater Stuttgart area, but there are now about a dozen of parishes spread throughout the country. Most members fled to Germany during the wars in Iraq, while others came from Syria’s Gozarto Region, southeastern Turkey’s Hakkari and Şırnak provinces, and a smaller number from Iran. Today, Chaldean Catholic parishes can be found in Stuttgart, Pforzheim, and Heilbronn in Baden-Württemberg; Ludwigshafen am Rhein and Mainz in Rhineland-Palatinate; and Augsburg, Munich, and Nuremberg in Bavaria. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Nikolaus.jpg) Norbert Linden, pastor of the parish of St. Nikolaus, symbolically handing over the key to the Stoppenberg church to the Assyrian Catholic parish. Photo: Achim Pohl | Diocese of Essen ### Assyrian chants in German churches With the growth of these communities and the decline of many local German parishes, several Assyrian congregations have taken over unused church buildings. In Essen-Stoppenberg, western Germany, Assyrians from the Chaldean Catholic Church took over the St. Nicholaus Church from a local Catholic parish that could no longer maintain it due to dwindling numbers. In Borken, the Mar Odisho & Mar Qardagh Church was purchased from an evangelical parish. Likewise, many former German churches have become home to Assyrians of the Syriac Orthodox Church, where new chants in the ancient tongue of the Assyrians now fill the once-empty halls. ### Assyrian Business Council of Australia: Connecting a growing diaspora through entrepreneurship URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-business-council-of-australia-connecting-a-growing-diaspora-through-entrepreneurship/ Last updated: 2025-11-02T07:09:32.000Z ### **The Assyrian Business** Council of Australia (ABCA), founded in 2025, has quickly established itself as a key platform for Assyrian entrepreneurs. Designed to foster networking, mentorship, and collaboration, the ABCA represents a significant step forward for the Assyrian community in the country. At the core of the business council are some of the community’s most accomplished professionals, including Anter Isaac who is the chairman of Football Australia, the governing body for soccer in Australia. With him in the council board are Susan Warda, a successful lawyer and partner of a leading Sydney family law firm, Dr George Marano, founder and Principal Consultant at a boutique firm dedicated to strategic management, Dr Daniella Beniamen, a neurosurgeon, and Lucas Barkho, a lawyer at an award winning law firm. Together, they have begun to shape an organisation that aims to unite Assyrians across industries, generations, and backgrounds. ### Patterns of entrepreneurship While no formal studies exist on entrepreneurship among Assyrian-Australians, Assyrians own a significant number of small businesses in areas such as Sydney’s City of Fairfield, City of Blacktown, and in Melbourne. These businesses span a wide range of sectors, including real estate, finance, retail, service and hospitality. With new generations of Australian-born Assyrians graduating in diverse fields and entering the workforce, more are choosing to pursue entrepreneurship compared to the first generation that settled in Australia. And while the tight-knit community networks were more crucial for the first generation in Australia, the second- and third-generation Assyrian-Australians are entering the market with a higher degree of professionalisation, as more of them have an education and a professional network, enabling them to scale and establish larger services. This growing trend is one the ABCA aims to encourage and strengthen. ### "An Assyrian business incubator" In less than a year of its founding, the ABCA has already managed to host three successful networking events. The first, in Sydney's Central Business District, offered attendees a professional setting to meet, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for collaboration. The second, held at the Assyrian Sports & Cultural Club in Fairfield Heights, created a more relaxed and welcoming environment where established business leaders mingled with young professionals and students. The third, a Women in Business event, held in Sydney's CBD, which offered a space for Assyrian women to hear from a speaker about about brand building and developing confidence with business skills. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-02-at-00.55.25.png) Photos from the Women in Business event held in October 2025\. Photo: ABCA The gatherings have highlighted the enthusiasm within the Assyrian community for spaces that foster connection, learning, and growth, serving as an unofficial business incubator. "If we are to survive as a people we must learn to work together, and through business we can maintain and grow what it is to be Assyrian," Dr George Marano told the Post. With its foundation laid, the ABCA looks to officially launch in 2026\. The path forward and the vision are clear for Dr Marano and his colleagues: “We want an organisation that establishes and facilitates the economic empowerment of Assyrians in Australia, it's that simple”, he said. ### Two Assyrian players behind Swedish club's qualification to the UEFA Conference League URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/two-assyrian-players-behind-swedish-clubs-qualification-to-the-uefa-conference-league/ Last updated: 2025-11-01T07:30:43.000Z Hammarby IF, a Swedish football team in the countries top division, has secured qualification for the 2025–26 UEFA Europa Conference League, marking a return to European competition for the club. The achievement carries special significance for the Swedish-Assyrian community, with two players of Assyrian heritage, captain Nahir Besara and rising star Adrian Lahdo, playing key roles in the team’s success. Nahir Besara, a product of Södertälje’s Assyriska FF, delivered a remarkable campaign with 17 goals and 4 assists in 28 games, making him the joint top scorer in the Swedish top division, Allsvenskan, at the time of writing. His leadership and consistency were further recognised when he was named Allsvenskan Player of the Month in August. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Adrian Lahdo impressed in his debut senior season, registering two assists and establishing himself as one of Sweden’s most promising young midfielders. ### **The Assyrian Legacy Within Hammarby and Beyond** Hammarby IF has long been connected to Sweden’s Assyrian community, having featured numerous players of Assyrian background over the past two decades. Alongside Besara and Lahdo, the club has previously fielded Mayckel Lahdo, Adrian’s older brother, who now plays in France’s Ligue 1 with FC Nantes. Other notable Assyrian alumni include Kennedy Bakircioglü, Andreas Haddad, and Stefan Batan, all of whom began their careers at Assyriska FF, a club founded in 1974 by Assyrian immigrants from the northern regions of Assyria. Bakircioglü remains one of Hammarby’s most iconic figures. His famous “beer celebration,” where he caught and drank a beer thrown from the crowd after scoring a free kick, is etched into Swedish football folklore. His career included a trial at Manchester United, and spells at Twente, Ajax, and Racing Santander, before returning to Hammarby, where his legendary #10 jersey was retired, a distinction no other player has received at the club. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/AFF.jpg) Four Assyrian players who started their careers in Assyriska FF: Top left: Andreas Haddad, top right: Kennedy Bakircioglü, bottom left: Nahir Besara, bottom right: Stefan Batan. Photo: AFF ### **A Breeding Ground for Assyrian Football Talent** Sweden continues to produce talented Assyrian footballers, many of whom have gone on to represent various national teams, a reflection of the Assyrian diaspora’s global reach. Notable names include Mikael Ishak (Lech Poznań and Sweden international), Jimmy Durmaz (former Sweden international and World Cup participant), Rebin Sulaka, Kevin Yakob, André Alsanati, Peter Gwargis, Lucas Shlimon, Noah Shamoun, Antonio Yakoub, Elmar Abraham, and Simon Amin (Iraq and Syria internationals). Both Shamoun and Shlimon are products of Assyriska IK, a club based in the Swedish town of Jönköping, known for developing professional-level talent. Assyrians have also represented Lebanon, with brothers Felix and Alexander Michel among the latest of Assyrian heritage to don the Cedars’ national jersey. ### **A Platform for Identity and Representation** For decades, sport has served as a vital platform for Assyrians to express their identity, foster community pride, and gain international visibility. From Ammo Baba, the legendary Iraqi footballer of Assyrian heritage, to the new generation of Assyrian athletes in Europe, football has symbolised both perseverance and cultural pride. In Sweden, home to one of the world’s largest Assyrian diasporas, football has become a unifying force and a vehicle for representation. The stories of Besara and Lahdo at Hammarby reflect that evolution, from community-founded clubs in Södertälje to the top tiers of Scandinavian football and now into European competition. As Hammarby prepare for their Europa Conference League campaign next season, Assyrians from Södertälje to Sarsing will be watching closely, not just in support of a football club, but in celebration of two players who embody the resilience, ambition, and enduring identity of an ancient nation with modern dreams. ### Renewed calls to divide Nineveh province spark political debate in Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/debate-to-break-up-nineveh-province-gains-new-traction/ Last updated: 2025-10-31T06:09:48.000Z **The future of** Iraq’s Nineveh province has been a subject of debate and competing initiatives since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003\. Home to around 3.7 million people, Nineveh is Iraq’s second most populous and third largest province. Often described as a miniature Iraq, it mirrors the country’s ethnic and religious mosaic since the construction of the country by the British in the 1930s. Under Article 140 of Iraq’s Constitution, disputed territories such as Sinjar and the Nineveh Plain were meant to undergo normalization, a census, and a referendum to determine their status, a process stalled for more than a decade. Assyrians and Yazidis, who form majorities in the Nineveh Plain and Sinjar respectively, were among the first to advocate for breaking up the large province. In January 2014, the Iraqi government took an initial step toward establishing a new province encompassing the Nineveh Plain Region. However, that process was cut short when ISIS emerged later that year, derailing political efforts and forcing most Assyrians to flee. The issue has remained off the government’s agenda ever since, despite ISIS’s defeat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-29-at-23.43.26-1.png) The Nineveh Plain Region, marked in red, covers around 8,000 square kilometers in northern Iraq and forms part of historical Assyria. ### Rekindled debate following Halabja's new status The debate over the future of Assyrians, Yazidis, and others in Nineveh has resurfaced following the Iraqi parliament’s decision in April this year to recognize Halabja and its surrounding districts as Iraq’s 19th province. That move has revived calls from various groups to create new provinces, especially within Nineveh. Following Halabja’s recognition, Iraq’s Badr parliamentary bloc called for the creation of a new province encompassing the districts of Tal Afar, Sinjar, and the Nineveh Plains. The Badr Organization, a Shi’a political group led by Hadi al-Amiri, holds 17 seats in parliament. At a press conference in Baghdad, lawmaker Waad al-Qaddo, a Shabak minority representative and member of the Badr bloc, said the proposal aimed to address governance gaps affecting Turkmen, Yazidi, and Assyrian populations. “The people of Tal Afar, Sinjar, and the Nineveh Plains have been marginalized,” al-Qaddo told reporters. “Establishing a new province is necessary to ensure justice and fair representation.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Qaddo-1.png) Waad al-Qaddo, a controversial figure representing the Shabak minority. Al-Qaddo’s proposal, presented as a way to protect minorities, differs from the one put forward by Assyrian political parties led by the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM). In a joint statement issued after the Halabja decision, they called for the creation of a Nineveh Plain province. “A decision to establish such a Nineveh Plain province would fall well within existing legislation, as decided by the Iraqi cabinet on January 21, 2014, and as incorporated in Article 125 of the Iraqi Constitution and Law No. 21 of 2008 concerning Governorates Not Incorporated into a Region,” the statement read. ### Sunni-Arab objections The renewed calls to divide Nineveh have not been welcomed by all. The Civilians (Madaniyoun) Party rejected the proposals on October 19, warning that any move to partition the province would endanger Iraq’s unity and risk reigniting internal conflict. The Madaniyoun Party, launched this October and led by independent lawmaker Ahmed al-Jubouri, a Sunni MP from Nineveh, is closely linked to the Iraqi Communist Party. At its launch, al-Jubouri described the group as a national movement rooted in the rule of law and a “non-sectarian civil state.” “The party seeks to strengthen Iraq’s institutions and advance beyond quota-based power sharing and sectarian politics,” he said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-29-at-22.52.46-1-1-1.png) Ahmed al-Jubouri, a Sunni MP from Mosul opposes the creation of the Nineveh Plain Province. Party official Osama al-Khattat told a local outlet that all “political, tribal, and religious forces” must unite to defend Nineveh’s integrity, warning that calls to divide the province “would ignite new strife and serve only Iraq’s enemies.” Sunni Arabs remain the majority population in Nineveh province. ### The Halabja example Halabja’s long road to provincial status illustrates the challenges and political bargaining involved. The new province, comprising Halabja District and the surrounding districts of Sharazoor, Penjwen, and Said Sadiq, was previously part of Sulaymaniyah Province. The process began with a KRG decision in June 2013, followed by a 2015 KRG parliamentary vote recognizing Halabja as a province within the region. However, Baghdad refused to acknowledge the decision for years, leaving Halabja in limbo and underfunded. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Halabja_in_Iraq.svg.png) The new Halabja province is Iraq's smallest and least populated, comprising 889 km2 (343 sq mi) and with only 140 thousand inhabitants. A breakthrough came this year after negotiations between Shi’a and Kurdish blocs linked the Halabja bill to other contentious issues, including legislation concerning the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and proposals to convert Shi’a-majority districts such as Tal Afar, Tuz Khurmatu, and Al-Faw into provinces. For Assyrians in the Nineveh Plain Region, Halabja serves as both a precedent and a warning. On one hand, it strengthens the political argument for a Nineveh Plain province; on the other, it highlights the risk of protracted political wrangling that can leave local populations economically and administratively stranded for years. ### Assyrian language schools in Sydney meet to discuss ways to improve URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-language-schools-in-sydney-meet-to-discuss-ways-to-improve/ Last updated: 2025-10-30T06:32:31.000Z **The event, held** on 19th of October and hosted by the Athree Assyrian Centre under the title "The Reality of Assyrian Language Schools in Sydney", marked a milestone for the community. The seminar brought together principals of Sydney’s Assyrian language schools for the first time to discuss the future of Assyrian language education, its challenges, and opportunities for unity and development. Sydney is home to six Assyrian language schools, with representatives from five in attendance. These included Diqlat Assyrian School, the oldest Assyrian school in Australia, established in 1974 and operated by the Assyrian Australian Association, Nisibin Assyrian School, the Assyrian Language College (which caters for adult learners), as well as schools run by the Assyrian Church of the East and the Ancient Church of the East. The St Thomas Urhai School, run by Assyrians from the Chaldean Catholic Church, was not present at the seminar. The discussion covered a range of topics, with each principal sharing insights into their school’s history, student and teacher numbers, and curriculum design, as well as methods for teaching the language effectively. Participants also explored ways to strengthen cooperation between schools and increase community engagement. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Schools-seminar-1-1.jpg) **Principals, teachers, and community representatives gather at Abgar Hall for the first Assyrian Language Schools Seminar in Sydney. (Photo: Athree Assyrian Centre / Facebook)* > “When it comes to parties, hundreds attend but when it’s about our culture and language, the numbers drop" One of the main challenges raised was scheduling, as weekend classes often clash with students’ sporting and extracurricular commitments. Many students also experience fatigue from weekday schooling, affecting focus and attendance. Around 70 people attended the event in person, most of them teachers and volunteers involved in language education. The seminar’s livestream drew over 2,000 views, reflecting the interest for the issues discussed. Sargon Warde, principal of the Nisibin Assyrian School, expressed disappointment at the low physical turnout, noting that “when it comes to parties, hundreds attend but when it’s about our culture and language, the numbers drop.” His remarks highlighted the ongoing challenge of prioritising cultural education within the community. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Sargon-Warde-1.jpg) Sargon Warde, Principal of the Nisibin Assyrian School, speaking at the seminar During the seminar, SBS Assyrian PresenterNinos Kako proposed establishing an *Assyrian Language Council*, an international network where educators and linguists could meet virtually to exchange ideas, share resources, and coordinate initiatives. Mr Warde agreed, pointing out that the seminar represented “the first step” toward such initiatives, emphasising the importance of continued collaboration among Assyrian institutions. “Our language is our existence,” he said, underscoring the vital role of language preservation in maintaining Assyrian identity in the diaspora. [The need for innovation and cooperation in Assyrian language educationSargon Warde, principal of Nissibin Language School—one of the six Assyrian language schools in Sydney participating in the first Assyrian Language Schools Seminar—spoke to SBS Assyrian about the importance of such gatherings in fostering discussion and finding practical solutions for improvement…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/app-icon_192x192-5d5e260-1.png)SBS Language![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/90-2)](https://www.sbs.com.au/language/assyrian/en/podcast-episode/the-need-for-innovation-and-cooperation-in-assyrian-language-education/c8lew316a?ref=assyriapost.com) ### The secret lobbying that led to the return of the NPU force URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-secret-lobbying-that-led-to-the-return-of-the-npu-force/ Last updated: 2025-12-28T00:04:05.000Z The Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU) have been officially reinstated after years of forced merger with the Iran-aligned Babylon Brigades. The Post can now reveal how the decision was reached. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Calls for Assyrian refugee resettlement in Australia seen as outdated URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/calls-for-assyrian-refugee-resettlement-in-australia-seen-as-outdated/ Last updated: 2025-10-28T06:40:23.000Z **Representatives from Australia’s** leading Assyrian institutions met recently with Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship, and Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, to discuss the ongoing humanitarian challenges facing displaced Assyrians in the Middle East. It is estimated that several thousand Assyrians, most from Iraq’s Assyrian region, remain stranded in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, unable to find resettlement in Western nations. Many of these Assyrians were displaced following the ISIS invasion of the Nineveh Plain Region in northern Iraq and the Gozarto Region in northeastern Syria. Others have left since the defeat of ISIS, driven by economic hardship and instability. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Assyrian-National-Council-Australia-1.jpg) **The Hon. Tony Burke MP and The Hon. Chris Bowen MP meet with representatives from the Assyrian National Council of Australia. (Photo: Chris Bowen MP / Facebook)* The meetings, held across several community centers in Sydney’s western suburb of Fairfield, home to one of the largest Assyrian communities in Australia, were organized separately by the Assyrian National Council of Australia, Assyrian representatives from the Chaldean Catholic Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Assyrian Australian Association. The organizations reportedly advocated for the resettlement of Assyrian refugees to Australia. Hermiz Shahen, President of the Assyrian National Council of Australia, urged the Department of Home Affairs to review the most vulnerable refugee cases for possible resettlement, coordinate with UNHCR to identify at-risk Assyrian families, and reform the Community Support Program (CSP) to better assist refugees facing financial hardship. The CSP program allows individuals, businesses, and community organizations to sponsor refugees, supporting their resettlement and integration into Australian society through private funding and community engagement. The program receives far more applications than the yearly visa quota allows, leading to significant processing backlogs that can take eight or more years. “Our purpose is not to encourage our people to leave Assyria, but to uphold their human rights wherever they live,” Mr. Shahen said. “We look to Australia’s humanitarian leadership to help those who have nowhere else to turn.” The same message was echoed by representatives of other Assyrian organizations and churches in their meetings with the ministers. ### An Outdated Approach? The humanitarian position of the Assyrian-Australian community leaders, although noble and coming from a genuine desire to help, stands in contrast to growing efforts by other Assyrian organizations that focus on aiding displaced families return to their homeland. One such organization,*The Return*, reports a rising number of inquiries from diaspora Assyrians interested in moving back. [The Return: A growing movement guiding Assyrians back to AssyriaThe Return organization is helping an increasing number of diaspora Assyrians to move back to Iraqi Assyria.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-21.png)The Assyria Post\- The Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_2789-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/the-return-a-growing-movement-guiding-assyrians-back-to-assyria/) With improved security, stability, and a range of active Assyrian-led initiatives on the ground, some argue that it is no longer accurate to claim that displaced Assyrians “have nowhere else to turn.” The Assyrian-Australian community’s continued emphasis on refugee resettlement is increasingly viewed as outdated and out of step with the wider trend toward return and reconstruction. The emerging consensus among many Assyrian groups is that refugees should return once conditions permit, conditions that, they argue, have improved significantly since the defeat of ISIS. This has prompted some to suggest that Assyrian organizations in Australia should encourage the government to launch programs supporting voluntary return, rather than focusing solely on relocation to Australia. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Hungary-Helps.webp) A solar powered water pumping system on an Assyrian-owned farm in Alqosh, the Nineveh Plain Region, financed through the Hungary Helps program. Photo: Hungary Helps One such state sponsored initiative is the Hungary Helps program, launched by the Hungarian government in part to facilitate the return of displaced Assyrians. Rather than focusing on diaspora resettlement, the program emphasizes strengthening the Assyrian Christian presence in their ancestral homeland. Projects include the restoration of damaged homes, schools, and churches in towns such as Tesqopa and Batnaya in the Nineveh Plain Region, as well as agricultural training and humanitarian aid for displaced families. Observers note that Australia, a far wealthier nation, could do far more than Hungary to help Assyrians rebuild their lives on their own land. ### Arbo becomes second Assyrian village to shed Turkish-imposed name URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/arbo-becomes-second-assyrian-village-to-shed-turkish-imposed-name/ Last updated: 2025-12-13T10:49:36.000Z An Assyrian village in Turkey’s Assyrian heartland has successfully petitioned to restore its original name, raising hopes that others may soon follow. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Return: A growing movement guiding Assyrians back to Assyria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-return-a-growing-movement-guiding-assyrians-back-to-assyria/ Last updated: 2025-10-26T07:07:12.000Z **In recent years**, a quiet yet meaningful movement has been taking place among the Assyrian diaspora – a gradual return to Assyria. At the forefront of this effort is *The Return*, a volunteer-led initiative assisting Assyrians who wish to move back to Assyrian regions in Iraq. The Post spoke with Dilan Adamat, founder of *The Return*, who himself moved from Europe to Ankawa in 2019 after nearly three decades abroad. He shared insights into the growing interest in returning, his personal story, and how *The Return* is supporting Assyrians through this complex yet deeply personal journey. ### A Rising Interest in Returning According to Dilan, interest in returning to Assyria has grown significantly in recent years. “Ten to fifteen years ago, many people spoke about return out of nostalgia,” he explained. “Today, it’s more than nostalgia, the situation in here has improved, and with better promotion of the country by individuals and groups visiting, more Assyrians are actually taking the step to come back.” *The Return* identifies several distinct groups among returnees:Recent emigrants – those who left Iraqi Assyria within the past 10–15 years and still have strong family ties, Arabic or Kurdish language skills, and Iraqi citizenship. Their challenges often relate to employment or their children’s education.Second-generation Assyrians, like Dilan, who left Iraq as children or were born abroad. They tend to visit first, then gradually extend their stay while learning local languages and finding sustainable work.Retirees, who emigrated decades ago but have investments or pensions allowing them to resettle in Iraq for the later stages of life. “There’s a big difference between these groups,” Dilan said. “Those born and raised abroad usually need more support – learning Arabic and Kurdish, navigating bureaucracy, and integrating socially. The more integrated you are, the more sustainable your return becomes.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-26-at-00.52.08-1.png) Dilan Adamat, the founder of The Return. Photo: The Return. ### The Numbers Behind the Movement While precise data is hard to come by, *The Return* estimates that over the past 10–15 years, around 50 young Assyrians born and raised in the diaspora have returned for extended stays, some for months or years, others permanently. The movement among retirees and recent emigrants is significantly larger, numbering in the hundreds and growing steadily. “We get messages daily, people asking how to get Iraqi citizenship, find jobs, or invest in real estate,” Dilan said. Social scientists refer to this not simply as “return migration,” but as return mobility, a phenomenon where people maintain active ties to both their country of origin and their diaspora community. “Even when they return, their connection to the diaspora remains,” Dilan noted. “It often takes a full generation before return becomes truly sustainable.” ### Dilan’s Journey: From France to Ankawa Dilan left Iraqi Assyria as a child and grew up in France. Though he had no early memories of his homeland, summer visits as a teenager changed everything. “Those short trips built a sense of belonging,” he recalled. “After 2013, I began coming every year, trying to understand the country myself.” While working as a lawyer in Paris, Dilan made a conscious decision to return to Iraqi Assyria before settling into a permanent life in France. “I realised if I stayed longer, I’d buy a house, get married, and it would become harder to leave. So I took the leap. I quit my job, had no job waiting in Iraq, but was optimistic – I wanted to give 100%.” He has no regrets. “I was happy in France, but it wasn’t what I wanted. If you choose something, you must sacrifice something else,” he said. “Returning or staying is a choice – and staying away is also a choice to abandon part of who we are. I wanted to build something for our people, not just a career for myself.” ### How *The Return* Supports Returnees Each returnee’s journey is different, and *The Return* tailors its support accordingly. The organisation assists with:Paperwork and citizenship issues, including cases where Assyrians born abroad were never registered as Iraqi citizens.Social and professional integration, such as connecting returnees with local employers and universities.Housing and security coordination, helping new arrivals navigate local systems.Promotion of Assyrian entrepreneurship, ensuring returnees’ livelihoods are sustainable. “The goal is to normalise the idea of returning,” Dilan said. “Many want to come back but fear being judged by relatives or think it’s impossible. Even my family didn’t support me at first.” A comprehensive Return Guide is set to be published on *The Return*’s website later this year, a practical handbook on everything from finding housing to navigating the job market in Iraq. Though currently volunteer-run, *The Return* hopes to grow into a staffed organisation with case managers who can follow up with returnees and help them build long-term stability. ### A Movement Rooted in Identity and Purpose For Dilan, returning was never just a personal move — it was a statement of identity. “Many people abroad are active in the Assyrian movement. But here, it’s about living it,” he said. “Some here see themselves only as Christians, others as Assyrians, some speak Assyrian, some don’t. But *The Return* doesn’t discriminate – it helps everyone who wants to come back.” Ultimately, he believes returning is not only about individuals but about the collective future. ### Learn More To learn more about *The Return*, visit their [official website](https://the-return.co/?ref=assyriapost.com) or [social media pages](https://www.instagram.com/the%5Freturn%5Forg/?ref=assyriapost.com) for updates on the upcoming Return Guide, stories of Assyrian returnees, and resources for those considering the move back home. Watch Dilan Adamat’s interview in English Watch Dilan Adamat’s interview in Arabic A portrait of a returnee from Australia ### A look at traditional Assyrian clothing and the struggle to keep it alive URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-wedding-traditions-as-partly-found-by-ramcina-gabriel-2/ Last updated: 2025-10-28T20:16:41.000Z By Andrew Rassam **In a previous** article I wrote for the Post, I mentioned a project that I had as part of my non-profit (*Suraye Educational Collective*). This project was called the Cultural Document, but having not progressed with it in over a year, I decided to retire it and move on with other Assyrian-related work. Yet the document contained a wealth of knowledge and information that hadn’t been previously reported, none of which could afford to be lost. And so, I set out to place the information elsewhere wherever I could. > "Compared to other groups in West Asia, our traditional clothing doesn’t really receive a lot of research or documentation" In my previous article, I discussed some of the wedding traditions that are practiced by our people today. With the help of my friend Ramcina Gabriel (who made videos discussing these traditions on Instagram), I was able to write down a plethora of information about our traditions that previously never received online documentation, a trend which should hopefully be on the rise soon. While I copied down her notes, though, she helped me with the document by writing down information about our traditional clothing. Unfortunately, compared to other groups in West Asia, our traditional clothing doesn’t really receive a lot of research or documentation. Or maybe, one hasn’t yet sought it out to compile everything into one place. Even so, information on our clothing traditions is scarce and hard to come by besides a website or two. This article will mostly be a copy-paste of the information that Ramcina wrote on my prior document. However, there’s also new information included that hasn’t previously been reported in any online source. Ultimately, the takeaway here is that our clothing is not only rooted in our ancient heritage, but also our resilience as a people in maintaining our modern culture. ### What are traditional Assyrian costumes? Assyrian traditional clothing is known as Khomala (Julet Khomala) and has been crafted in Assyrian villages across generations of people. The term "Khomala" means "decoration", or literally "adornment", referencing that these were clothes that were not everyday wear, but instead worn for festive occasions. Surely enough, in recent years, Khomala is worn primarily for celebratory events, like the Assyrian New Year festival, weddings and other festivities. The term “Khomala” isn’t universal across the Assyrian nation. Assyrians from the Nineveh Plains (Deshta d'Ninawe), the majority being members of the Chaldean Catholic Church, will call their clothing “Julet Matha”, meaning “Village clothing”, which have entirely distinct styles that some stereotype as more reminiscent of Arab clothing yet fall under the Khomala umbrella. Typically, Deshta (Plain) Assyrians will refer to the clothing by way of the village where it's worn (Juleh d'Alqosh, Juleh d'Tesqopa, etc.). Meanwhile, Assyrians from Tur Abdin call their attire “Jule ‘Edonoye” (festive clothes). Every district where Assyrians live across the homeland had their own local style of dress, including their own festive clothes. The Khomala discussed in this article is unique to Assyrians of the Hakkari region, as it’s essentially become the “standard” form of Assyrian clothing seen today. Though other tribes in the Hakkari region had their own sets of clothing, these styles have not been able to be maintained into the modern day. The most recognizable form of Julet Khomala originated within the Tyari tribe of Hakkari, even with the dark gray cap being commonly known as the “Tyari cap” (which includes feathers representing their warrior-like spirit). Khomala garments were the traditional attire of the Hakkari region, with each tribe featuring unique variations to distinguish themselves. While not all tribal clothing has been thoroughly documented, notable differences existed among them. For instance, Tkhomnaiyeh predominantly adorned themselves in white Khomala attire. The Tyariayie Layieh tribe (upper Tyari) typically omitted scarves from their clothing, whereas the Tyariayie Khtayie tribe (lower Tyari) commonly wore long scarves around their necks, more frequently observed with men. Khomala attire, embellished with intricate embroidered patterns, served as a canvas for expressing the unique identity of each tribe. These patterns, meticulously crafted by the women of the tribe, bore significance and symbolism, though much of their original meanings have been obscured by the tragic events of genocides, massacres, and displacement. Namely, Khomala making changed drastically after the Assyrian genocide, with the Assyrians of Hakkari having been uprooted from their native lands. Even Assyrians from Tur Abdin stopped wearing traditional clothing after the genocide, out of fears of persecution. Nevertheless, common motifs such as crosses, the tree of life, zigzags symbolizing the rugged mountains of Hakkari, and various floral designs were prevalent. These traditional patterns could be seen on wool socks as well. These embroidered embellishments not only added beauty to the garments but also served as cultural markers, reflecting the rich heritage and traditions of the Hakkari region. > "Some accounts even suggest that women deliberately adorned themselves with numerous silver accessories to attract attention" ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-23-at-23.16.28-1.png) A woman wearing the traditional Alqosh dress. Credit: Assyrian Cultural and Social Youth Association For Assyrian women, Khomala is a dress made of velour, decorated with silver adornments. They wear silver decorated headdresses called “Poshyia”, silver around their breasts called “Sanjak” (representing the wearer’s readiness for ceremonial duties), and silver waist bands called the “Hayyasa” or "Kamara". The craftsmanship of these components descend from the weaving and metalwork skills of various villages in the Hakkari region. Some suggest that the abundance of silver signaled the wealth of their families. Some accounts even suggest that women deliberately adorned themselves with numerous silver accessories to attract attention, as the jingling noise created by these adornments while walking was believed to captivate men's interest. Women and men also wore “Charwkhe” (the walkers), a type of shoe wrapped around the foot made of leather/wool. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-23-at-23.21.48.png) A portrait of an Assyrian family from Jilu, Hakkari in 1910\. ### The threats against the traditional dresses Unfortunately, as most Assyrians now live in the diaspora, the threat of assimilation shows us that many of our traditions and defining cultural traditions aren’t being passed down. The same holds true for knowledge of making Khomala. It's the older generations who make most Khomala in the diaspora and Assyria, where it’s also considerably expensive to obtain. Documentation on the clothing and its patterns is also sparse, adding to the many difficulties Assyrians have in preserving their culture. Khomala is also under threat by Kurdification; this was highlighted in 2024, when a museum in Zakho branded Khomala as Kurdish clothing, to the dismay of many Assyrians worldwide. Such incidents highlight the challenges that Assyrians currently face in preserving their culture. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/data-src-image-9669a60b-8bb3-4aba-a46b-c8dabde25cac-1.png) A museum in Zakho branded Assyrian Khomala costumes as Kurdish clothing in 2024\. It is on Assyrians worldwide, therefore, to preserve their clothing traditions by actively wearing and buying it. If traditions are to survive, they must be taught and passed down. Academic research must also be conducted on a greater scale to document our clothing, its patterns, variants, and diversity. Thankfully, attempts by the diaspora to document the history and making of Khomala show exciting and very promising steps to preserving it’s traditional roots for future generations to come, and hopefully, greater steps will follow suit. --- *The author would like to thank Ramcina Gabriel for making this article possible.* ### UFC Star Beneil returns for a crucial clash in Madison Square Garden URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ufc-star-beneil-returns-for-a-crucial-clash-in-madison-square-garden/ Last updated: 2025-10-24T05:52:30.000Z Assyrian-American lightweight contender Beneil Dariush is set to face Frenchman Benoît Saint-Denis at UFC 322 on November 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This pivotal matchup marks Dariush's return to the octagon following his impressive decision win over Brazilian former title contender Renato Moicano at *UFC 317*. The fight is a crucial step in what could be Dariush’s final run toward a UFC lightweight title shot, a pursuit that has defined much of his decade-long career at the sport’s highest level. A win for Dariush would reaffirm his status among the world’s elite and keep his championship ambitions alive. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/536270182_1169415175232332_4543441422274403987_n.jpg) Beneil at the Ashur Banipal library in Chicago, August 2025\. Photo courtesy of the Assyrian Cultural Foundation. ### From Urmia to the World Stage Beneil Khobier Dariush was born in Geotapeh, an Assyrian village near Urmia in northwestern Iran. At the age of nine, his family emigrated to the United States, settling in California. Growing up in a new country, Dariush found discipline and identity through martial arts. He excelled rapidly in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, earning his black belt in under five years under the guidance of renowned instructors Bruno Paulista and Romulo Barral–a remarkable achievement that hinted at his future success. He made his UFC debut in 2014, and over the next decade became one of the sport’s most respected competitors, known not just for his powerful grappling and relentless pace, but also for his humility, professionalism, and open pride in his Assyrian heritage and Christian faith. Over the years, Dariush climbed the ranks of the UFC’s most competitive division, defeating top contenders such as Tony Ferguson, Carlos Diego Ferreira, and Drew Dober. In 2023, he achieved a career-high ranking of number three in the world, putting him within reach of a title shot before suffering setbacks against Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. His victory over Moicano earlier this year proved that even after more than a decade at the elite level, the 36-year-old veteran remains a force in the UFC’s lightweight division, and one of the most skilled grapplers the sport has ever seen. ### **Faith, Family, and the Assyrian Spirit** Beyond his achievements inside the cage, Dariush has become a symbol of resilience and pride for Assyrians around the world. He has used his platform to support Assyrian humanitarian organizations, including the Shlama Foundation and the Assyrian Aid Society, hosting seminars and fundraisers to help Assyrians in Assyria and across the diaspora. He has spoken openly about the importance of faith, family, and identity, reminding young Assyrians that discipline and perseverance can take them anywhere, from a small village in Urmia to the global stage of the UFC. To many Assyrians, Dariush’s journey represents more than sporting success; it is a living example of what it means to carry the Assyrian name with integrity and pride on the world stage. ### Political leader outlines challenges facing Assyrians in Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/political-leader-outlines-challenges-facing-assyrians-in-iraq/ Last updated: 2025-10-23T11:46:10.000Z **During his recent** visit to Australia, Ninab Toma, a member of the political bureau of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), [spoke with SBS Assyrian](https://www.sbs.com.au/language/assyrian/en/podcast-episode/the-challenges-the-assyrian-democratic-movement-confront/ifsnbehwr?ref=assyriapost.com) about the challenges confronting the Assyrian nation and the ADM, particularly in managing its affairs in northern Iraq. Toma explained that the current circumstances in Iraq, rooted in instability that dates back to the Saddam regime, continue to prevent the country from achieving true peace and stability. This persistent unrest, he said, has caused widespread disillusionment among Assyrians, driving many to seek a better life abroad. [The challenges the Assyrian Democratic Movement ConfrontDuring his recent visit to Australia, Ninab Toma, a member of the political bureau of the Assyrian Democratic Movement, spoke with SBS Assyrian about the challenges confronting the Assyrian nation and the ADM, particularly in managing its affairs in northern Iraq and within the Kurdistan Region.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/app-icon_192x192-3454ad1.png)SBS Language![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/90)](https://www.sbs.com.au/language/assyrian/en/podcast-episode/the-challenges-the-assyrian-democratic-movement-confront/ifsnbehwr?ref=assyriapost.com) He also noted that Iraq’s political landscape remains heavily influenced by external powers seeking to shape its direction for their own benefit. This interference, combined with internal division among Assyrians, has weakened the Assyrians ability to work collectively for their cause and to participate effectively in the political process, he explained. ### "We remain steadfast" Toma also addressed internal challenges within ADM, when asked about allegations that former secretary-general, Yonadam Kanna, was witholding funds belonging to the Movement, thereby limiting its ability to operate and expand. “The new committee had hoped that former members and longtime supporters would assist in rebuilding and strengthening the organization,” he said. “Unfortunately, this has not always been the case.” Despite these obstacles, Toma reaffirmed that the ADM remains steadfast. The recent reunification with Abnaa Al-Nahrain (a group that had split from the ADM) after more than a decade of division, stands as “a powerful example of what can be achieved through perseverance and genuine commitment to unity”, he said. ### "We will not be intimidated" Addressing the Kha b’Nisan (Assyrian New Year) stabbing incident, where a Kurd attacked and injured three Assyrians during the procession, Toma described it as “a tragic event that could have escalated into something far worse.” He emphasized that such moments must not silence the Assyrian voice. “On the contrary,” he said, “they must strengthen our resolve to raise our national pride and send a clear message to those who wish to divide us: we will not be intimidated.” Toma further stressed that the Assyrian issue is not with the Kurdish or Arab people themselves, but with those Arab and Kurdish representatives who fail to respect Assyrian rights and decisions. “It is essential that our perspective is communicated directly and clearly – in Kurdish and Arabic – so that ordinary people understand our position without distortion or manipulation by political figures,” he said. Throughout the discussion, Toma’s message remained consistent: the survival of the Assyrian nation depends on unity, love for one another, and a renewed sense of purpose. “If we could channel even a fraction of the energy we spend fighting each other toward advancing our national interests,” he said, “we would achieve so much more.” ### Patriarch's visit puts focus on Assyrian Christian heritage in China URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/patriarchs-visit-puts-focus-on-assyrian-christian-heritage-in-china/ Last updated: 2025-10-22T19:35:08.000Z **Mar Awa III**, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, made a historic visit to Hong Kong, China on October 16–18 at the invitation of the Anglican Province of Hong Kong. The visit was made in connection with the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Xi’an stele and the inauguration of the new Hong Kong Institute of Jingjiao Studies. This marked the third visit of Mar Awa to China - now as patriarch. The Xi’an Stele is an eighth-century monument inscribed in Chinese and Assyrian that records the arrival of Assyrian monks of the Church of the East in Tang-dynasty China. The stele, carved in 781 CE, recounts how Assyrian-speaking monks of the Church of the East–known in Chinese as *Jingjiao*, “the Luminous Teaching”–journeyed from Assyria along the Silk Road to the Tang imperial court in 635\. Their work represents one of the earliest documented encounters between Assyrian Christianity and Chinese civilization. The events included lectures at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where Mar Awa III delivered a keynote address. Organizers also announced the inauguration of a Hong Kong Institute of Jingjiao Studies. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/565709147_24745618635121764_2809447691895065281_n-1.jpg) An inscription announcing the Hong Kong Institute of Jingjiao Studies The launch of the Hong Kong institute coincides with renewed academic interest in this part of Chinese history, illustrated by Glen L. Thompson’s recent book *Jingjiao: The Earliest Christian Church in China* (Eerdmans, 2024). Thompson, professor emeritus at Asia Lutheran Seminary in Hong Kong, traces how Assyrian missionaries of the Church of the East brought Christianity to China centuries before Western colonial contact, how it was accepted and later suppressed under the subsequent dynasties, and how modern discoveries of *Jingjiao* texts continue to reshape understandings of China’s religious past. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/565715498_24745618578455103_4874595544406959894_n-2-1.jpg) Patriarch Mar Awa III and a bishop with a depiction of the Xi’an Stele. Centuries after the Xi’an Stele’s rediscovery, the “Luminous Faith” is again finding a voice in East Asia–not as a relic, but as a reminder that the story of Christianity in China began not in the West, but with the Assyrians who carried their words, their language, and their light across the Silk Road. --- *Photos: courtesy of the Assyrian Church of the East* ### In a surprise move, Trump picks Assyrian-American as special envoy to Iraq URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/in-a-surprise-move-trump-picks-assyrian-american-as-special-envoy-to-iraq/ Last updated: 2025-10-24T09:00:34.000Z President Donald Trump has named Assyrian-American entrepreneur, Mark Savaya, who helped boost Middle Eastern turnout for his campaign, as the new special envoy to the Republic of Iraq. The announcement of the Michigan based entrepreneur was made by Trump on his Truth Social page yesterday, 19 October. Savaya was born in 1985 in Iraq and is based in Michigan. He is an Assyrian from the Chaldean Catholic Church whose family hails from Tel Keif, a historic town in the Nineveh Plain, a region in Northern Iraq's Assyrian triangle. He was around 16 years old when he migrated to the US together with his family. He is known as the owner of Leaf and Bud, a Detroit chain of medical and recreational marijuana stores. Savaya has been a long time supporter of Trump and his MAGA movement. His appointment is seen as a way for Trump to thank him for his support, especially in helping win votes in the last election in the state of Michigan, which is home to a large Assyrian community from the Chaldean Church. ### A connection with developments in the Nineveh Plain? News of a decision by the head of the Popular Mobilization Force in Iraq to reinstate the NPU force in the Nineve Plain came on the same day as Trump announced Savaya as his special envoy to Iraq. The timing has left some to wonder whether the two announcements are linked. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-20-at-21.27.58.png) Mark Savaya and Elisabeth Tsurkov after her release from captivity in Iraq. Comments by Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Russian-Israeli researcher who was kidnapped in Baghdad in March 2023 has added to the speculations. Tsurkov was held hostage by the group Kata'ib Hezbollah for 903 days before her release in September 2025\. "Congratulations to Mark Savaya for this important appointment. Mark played an instrumental role in setting me free after 903 days in captivity by Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia serving Iran, without anything given in return. This is terrible news for anyone serving Iran's interests in Iraq and seeking to undermine Iraqi sovereignty", she wrote on X, along with photos of her and Savaya after her release. The hasty decision by the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces to reinstate the Assyrian NPU force in the Nineveh Plain Region could be understood as a preemptive tactic following the appointment of Savaya. The PMU could be seeking to improve its reputation and try to cast itself as a guardian of the largely Assyrian Christian Nineveh Plain Region by reinstating the Nineveh Plain Protection Units, a force made up exclusively by local Assyrians but ultimately under the chain of command of the PMU. ### Reports: Nineveh Plain Protection Forces re-instated URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/reports-nineveh-plain-protection-forces-re-instated/ Last updated: 2025-10-20T06:22:42.000Z **Sources on the** ground in Iraqi Assyria have stated that the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU) have been reinstated in the Nineveh Plain Region. Reports began circulating on social media late Sunday, October 19, including a short statement on the NPU’s official Facebook page. According to these early reports, the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces (al-Hashd al-Shabi), Falih al-Fayyadh, announced a decision to restore the NPU as an independent force after it had previously been forcibly merged with the 50th Brigade, a unit closely associated with Rayan al-Kildani. The NPU was formed in secret in the days following the ISIS invasion of Mosul in June 2014\. It was established by local Assyrians at the suggestion of members of the Assyrian diaspora, who also financed its early development. The force later became officially incorporated into the PMU, gaining formal recognition and funding. The NPU participated in the fight to liberate the Nineveh Plain from ISIS and subsequently served as the de facto local security force in the southern parts of the region, while Kurdish forces continued to occupy the north. In recent years, however, the force was overrun by the 50th Brigade (Kataib Babiliyoun), which established its own presence in the area. Local Assyrians, including NPU leadership, have consistently called for the removal of the 50th Brigade from the Nineveh Plain, organizing public protests against the militia, a group made up mostly of Shia Arabs. The decision, if fully implemented, would have a profound positive effect on the Nineveh Plain Region as it is still on a journey to recover from the onslaught of ISIS. ### Assyrian village selected as Best Tourism Village by UN body URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-village-selected-as-best-tourism-village-by-un-body/ Last updated: 2025-10-19T06:31:23.000Z **The Assyrian village** of Hah (Turkish imposed name: Anitli) has been selected as one of best tourism villages in a contest with over 270 applications from 65 UN Tourism Member States. The announcement was made during a ceremony held in Huzhou City, China on 17 October, 2025\. The Best Tourism Villages by the UN Tourism Initiative is a global endeavor to highlight those villages where tourism preserves cultures and traditions, celebrates diversity, provides opportunities and safeguards biodiversity. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-18-at-11.24.47.png) The mayor of Midyat, Veysi Sahin, received the award at the ceremony in Huzhou City, China in which the Chinese minister of tourism was present. In the presentation of Hah, the UN body describes the Assyrian village as a place where travelers can immerse themselves in the living spirit of Mesopotamia: *"Tucked away on the legendary plateaus of Tur Abdin, Anıtlı is Southeastern Türkiye’s best-kept secret–a breathtaking blend of ancient history, vibrant culture, and pristine natural beauty. This enchanting Assyrian village in Midyat invites travelers to immerse themselves in the living spirit of Mesopotamia. Home to the majestic Virgin Mary Church, where spirituality and history intertwine, Anıtlı offers a unique opportunity to stay within its sacred walls or in traditional Assyrian homes, sharing homemade meals and artisanal crafts. The village’s cultural pride is exemplified by Türkiye’s first Assyrian Library, opened in 2023, which preserves the community’s rich language and traditions. A pioneer in eco-tourism, Anıtlı’s Zero Waste & Eco-Village Project promotes eco-agriculture, artisanal crafts, and farm-to-table dining, supported by green facilities and expert-led training. Its culturally enriched walking trails connect heritage sites like sacred springs, monasteries, and rock carvings, fostering reflective engagement. Anıtlı embodies a harmonious balance of spiritual heritage, ecological responsibility, and community-driven tourism, offering an authentic journey into a timeless world."* UN Tourism is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. In total 52 villages from all regions - Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East - received the Best Tourism Villages recognition in this year's edition. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Hah.png) ### A uniquely beautiful village Hah is an ancient Assyrian village located in the Tur Abdin Region, today part of southeastern Turkey. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited Assyrian villages in the area and has been a spiritual and cultural center for centuries. The village is best known for its historic monastery, Mor Sobo Monastery, which dates back to the 6th century and remains a key religious site for the Assyrians. Hah sits on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding plains, with traditional stone houses and narrow pathways that reflect its ancient character. Although its population has declined due to migration, it is still inhabited by around 60 Assyrian families today, and visited by Assyrians from the diaspora, especially during religious feasts and pilgrimages. Among its landmarks is the Virgin Mary Church, one of the oldest churches in Christian history. Assyrian tablets dating back to the 9th century BC are believed to mention the city of Hah which had become part of Assyrian territory already in ancient times. It is believed that the people of Hah accepted Christianity very early on and was the seat of a Bishop already in the 4th century. The bishop at Hah presided over all the Tur Abdin until the region was split and the Monastery of Mor Gabriel also gained a Bishop. Earlier this year, the village was recognized as one of the Tur Abdin Region’s three most beautiful villages by a Turkish news outlet. ### 19 candidates vie for five Assyrian quota seats in Iraq's upcoming elections URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/19-candidates-vie-for-five-assyrian-quota-seats-in-iraqs-upcoming-elections/ Last updated: 2025-10-18T20:46:51.000Z **Iraq will hold** parliamentary elections on 11 November 2025, in which five seats are reserved for the country’s Assyrians. The five quota seats, officially designated for "Christians", are distributed across Baghdad, Kirkuk, Erbil, Duhok, and Nineveh provinces. With the election weeks away, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has released a list of 19 candidates contesting the five quota seats across the five governorates. The majority of the candidates are independents, while five are on the Babylon electoral list, including Aswan Al-Kildani, the brother of Rayan Al-Kildani, a controversial figure who is the head of a militia within the Popular Mobilization Forces, a Shia force aligned with Iran. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-17-at-20.59.31.png) The 19 candidates vying for the five Assyrian quota seats. Photo courtesy of ANB Sat. ### A political loophole While the “Christian quota” was initially intended to ensure representation for the indigenous population, the system has become a political loophole exploited by larger non-Assyrian parties. Under current rules, any voter – Arab, Kurdish, or otherwise – can vote for the quota candidates, even though only Assyrian candidates may run. This has allowed powerful non-Assyrian blocs to mobilize their voters to decide who represents the Assyrian people in parliament. In the 2021 election, the Babylon Movement, led by Rayan al-Kildani, won four of the five quota seats – despite widespread accusations that the majority of its votes came from Shiite Muslim voters, not Assyrians. This outcome effectively disenfranchised Assyrians. It was a tactic that the Iranian-aligned actor had learnt from Kurdish political parties who used it previously in the same manner. In May 2025, Assyrian political movements including the Athra Alliance - composing several Assyrian political parties such as the Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa) called on Baghdad to reform the system and prevent external interference. So far, however, the Iraqi parliament has shown little interest in addressing their demands. The Assyrian political parties, including the Assyrian Democratic Movement, have said they are officially boycotting the elections until the election law is amended so that only Assyrians can vote for candidates running for the quota seats. ### U.S. support for Kurds marginalizes Assyrians, activist leader says URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/u-s-support-for-kurds-marginalizes-assyrians-political-leader-says/ Last updated: 2025-10-18T20:47:02.000Z **Enlil Odisho, an** Assyrian political figure based in Chicago, argued in a recent [op-ed published in the *Middle East Forum*](https://www.meforum.org/mef-observer/how-u-s-policy-enables-assyrian-erasure?ref=assyriapost.com) that U.S. support for the Kurdish administration in Northern Iraq has had a detrimental impact on the indigenous Assyrians of the region. "Washington has empowered an ethno-nationalist project that marginalizes the indigenous people and replicates the principle of oppression the U.S. claims to oppose," he writes, referring to the United States’ political, economic, and military support for the KRG. In the article, Odisho details a series of Kurdish abuses against Assyrians, including land seizures, describing them as a "slow-motion erasure that has unfolded with the tacit approval - and often material support - of the United States." He makes the claim that the KRG markets itself as a refuge for persecuted minorities by showcasing Assyrians, Yazidis, and others to project an image of tolerance while, he writes, "the people paraded as evidence of Kurdish benevolence are, in reality, denied rights to their property, excluded from governance, and reduced to token minorities in their own homeland." Odisho further contends that the KRG increasingly co-opts individuals from the Assyrian community through symbolic appointments, ceremonial roles, or handpicked spokespeople in order to present a false image of inclusion. [Assyrian Party accuses Kurdish leader of neglect and injustice in open letterIn an open letter to Kurdish leader Masrour Barzani, the head of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), Yacoob Gorgis, raised concerns over the occupation of Assyrian lands and the discrimination faced by Assyrians in northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-15.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-03-at-16.17.43-3.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/a/) ### Demanding a change in U.S. policy "Instead of enabling Kurdish domination," Odisho suggests: "U.S. policy should support the establishment of an autonomous Assyrian region in the Assyrian Triangle – including the Nerwa-Rekan region – governed by its own people, protected by its own security forces, and integrated into Iraq’s federal system under Article 119 of the Iraqi constitution." Enlil Odisho is a leading figure in the United for the Assyria Activist Network. The network organized a series of demonstrations in Chicago in 2023 and 2024 and is affiliated with the Assyria Patriotic Movement, which describes itself as an organization of activists working across different countries in the Assyrian diaspora. ### Assyrian reliefs coming to Los Angeles Museum URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-r/ Last updated: 2025-10-18T20:47:12.000Z **The Los Angeles** County Museum of Art (LACMA) is preparing to unveil three monumental Assyrian reliefs as part of its new David Geffen Galleries, scheduled to open publicly in 2026\. The reliefs – among the first to be installed – date from the first half of the first millennium BCE and depict human-headed winged bulls and a recumbent lioness, evoking the grandeur of ancient Assyria. Originally discovered at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) in northern Iraq's Assyrian region, the reliefs were removed in the mid-19th century by excavators from the site. Among them, some panels were transported through a long and arduous route – by raft down the Tigris to Basra, then by steamship to India, onward around Africa to London, and eventually acquired by Anna Bing Arnold for LACMA. Because of their massive size and weight (some weighing over two tons), the reliefs required specialized packaging, forklifts, and gantry systems during installation. Museum staff used full-scale photographic mockups to determine the correct positioning before lifting each panel into place, the LACMA writes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/66_4_4_0.jpg) Eagle-Headed Supernatural Being, Neo-Assyrian Period (9th century B.C.), Assyrian Region of Northern Iraq, Nimrud, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Anna Bing Arnold, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA The reliefs embody the artistic and imperial reach of the Assyrian Empire – when the realm extended from the eastern Mediterranean into western Iran, with its core in today’s northern Iraq. The Nimrud slabs were carved into place along palace walls, originally painted in striking colors: black, white, red, and blue. Once displayed, these sculptures will offer Los Angeles visitors a tangible connection to Assyria’s ancient civilization – its power, artistic sophistication, and the legacy of its kings and mythology. ### New K–12 school to serve Sydney’s growing Assyrian community URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/new-k-12-school-to-serve-sydneys-growing-assyrian-community/ Last updated: 2025-12-28T00:06:31.000Z A new K–12 Assyrian school will soon open to serve the growing community in western Sydney, becoming the third Assyrian-operated school in Australia. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Analyst predicts Assyrian population of Tur Abdin Region could quadruple URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/analyst-predicts-assyrian-population-of-tur-abdin-region-could-quadruple/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T07:30:17.000Z **Ilhan Aydin, a** Sweden-based lawyer and expert on the Tur Abdin Region, predicts that the Assyrian population there has the potential to more than quadruple in the coming years. "We shouldn't be surprised if the Assyrian population of the region increases to 25–30 thousand individuals in the not too distant future," he said in a recent [interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmTUCL1lEzU&ref=assyriapost.com) with the Sweden-based news channel Assyria TV. Aydin is perhaps more qualified than anyone else to forecast the region’s development. He has worked on multiple projects aimed at reviving the Assyrian connection to Tur Abdin and is highly involved in many of the issues affecting the region. His own family hails from the village of Hah and is one of many forced to flee after his father was killed by an unknown assailant in the 1980s, a dark decade during which more than 50 Assyrians were murdered, fueling the community’s mass exodus. ### Semi-permanent residents - a key group Experts estimate the current Assyrian population of Tur Abdin to be between 5,000 and 6,000 permanent residents. However, that figure excludes the growing number of semi-permanent Assyrian residents – people who spend part of the year in their renovated or newly built homes in the region. If they are included, the Assyrian population could already be closer to 7,000 - 8,000\. Another group are the holiday residents who spend their summers in Tur Abdin. The ebb and flow of these demographic groups is clearly visible in villages like Ain Wardo. With the semi-resident group included, Assyrians now make up about half of the village, with the other half being Kurds who moved in recently. Things change however in the summer months as Assyrian numbers soar to 70–80 percent of the village when the holiday makers arrive, according to local sources. From Aydins perspective, more among the semi-residents will eventually take the step to become permanent residents: "I think that the current trend we are seeing with semi-residents and people opting to spend long periods of the summer there will evolve into more and more returnees who become permanent residents," he predicts. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/GxWCIU8WYAE5Skr-1.jpeg) Assyria hotel, one of the latest investments in the region by diaspora Assyrians. ### Changing domestic diaspora patterns The positive demographic trend is not only driven by the diaspora outside of Turkey. Local dynamics are also shifting. Whereas in past decades many young Assyrians had to move to major cities like Istanbul to find work, more of them are now able to make a living in Tur Abdin. Increasingly, they are choosing to stay, marry, and raise families in the region. Improved security and infrastructure, including paved roads, internet access, reliable water supply, and a growing local economy supported by tourism and investments, has opened new employment opportunities. In recent years, dozens, if not over a hundred, jobs have been created by Assyrian entrepreneurs launching new ventures. For instance, there are now 14 Assyrian-owned pizzeria restaurants across the region. This momentum could even entice some of the around 15,000 Assyrians who left for cities like Istanbul and Ankara to return home. Three key trends underpin the Assyrian demographic revival: diaspora Assyrians returning fully or partially, local youth choosing and being able to remain, and Assyrians within Turkey deciding to move back to their home region. "With a population of 25–30 thousand, Assyrians would reach a critical threshold and be able to hold on to their land, become a visible and influential demographic group in local affairs and elections, and assert themselves much more than they can now," Ilhan Aydin explained in the interview. ### Assyrian wedding traditions - and how I ended up documenting them URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-wedding-traditions-and-how-i-ended-up-documenting-them/ Last updated: 2025-10-28T20:38:21.000Z *In this article, Andrew Rassam takes us through the intricacies of Assyrian wedding traditions with the help of Ramcina Gabriel, a content creator – beginning with the backstory of how a young biology student from Detroit, who had just found out he's Assyrian, teamed up with a Swede who* always *knew she's Assyrian, to document some of the most beautiful Assyrian wedding traditions.* --- > "As it turns out, there weren’t any sources. She got all the information from our community elders" **One of the** first projects I had as part of my non-profit, *Suraye Educational Collective*, was a Google Document that outlined various parts of Assyrian culture that were rather unknown. This project was dubbed the “Cultural Document”. Having just learned I was Assyrian a few months prior (a story of its own), I was rushing with ideas on how I could play my part to preserve our culture. The idea for the Cultural Document came completely on a whim, and I started it just before midnight on January 7th of 2024\. I remember being in my Biology research lab, waiting for something to finish for an experiment, and while I was waiting, I would jot down notes about festivals and cultural symbols (!) I even got three of my friends to help me with the document and add information on it regarding a number of different topics. It was a very prominent mark in my early days of being involved in the Assyrian community. Fast forward a year later, and I decided to retire the Cultural Document for good. From late March 2024 up to the present day, it had rarely seen updates or changes in content. In fact, most of the information on it was copied straight from Wikipedia, so barely any of it was unique at all. And retrospectively, I’m pretty sure nobody really knew of its existence either. However, I wanted to make sure that before I deleted the document there wasn’t any key information that I would lose. One of these sections caught my eye; the wedding traditions. One of the three friends I mentioned earlier who helped me is Ramcina Gabriel. Ramcina is a fellow Assyrian activist and social media content creator originally from Al-Hasakah, and traces her ancestry to Hakkari from before the Assyrian genocide. Her family survived the Simele massacre and was one of many who fled to the French mandate of Syria. Currently, Ramcina lives in Sweden where she runs the Instagram page *Assyrian Explained*, and one of her first videos discussed just some of the wedding traditions in our nation. While Ramcina wrote the info about the Khomala dress, I copied down parts of the information she discussed in her videos onto my document. I asked Ramcina if she had any sources online that she used to help with her videos. As it turns out, there weren’t any sources. She got all the information from our community elders, collected it into a script, and recorded the video. She even told me that the comments section had unique information that discussed the traditions too! As the majority of Assyrians now live in diaspora, the threat of assimilation means that these traditions and more could very well be lost in many families or even die out altogether. And so, I’ve decided to recount these traditions in article form; please read through as I detail the unique Assyrian wedding traditions, as partly explained by Ramcina Gabriel. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-06-at-21.59.18.png) ### Silken crowns - a symbol of the unity of body and soul In the past, Assyrian couples would wear braided crowns, though nowadays, they have been made into armlets for aesthetics. The groom and the bride will typically wear silken armlets in the colors red and white, symbolizing the body and soul coming together in the new marriage. Traditionally, crowns would also have the color black to represent death, which can be interpreted as the expression “Til death do us part.” Amongst Assyrians of the Chaldean Catholic church from Iraq, the armband may be replaced with a white bow to signify the wedding as a blessed sacrament. However, this custom isn’t present among Assyrians from the Syriac Orthodox Church. Usually, the armlets are given to a newly baptized child by the priest who performs the baptism and are then kept by the family until his/her marriage, and their name in Assyrian Aramaic is "kleele". ### Ceremonial 'stealing' from the bride's house One tradition involves stealing from the bride’s house; there is no reason in particular why this is done, but many believe it’s a symbolic way of showing dominance over the bride’s family and her house. Comments under Ramcina’s video, however, say otherwise. Supposedly, there are two reasons as to why an item is stolen from the bride’s house. Firstly, the stealing helps distract the bride’s family from the fact their daughter has left the house by redirecting their attention to the stolen item. In effect, this symbolizes that the groom’s family is taking the bride from her family’s house. And secondly, the stolen item will then be gifted back to the bride so that it reminds her of her family in the new home. Another comment suggests that plates would be stolen and broken directly in front of the bride and groom. This is an ancient Assyrian tradition, rooted in the belief that Ishtar (the goddess of love and fertility) would provide the bride and groom a long, healthy marriage with children. ### Showering of the groom (ܚܝܵܦܬܵܐ ܕܚܸܬܢܵܐ) The showering of the groom, also known as “Khypta d’Khetna” (ܚܝܵܦܬܵܐ ܕܚܸܬܢܵܐ), is essentially the Assyrian version of a bachelor’s party. In this tradition, the groom is prepared for his new life as a wedded man, with singing, dancing, washing him with water and dressing him in new clothes. The tradition is usually done by the groomsmen, who in the past was also the groom’s godfather. Back in the day, every family had a kindred family from which they would have their godfathers and best man; in those days there was no such thing as having multiple groomsmen or bridesmaids. The bride would bring her godmother, the groom would bring his godfather where they would prepare each for the upcoming wedding. This is because the godparents were seen as older and more experienced, and would be able to teach the to-be couple on what to do on the night of the wedding. The groom would also be expected to hold a child as a symbol of fertility. Additional information about the tradition from Wikipedia states that at the same time, a group of female singers will sing a song called “Lilyana”. This tradition was only performed by Assyrians in Hakkari, yet even so, "Lilyana" was not performed by all Assyrians in Hakkari. It was predominantly seen in Assyrians from Sapna to Barwar, and to the Tyari and Tkhuma tribes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-06-at-22.03.45.png) A wedding in the Assyrian Region of northern Iraq. ### Platat kalu (ܦܲܠܲܛܬܵܐ ܕܟܲܠܘܼ) and Dweqtat tarr'a (ܕܒ̣ܵܩܬܵܐ ܕܬܲܪܥܵܐ) “Platat kalu” (ܦܲܠܲܛܬܵܐ ܕܟܲܠܘܼ) is a tradition that happens right before the bride leaves her house, when the groom’s family comes to take her. The groom’s family would bring with them a basket full of walnuts, raisins, and “Kahde” (ܟܵܕܹ̈ܐ), traditional Assyrian cookies, to show their good intentions. Right before the bride leaves her house, her brother or cousin blocks the door and demands a dowry from the groom’s family. Once the brother/cousin is satisfied, they will stop blocking the door and allow the bride to leave. This tradition is known as “Dweqtat Tarr'a” (ܕܒ̣ܵܩܬܵܐ ܕܬܲܪܥܵܐ), and although it’s more symbolic nowadays, it still adds a nice and playful touch to the wedding festivities. ### The bride enters her new home (ܥܒ̣ܵܪܬܵܐ ܕܟܲܠܘܿ ܠܒܲܝܬܵܗ ܚܲܕ̄ܬܵܐ) Back in the days, before the bride steps into her new house, she would draw a cross on the door to bless it. Afterwards, she would break a jar full of candy at the entrance. This tradition traces back to the Assyrian empire, and is meant to ward off any evil and bring sweetness and blessing to the couple’s new life. ### Gablana (ܓܒܠܵܢܵܐ) This tradition was not actually in Ramcina’s videos. In fact, I can’t recall where I heard about Gablana, but at some point I inquired into the wedding traditions that she discussed and learned about it. Gablana is a tradition that occurs during the wedding party, when a tree branch decorated with fruits and sugar would be auctioned to the guests for their own possession. The money would then go to the newly-wed couple as a gift to help start their new life together. This tradition is seen as a resemblance of a start to this new life, with the fruits of their love representing offspring and the sugar representing sweet memories that they’ll make together. Gablana potentially also draws a parallel to the Tree of Life symbol that Assyrians have in their culture. The tradition stems from the Hakkari region, but could also be practiced in other parts of the Assyrian homeland nearby. Unfortunately, the tradition is not really practiced in the present day, with only a few keeping the tradition. ### Mashmeta(ܡܲܫܡܲܥܬܵܐ) **\- The** engagement ritual As part of writing this article, I wanted to seek out other wedding traditions that Ramcina didn’t discuss in her videos. One of the traditions I found was the “Mashmeta” (ܡܲܫܡܲܥܬܵܐ), which means “the hearing” or “the proposal”. Mashmeta is an engagement ritual where the groom’s family formally asks the bride's family for her hand in marriage. The family of the groom will visit the family of the bride without the groom present, while the bride is in her room waiting to hear the outcome. If the woman’s family accepts, they will begin to pick a day for the engagement party, but not before telling the bride the outcome of the negotiations. This tradition is also practiced by Chaldean Catholics from across the Assyrian homeland. Those from Iraq practice the tradition under the name “Tenatha” (ܬܲܢܲܝܬܵܐ), which translates to “The Word”. During this version, a traditional saying can be offered, such as…”We would like to plant a flower from your garden into ours.” Sometimes, the bride’s mother will serve tea and the groom’s family will refuse until they “give away” her daughter, the bride. When the bride’s family accepts, the groom’s family will give her jewelry, and the families begin to get acquainted. Meanwhile, Chaldo-Assyrians from Turkey call the tradition “Ptakha Urxa” (ܦܬܵܚܵܐ ܐܘܼܪܚܵܐ). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-08-at-22.26.12.png) ### Dancing and zaffa - entering the wedding dancing Interestingly, another tradition of Assyrian weddings (one which I’ve even seen myself) is for families of the bride and groom to leave their house and dance in the streets, with music from the zurna and davula playing alongside them. At the beginning of a wedding party, the bride and groom are introduced during what is called a zaffa (ܙܲܦ݂ܵܐ). During the zaffa, everyone in the bridal party dances around the bride and groom as they’re escorted into the reception hall or ceremony. The bride and groom also perform a dance of their own, accompanied by music. It should be noted that "zaffa" is a Lebanese/Syrian Arabic word, whereas the native word to describe the tradition in Assyrian Aramaic is “mawarta” (ܡܲܥܒ̣ܲܪܬܵܐ). ### Picking a bride on the screen - the Assyrian matchmaking app before apps were a thing In traditional Assyrian marriages, the most common ways to have a spouse are either to fall in love with the person or to have an arranged marriage. One tradition that I’ve seen poked fun of as of lately is how families would play a VHS tape on a TV and the family's son-to-be-wed would pick the girl of their choosing to become their wife. Family discussions would begin soon after, and if successful, the new couple is wed! I of course couldn’t include everything about Assyrian weddings in this article; our traditions are incredibly diverse and vary from village to village, region to region. There’s probably dozens of other traditions that I neglected simply because there’s no info about them! But I certainly hope that this article intrigued many who were interested in wanting to know more about the various Assyrian wedding traditions. By: Andrew Rassam *The author would like to thank Ramcina Gabriel for making this article possible since most of the information comes directly from her.* --- If you’d like to see Ramcina’s videos, please visit [this](https://www.instagram.com/p/C3NN%5F01MNzu/?ref=assyriapost.com) and [this](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8XWR0%5Fsg9P/?ref=assyriapost.com) link on Instagram, or watch on the [Assyrian Explained Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@AssyrianExplained/videos?ref=assyriapost.com) ### Australia’s repatriation of ISIS female members sparks Assyrian outcry URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/isis-female-members-return-to-australia-sparks-assyrian-outcry/ Last updated: 2026-01-16T09:18:45.000Z **Six women who** had joined ISIS recently escaped detention camps with their children in north-eastern Syria and travelled to Lebanon, according to Australia's *ABC News*. After being detained for lacking valid documents, they were issued Australian passports following DNA and security checks before being flown back to Australia. Government officials have insisted this was not part of a formal repatriation program. “The Australian government is not providing assistance and is not repatriating individuals in Syrian internally displaced persons camps,” a spokesperson said to Australian journalists, adding that national security agencies are prepared to manage the situation. ### “A betrayal of victims” Assyrian organisations say the decision to allow ISIS-affiliated individuals back into Australia disregards the trauma of communities who suffered under ISIS terror. The Young Assyrians (TYA), a Sydney-based advocacy group, had already [warned](https://www.theyoungassyrians.org/news/media-release-concerns-mount-over-reports-of-isis-bride-repatriation?ref=assyriapost.com) in September that returning ISIS female members pose significant risks to national security while re-traumatising minorities who were the primary victims of the terrorist group. > ISIS women aided their men to perpetrate atrocities against Assyrians TYA President Dennis Suro criticised the lack of transparency in the process when speaking to *The Herald*: "There's no consultation with the community before they even bring them here," he said. "Last time, they brought them back into our communities, into an area with a high population of Assyrians. Obviously there's members of our community who were victims of ISIS and ISIS women aided their men to perpetrate atrocities against Assyrians." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Photo-australia--1.jpg) Assyrians during a 2022 demonstration in central Sydney, Australia. Photo: Assyrian Students' Association of Australia Australia has also welcomed Yazidi refugees, many of whom were direct victims of the Yazidi Genocide carried out by ISIS. An *ABC News* report noted the case of a Yazidi girl forced into sexual slavery at age 11, sold seven times before she escaped to Australia. Today, an estimated 2,600 Yazidi women and girls remain missing in captivity. The crimes committed by ISIS against Assyrians, Yazidis, and other minorities have been formally recognised as genocide by the United States, the United Nations, the British Parliament, and the European Parliament, although none of these actors has offered any significant help to the victims and their communities. For many survivors in Australia, the government’s decision to bring back women tied to ISIS is not only a national security concern but also a profound moral failure. ### Opposition demands answers The federal Opposition has also condemned the government’s handling of the situation. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke of gross mismanagement and secrecy. “Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke have either bungled this process or deliberately concealed it. Either way, they have invited risk into our communities without transparency, without consultation, and without the knowledge of the Australian people.” > Assyrian Christian Australians, victims of ISIS themselves, have been ignored once again Ms Ley highlighted that the government’s actions ignored the very communities most affected by ISIS atrocities. "Assyrian Christian Australians, victims of ISIS themselves, have been ignored once again. Their communities may now be forced to live alongside those who chose to support the very terrorists who inflicted such horrors upon them.” ### A wound reopened For the Assyrian community, the debate goes beyond policy. It is a raw reminder of the atrocities endured during ISIS’s campaign of violence: mass killings, forced displacement, and the destruction of churches and villages. Many Assyrian families in Australia still carry that trauma. The prospect of ISIS-linked individuals living freely in their suburbs is seen as an insult to survivors who continue to grieve lost relatives and a destroyed homeland. Community leaders insist that the government must prioritise justice and accountability. They argue that decisions affecting survivors of genocide should not be made behind closed doors, but in consultation with the communities most directly impacted. The Albanese Government maintains that returnees undergo rigorous vetting by authorities before being allowed back into the country. Officials argue that Australia cannot abandon its citizens indefinitely, and that security agencies are equipped to manage potential risks. But with more Australian women and children still in detention camps in Syria, the debate is far from settled. For the Assyrian community, the principle remains clear: justice for victims must come first – and the government must be transparent about who is being brought back, and why. ### Assyrian political party rejects exclusion of Akitu and Newroz from Syria’s list of official holidays URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-political-party-rejects-exclusion-of-akitu-and-newroz-from-syrias-list-of-official-holidays/ Last updated: 2025-10-09T05:48:24.000Z **The Assyrian Democratic** Organization (ADO), representing a majority of Assyrians in Syria, has expressed strong disapproval of the Syrian government’s decision to exclude *Akitu*, the Assyrian New Year, from the newly released list of official national holidays. In a [statement](https://www.facebook.com/ADONews/posts/pfbid02TBmnbWbJv9PUXHxHRZT98zmFcHE8Tir4dQTsHxMpTSHUyPbkrqo2ANwiN6pewefTl) issued Sunday 5 September, the ADO acknowledged the inclusion of the anniversary of the Syrian Revolution on March 18 and the “Victory Day” on December 8, as well as the government’s effort to respect the country’s religious diversity in its calendar of public holidays. However, the organization criticized the failure to include holidays that reflect Syria’s ethnic and cultural diversity, such as *Akitu* and *Newroz*. “We had hoped that the list of official holidays would also take into account Syria’s national diversity by recognizing festivals that express the country’s rich cultural heritage,” the statement read. “Both Akitu (the Assyrian New Year) and Newroz hold deep symbolic meaning for two key components of the Syrian people: the Assyrians and the Kurds.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-07-at-10.23.23.png) Syrian Kurds in traditional outfits performing Kurdish dances in celebration of Newroz on March 20, Qamishli, Gozarto Region, Syria. Photo: Shivan Ibrahim The organization described the omission of Akitu as “disappointing” and “contrary to the constitutional declaration that recognizes Syria’s ethnic and cultural diversity.” “Akitu represents a deep historical and civilizational legacy,” the ADO said. “It is an authentically Syrian festival celebrated on this land for thousands of years. Recognizing such holidays strengthens, rather than weakens, the unity of the new Syria.” The ADO urged the Syrian presidency to reconsider the national holiday calendar and to officially include *Akitu* and *Newroz* as national festivals for all Syrians, symbolizing the shared heritage and diversity of the Syrian people. “True unity,” the statement concluded, “comes from embracing the richness of Syria’s history and all its components.” ### Algerian national arrested in murder of Assyrian in Lyon URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/algerian-national-arrested-in-murder-of-assyrian-in-lyon/ Last updated: 2025-10-08T05:51:58.000Z **Law enforcement in** Italy arrested a 28-year-old Algerian national on 2 October near Bari (in the Puglia region), in the town of Andria, under a European arrest warrant issued by French authorities. [Assyrian man slain in Lyon, France in suspected islamic attackThe Assyrian man was stabbed in the throat while live streaming on TikTok in what is believed to be an Islamic attack for his criticism of Islam in his videos.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-19.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/rip-ashur-sarnaya-45-murdered-yesterday-by-an-islamist-in-v0-m1smcVXxgaMvhQG2QQiUQtfqys70NBtVfHrpWDMB-Dw.jpeg-1.webp)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-man-slain-in-lyon-france-in-suspected-islamic-attack/) According to French prosecutors cited in *Le Figaro*, the suspect was identified due to his proximity to the crime scene and is considered “suspect number one” in the investigation. He did not resist arrest and was placed in custody in the prison at Trani, awaiting further legal procedures. Italian police have stated that the suspect entered Italy via Milan on 12 September, traveled to Rome, and then relocated to the south of the country. The French investigating division, DCOS (Division de la Criminalité Organisée et Spécialisée) in Lyon, is handling the case. The Lyon public prosecutor’s office said that the suspect has been presented to the Italian judicial authorities, who will decide on his transfer to France. Meanwhile, the French national anti-terror prosecutor’s office (PNAT) has indicated that it is “monitoring” the file. ### Stabbed to death while live streaming Ashur Sarnaya, a 45-year-old Assyrian Christian, paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, had fled Iraq after the rise of ISIS in 2014 and settled in Lyon with his sister. He had become known for his livestreams on TikTok, in which he spoke about Christianity and often critiqued Islamist groups. In those videos, he had claimed that his content was sometimes blocked, and he had reportedly received threatening messages from Muslim users online. On the night of 10 September 2025, Sarnaya was performing a live broadcast when a person attacked him as he returned to his building in the 9th arrondissement of Lyon. He was stabbed in the neck while live streaming and suffered cardiac arrest. Emergency services were unable to revive him. Witnesses claimed to see a hooded figure in dark clothing fleeing the scene; video fragments from his livestream captured the violent event. Investigators quickly opened a homicide investigation and mobilised specialized units. Georges Shamoun Ishaq, head of the Assyrian association of Lyon, has described Ashur as a “very kind, deeply believing person” who never had personal conflicts. ### Relief and continued concern after arrest The arrest has ignited both relief and continued concern across Christian, Assyrian, and refugee communities. Sarnaya’s sister voiced certainty that the killing was motivated by religion, saying, “For me, it's one hundred percent religious.” Christian organisations, including Œuvre d’Orient, condemned the killing and called for a prompt, full investigation. A demonstration was organised in Paris to denounce “Christianophobia” in late September following the murder. ### Matthias Harman becomes second mayor of Assyrian background in Germany URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/matthias-harman-becomes-second-mayor-of-assyrian-background-in-germany/ Last updated: 2025-10-07T19:56:46.000Z Matthias Harman, an Assyrian, has been elected Mayor of Ahlen, a town with a population of just over 50,000 in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region. His election makes him the second mayor in Germany with Assyrian roots, following Mike Josef, who became Lord Mayor of Frankfurt am Main in March 2023. [Mike Josef: the Assyrian-German mayor of FrankfurtMike Josef, the Mayor of Germany’s financial capital Frankfurt am Main since 2023, has an Assyrian background.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-17.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/OB-Mike-Josef-im-Roemer_1000x563.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/mike-josef-the-assyrian-german-mayor-of-frankfurt/) The 45-year-old father of two has been active in local politics for over a decade. He has served on the municipal council of Ahlen since 2014, and was appointed Deputy Mayor in November 2022 as a member of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). His father was a well-respected priest in the local Syriac Orthodox Church and Matthias Harman's election win has been celebrated by the local Assyrian community. More than 450 Assyrian families live in Ahlen, with the first arriving in 1964 from the Tur Abdin Region in south-east Turkey due to persecution. Ahlen has two Syriac Orthodox parishes: Mor Gewargis and Mor Johanon. In his declaration as a candidate, Harman expressed his deep love for his hometown: "Ahlen is my home. I grew up here, I live here with my family, I have friends here. I will work with all my might to ensure that Ahlen remains a liveable, sustainable city." Harman’s family roots trace back to the town of Kfar Boran (Turkish: Dargeçit) in the Tur Abdin Region of the Assyrian homeland, now part of Turkey. The town of Kfar Boran, originally Assyrian, today has no Assyrian inhabitants and a Kurdish majority population – a result of the 1915 Assyrian genocide and the subsequent killings of Assyrians in the following decades. More than 300 thousand Assyrians are estimated to live in Germany today, making it the European country with the largest Assyrian diaspora community. ### Assyrian Democratic Organization denounces forced closure of Assyrian schools by Kurdish group URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assy/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T07:33:58.000Z **The Assyrian Democratic** Organization (ADO), which represents a majority of Assyrians in Syria, has denounced the closure of schools belonging to the indigenous population in northeastern Syria’s Gozarto Region on 29 September by forces of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). The ADO called the actions of the Kurdish group “unacceptable” and stated that the decision to impose an unrecognized curriculum or to ban the teaching of the official government curriculum will have negative consequences for tens of thousands of students in Gozarto (Al-Jazira) from all communities, according to a [statement](https://www.facebook.com/ADONews/posts/pfbid02ceLMZ3M4SKRzkYJunWZAwtsBQMJd7TXQ8WjwfB8HNmUjzjkPwRioNXCkUrcGkCCfl) by Gabriel Moshe, an ADO representative, posted on the organization’s official news page. [Kurdish militants close down Assyrian schools by force in Syria’s northeastThe Kurdish group in control of northeast Syria’s Gozarto Region has once again closed down Assyrian schools by force in an attempt to impose its own curriculum.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-18.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Assyrian-schools-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-militants-close-down-assyrian-schools-by-force-in-syrias-northeast/) The ADO urged the Kurdish group to reverse the decision and to stop politicizing education or using it as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with the Syrian government. ### "A dangerous decision that could lead to demographic changes" The Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights, a group based in Syria and Sweden that documents human rights abuses and is supported by the Swedish Anna Lindh Foundation, also confirmed the reports about the school closures. The organization condemned the move, describing it as a “dangerous decision that could lead to demographic changes.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Assyrian-Monitor.jpg) News bulletin from the official Facebook page of The Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights. In its [statement](https://www.facebook.com/assyrianmonitor/posts/pfbid026hnS9BfcbRtztdB6eYoLyhr8aeFBfFt8rPu1Ne7vbsVUhjsHqfx2LTvog3jJfVzdl), the group expressed its “severe condemnation of the continuous arbitrary measures taken,” adding: “These actions constitute a systematic violation of the right to education and the cultural rights of minority communities.” The Assyrian Monitor further emphasized the grave consequences of the Kurdish entity’s actions for thousands of students: “The insistence on replacing the licensed curricula threatens to exclude these schools from the global educational map, stripping students’ certificates of accreditation and credibility. This gravely jeopardizes the academic and professional future of thousands of children.” The group also drew attention to the psychological impact of the Kurdish entity’s actions: “These restrictions are accompanied by armed security manifestations around the schools, used to enforce compulsory closures or intimidate administrative bodies. This constitutes an infringement on the security of educational institutions and creates a terrifying learning environment that contravenes international conventions on the protection of children in conflict zones,” it said. ### Germany’s largest Assyrian community battles for recognition in education system URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/german-authorities/ Last updated: 2025-12-13T12:54:28.000Z Assyrians in Germany are voicing frustration after authorities rejected the inclusion of Syriac Orthodox religious education in schools, even as Islamic religious education has been widely implemented. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Israeli on a mission to build bridges between Assyrians and Jews - and his bold projects URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-israeli-on-a-mission-to-build-bridges-between-assyrians-and-jews-and-his-bold-projects/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T14:57:27.000Z An Israeli with family roots from Iraq's Assyrian region says he wants to connect Jews and Assyrians. Observers, however, raise questions about his endeavor. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Pilgrimage to mountain villages signifies strengthened ties with homeland URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/pilgrimage-to-abandoned-villages-signifies-strengthened-ties-with-homeland/ Last updated: 2025-10-03T12:07:42.000Z A group of more than one hundred Assyrians from France embarked on a journey across southeastern Türkiye's mountainous Sirnak and adjacent regions, reconnecting with their ancestral villages and historic landmarks. The pilgrimage, which began in late September, is scheduled to continue until Thursday, October 2, with visits also to monasteries, churches, and villages in the nearby Turabdin Region. The Sirnak province and its surroundings have been off limits for decades due to the terror inflicted on the area by the Kurdish PKK. A handful of Assyrians have been able to return to their villages and an increasing number have been able to visit in recent years as the fighting has subsided. The group, led by archbishop Anar, visited several Assyrian villages where historic churches and cemeteries remain central landmarks. The archbishop played a pivotal role in the journey, acting as a bridge between the Assyrian community in France - where he served as a priest for many years - and the local communities in the visited areas. In Gaznakh, the group joined local residents for a day that combined prayers and community celebration. The core group from France, already substantial, was joined by additional visitors and local participants, nearly doubling the number of attendees during some visits. One of the most notable events of the journey took place in the village of Ischy, where Mass was celebrated in the Church of Mar Yawsep Hazzaya for the first time in more than 40 years. The program also included a visit to the village of Baznayé, where prayers were held. In contrast, when the group reached the village of Meer, planned festivities were called off. Sobriety prevailed in memory of Hurmuz and Şimuni Diril, an Assyrian couple who disappeared on January 11, 2020\. Şimuni’s body was found on March 21 of the same year, while Hurmuz remains missing. Beyond the spiritual aspects, the journey also featured official encounters. The mayor of Beytüşşebap, Kamil Durmuş, personally welcomed the group and later hosted them for dinner, while the district governor, Mehmet Furkan Taşkıran, received them in an official visit. > “We were not only welcomed, but also felt treated almost like VIPs" Speaking about the broader context, Shmuel Beth David of [*Ninway* TV](https://www.youtube.com/@NINWAYTV?ref=assyriapost.com) who is part of the visiting group noted the contrast with earlier decades. He described how the group was escorted by Turkish military at certain points, with roads secured in advance to ensure their safety. According to him: “The group was not only welcomed, but also felt treated almost like VIPs. Assyrians no longer have the fear that once existed, they feel protected,” he said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/IMG_8A38EF185B8C-1.jpeg) The group during their visit to the Mor Gabriel monastery. Photo: Shmuel Beth David, Ninway TV > "One third of the group is openly talking about reclaiming their lands" At the same time, Shmuel pointed to a degree of hesitation within the group when it comes to actually returning to the semi-abandoned villages: “There is still skepticism about the idea of returning fully,” he explained. “Living here again with our families and children is something difficult to imagine. But discussions are happening. Some talk about coming back for the summer, rebuilding houses, especially rebuilding churches. I would say roughly one third of the group is openly talking about reclaiming their lands and restoring homes so that they can spend part of the year here. It’s a beginning”, he added. For the diaspora participants, the pilgrimage was more than a cultural visit. By praying in churches, gathering in villages, and meeting local residents, they were able to strengthen ties to their ancestral homeland. Such encounters underline the continuing presence of Assyrians in the region and contribute to a broader movement encouraging members of the diaspora to maintain, and in some cases re-establish, a presence in their historic lands. The is the latest such group visit to this area of the traditional Assyrian homeland, signifying the beginning of a similar positive development that has been ongoing in the Turabdin Region. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/IMG_71DE506E2697-1-1.jpeg) Archbishop Anar, who was instrumental in arranging the visit, here during a reception in one of the villages. Photo: Shmuel Beth David, Ninway TV ### Mosque construction halted in Assyrian village – Turkish Islamist MP demands answers URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/the-construction-of-a-mosque-in-an-assyrian-village-was-stopped-now-a-turkish-mp-from-an-islamic-party-asks-why/ Last updated: 2025-10-02T06:57:48.000Z Doğan Bekin, a Turkish MP from the New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Partisi, YRP), has submitted a written question to the Turkish vice president regarding the halted construction of a mosque in the Assyrian village of Zaz (Turkish imposed name: İzbırak), located in Turkey’s Turabdin Region. The mosque’s construction began late last year, initiated by two Kurdish individuals on land unlawfully seized from an Assyrian family that had emigrated from the area. Authorities halted the illegal project after protests from Assyrians. It is believed that the Muslim Kurds, aware that a mosque used for prayer cannot be demolished under Islamic law, were rushing to complete construction in order to create a fait accompli before objections could be raised. "There are only 2 Kurds in the village, so there is no need for a mosque, but the objective was to use religion in order to make permanent the Muslim Kurdish presence in the village. We believe that all of this has been done in the hope of deterring the trend of our people returning to their villages," an Assyrian from Zaz now living in Belgium and involved in stopping the illegal construction told the Post. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-01-at-13.31.27-1.png) The view over the village of Zaz from the roof top of the local church. In his written submission to the vice president, Deputy Bekin emphasized: *"There are three churches in Zaz, two of which are closed. However, there is no mosque for Muslims in the district. Recently, the construction of a mosque has started for our Muslim citizens living in the region. However, a delegation living in the neighborhood, especially our Assyrian citizens, most of whom come from abroad to the region at certain periods of the year, became involved and demanded that the construction of the mosque be stopped by meeting with the Provincial Governor, District Governor and Mufti, and as a result of the meetings, it was announced that the construction of the mosque was temporarily stopped."* Beyond questioning why construction was stopped, he also asked whether *"there are any obstacles to the faith and freedom of worship of the Assyrians in the region?"* Doğan Bekin is Vice-Chairman of the Yeniden Refah Partisi, which currently holds 5 seats in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The party explicitly endorses Islamic policies and rhetoric. By submitting the written questions and thereby drawing new media attention to the issue – with Turkish outlets reporting on Bekin’s inquiry – Assyrians fear that the Turkish MP is deliberately seeking to inflame anti-Assyrian and anti-Christian sentiment. "In the weeks and months leading up to the halting of the mosque’s construction, Islamists were posting hateful messages against Assyrians on Facebook. We believe that Mr. Bekin’s action will reignite this hate," said the source from Belgium. **Kurdish tactics to conquer more Assyrian lands** Kurds, being non-indigenous to the area, have relied on various tactics to seize land, including the use of religion as in the case of Zaz. In the nearby Assyrian village of Dayro d-Qubo, also spelled Deyr Kube (Turkish Karagöl), a Kurdish man began hurriedly constructing a mosque in 2018 before being stopped. In doing so, he even knocked down part of the ancient monastery wall in the village. Another tactic has been to establish memorial sites and graveyards in Assyrian areas. In 2015, Kurds affiliated with the PKK movement quickly established a memorial park, naming it "Abdullah Ocalan Park," in the Turo d’Izlo area of Turabdin, the last remaining cluster of purely Assyrian villages. Their justification was that a PKK member had been killed in the area years earlier. The park was later destroyed by the Turkish army. Violence and threats of violence are also a common tactic used. In Enhil (Turkish Yemişli), the Assyrian elder Gevriye Ego was ambushed and [killed](https://theassyrianjournal.com/egos-house-is-empty-assyrian-elder-shot-dead-in-turkey/?ref=assyriapost.com) in front of his home by two Kurdish suspects in 2023\. Ego was a key witness in a land dispute in which Kurds claimed land belonging to an Assyrian. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/10/Zaz-copy.png) Zaz is one of many Assyrian villages in the Turabdin Region where mass killings occurred during the Assyrian genocide of 1915\. The village was later emptied as Assyrians fled en masse amid the terror unleashed by the PKK’s conflict with the state beginning in the 1980s. In recent years, however, Assyrians have begun returning to Zaz. More than thirty houses have already been rebuilt in the village, with many more planned. ### Diaspora group visits ancestral village of Qeleth to discuss its revival URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/diaspora-group-visits-ancestral-village-of-qeleth-to-discuss-its-revival/ Last updated: 2025-10-01T05:54:29.000Z A group of around 300 Assyrians from the diaspora, hailing from the village of Qeleth (Turkish Dereiçi) in the Savur district of Mardin, recently visited their ancestral home to explore its revival, according to Turkish sources. The visit coincided with the Commemoration Day of the local saint, Mor Dimet, for which an event was held in the Mor Dimet Church. The visit was coordinated with local authorities, who organized a workshop to examine ways of enhancing the tourism potential of the village. One of the state organizations pursuing Qeleth’s revival is DİKA, a regional development agency operating in Turkey’s TRC3 region, which includes the provinces of Mardin, Batman, Siirt, and Şırnak, and is partly financed through EU funds. Officials from DİKA have been courting Assyrian diaspora communities in Europe to encourage investment in Assyrian areas. DİKA supports private sector representatives through an investment support office that assists groups and individuals with their business ideas. The governor of the Savur district, Enes Emircan Buyuran, emphasized during a speech to the visiting Assyrians the importance of protecting the village’s identity, culture, and traditions, stressing that citizen support is essential in the effort to make Qeleth an attractive tourism destination, according to Turkish reports. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/Qeleth-2-2.jpg) The abandoned houses of Qeleth. ### An outlier village The Assyrians originating from Qeleth are today scattered around the world, with a notable concentration in the Swedish town of Märsta, north of Stockholm, where many have distinguished themselves as successful businessmen in the hospitality sector. Qeleth was the only village in the Mhallami-majority area that remained Christian and did not convert to Islam. As a result, it became an outlier, and over time its inhabitants lost their Assyrian mother tongue, adopting instead the Arabic spoken by the local Muslims, the Mhallami. The Mhallami are a group believed to be of Assyrian origin who converted to Islam centuries ago. Qeleth was devastated by Kurdish attacks during the Hamidian Massacres in 1895, and most of its surviving inhabitants were massacred again during the Seyfo genocide of 1915\. The population rebounded to around 600 Assyrians in 1960, but then experienced a sharp decline with the onset of emigration. By 2013, only a handful of Assyrians remained in the village. This latest visit marks the second group pilgrimage by diaspora Assyrians with roots in Qeleth in pursuit of its revival. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/Turabdin-1.png) Qeleth lies north-west of the region traditionally considered as part the Turabdin Region. ### Kurdish militants close down Assyrian schools by force in Syria's northeast URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-militants-close-down-assyrian-schools-by-force-in-syrias-northeast/ Last updated: 2025-09-30T04:27:48.000Z Forces of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) raided the private Assyrian Christian schools in the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli, shutting them down by force on Monday 29 September, several Assyrian news outlets have reported. The closures included the Mar Quriakos, Al-Salam, Maysalun, Faris al-Khoury, and Al-Ittihad schools in Qamishli, as well as the Al-Amal school in Hasakah, after administrators and teachers were expelled amid a barrage of insults and abuse, according to several local sources. [Kurdish group renews attempt to impose curriculum on Assyrian schools in Syria’s Gozarto RegionThe Kurdish group in control of the Gozarto Region is seeking to once again impose a new curriculum on Assyrian schools.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-13.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-12-at-23.47.48.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-group-renews-attempt-to-impose-curriculum-on-assyrian-schools-in-syrias-gozarto-region/) The self-proclaimed Kurdish “Autonomous administration” had previously issued a decision to impose its own curricula in all schools located in areas under its control and to sever ties with the Syrian government’s Ministry of Education in Damascus — a move rejected by the Assyrian schools. Assyrians oppose the Kurdish curriculum for several reasons. It contains ideological indoctrination aligned with the group’s Marxist ideology, portraying its leader Abdullah Öcalan as a god-like figure. It also promotes historical revisionism, attempting to rewrite the history of the Assyrian region in favor of a constructed Kurdish narrative. Another concern is that no authorities recognize its self-proclaimed administration, meaning diplomas issued under its curriculum are not recognized by Damascus. The harassments and attempts at closing down the Assyrian schools by the Kurdish entity have been ongoing since 2018\. [Kurdish Self-Administration Orders Closure of Assyrian Schools in Northern SyriaThe Kurdish self-administration in northern Syria has ordered the closing of Assyrian schools in Derik (Malikiyyah), Syria. Notices were issued by the governing Democratic Union Party (PYD) on August 7, 2018 to Assyrian schools in Derik, a diverse Syrian city in the Al-Hassakah governorate, ordering the school’s closure for failing to register for a license and rejecting the administration’s new curriculum.These private schools are administered by the Syriac Orthodox Church Diocese and have been![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/pfavico-3.ico)Assyrian PolicyAssyrian Policy Institute![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6ae567_00b777e390a44c56b4db3cfc7e9e6c10~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1000,h_500,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/6ae567_00b777e390a44c56b4db3cfc7e9e6c10~mv2.png)](https://www.assyrianpolicy.org/post/kurdish-self-administration-threatens-closure-of-assyrian-schools-in-northern-syria?ref=assyriapost.com) The Gozarto Region in northeast Syria, once a historically Assyrian-majority area, has witnessed a sharp decline in its Assyrian population since the PKK offshoot took control amid the Syrian civil war. ### Activists meet to establish a parliament in exile URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/activists-meet-to-establish-an-assyrian-parliament-in-exile/ Last updated: 2025-09-29T06:07:14.000Z A group of Assyrian activists from around the world held a three-day founding conference in the Swedish city of Gothenburg from 19–21 September for what they describe as an Assyrian parliament. The hybrid event included both physical and digital participation. The project, which has been in development for several years, has been plagued by divisions, delays, and challenges, according to observers. According to the bylaws published on the [official website](https://assyriaparliament.com/?ref=assyriapost.com), members of the parliament–limited to 33 representatives–are to be elected through general elections held worldwide, both online and in person. To be eligible, one must be a representative of a duly registered Assyrian organization or an "independent Assyrian intellectual and recognized community leader," the adopted bylaws state. The list of elected representatives shows that only 26 individuals were elected during the Gothenburg conference, with no explanation given as to why the body did not fill the 33 seats mandated by its bylaws. It also remains unclear what the Assyrian parliament representatives will do now that they have been elected. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/Parliament-2-1.jpg) The turnout during the founding conference was thin, as photos show. Photo: Assyrian Parliament. ### Lack of enthusiasm and buy-in For a project with the bold claim of representing the entire Assyrian nation, the activists behind the initiative have so far seen little support or participation. Assyrians in general appear only mildly interested, as very few took part in the first online elections, where just 874 votes were cast worldwide despite the availability of global online voting. Moreover, few Assyrian organizations have commented on the initiative, a sign interpreted as lack of buy-in from established actors. The activists behind the initiative, however, seem undeterred by the low turnout, believing they have taken a historic first step whose fruits will mature with time. ### The broader context The quest among Assyrians to establish a representative body is not new. The Assyrian Universal Alliance, set up in 1968, was originally intended to serve as an umbrella organization but evolved over the years in the opposite direction, eventually becoming just another political group among others. The idea of a body that would represent the will of the entire Assyrian nation has gained renewed momentum in recent years with the rise of social media and a more interconnected world, enabling activists to connect more effectively and work toward realizing the concept. While the basic idea of creating a representative body is sound, observers note that the project is rooted in a mindset that assumes the Assyrian nation must be rescued by external forces. The thought is that Assyrians have not been able to advance their cause by means of appeals to the international community because they have lacked proper representation. This belief is expressed in the parliament’s bylaws, which state: *"The Assyrian Parliament is established to justly represent the Assyrian people as an indigenous nation dispersed throughout the world, to defend their rights, preserve their language, culture, and heritage, and advocate for their political standing on both international and domestic levels."* Guided by this perspective, the activists behind the initiative believe that creating an entity under the title of "parliament" will help secure external backing. The problem with this thinking, observers argue, is that its basic assumptions are wrong. External backing or acknowledgment does not materialize solely because of a unified voice. Instead, it is something that a political movement needs to earn by demonstrating an ability to achieve tangible goals and establish facts on the ground. Some have compared the initiative to a man in need who, instead of putting in the hard work necessary to lift himself out of poverty, doubles down on begging in the streets, thinking that a new outfit will secure his salvation at the hands of a passerby. If having a representative body would have helped the Assyrian nation, the AUA would have succeeded a long time ago. As one commenter on social media noted: *"No one is against the idea, but if you are establishing a parliament to go around and ask for help, then you are making the same mistake as previous generations. However, if you are doing it to help the nation get organized and work for itself, then we are all with you."* ### Returning diaspora families build entire neighborhood in ancestral village URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/returning-diaspora-families-build-entire-neighborhood-in-ancestral-village/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T07:30:41.000Z Eleven Assyrian diaspora families with roots from the village of Ainwardo in the Turabdin Region have returned after 45 years abroad. Their comeback, however, has not been welcomed by all. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Assyrian leader warns of land grabs by armed groups in Nineveh Plain Region URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-leader-warns-of-land-grabs-by-armed-groups-in-nineveh-plain-region/ Last updated: 2025-09-27T06:18:38.000Z The Secretary General of the Assyrian Democratic Movement, Yacoob Gorgis, has spoken out against land grabs in the Nineveh Plain Region, pointing the finger at “parties backed by armed groups,” according to the official website of the movement. *“There are parties backed by armed groups that are working relentlessly to destabilize civil peace in the Nineveh Plain. From time to time, we witness attempts at demographic change in the areas of our people,”* he wrote in a post on his personal Facebook page, later [published on the movement’s website](https://zowaa.org/secretary-general-armed-groups-working-hard-to-destabilize-civil-peace-and-attempting-to-seize-our-peoples-lands-in-the-nineveh-plain/?ref=assyriapost.com) on 22 September. While the ADM Secretary General does not name any particular group, observers believe he is referring to Shia groups tied to Rayan al-Kaldani, who have seized military control over the Nineveh Plain Region, as well as the Shabak minority, who are also Shia. *“The pretext of granting land plots for construction in the so-called ‘place of origin’ is nothing but a false claim without any real basis. We will not allow the armed groups, nor those empowered by them, to seize what little remains of our people’s land after it was stolen and occupied during previous stages and past periods.”* *“We have long demanded and worked diligently for the establishment of new administrative units and municipal departments in parts of the Nineveh Plain, so that members of other communities could obtain land plots for housing in their own areas. Yet they have consistently refused this and continue to await opportunities to encroach upon the lands of Baghdeda, Bartella, Karamlesh, Alqosh, Tel Kaif, and other areas belonging to our people,”* he concluded. **The broader context** This latest public criticism by the ADM’s leadership mirrors the one it issued recently against the KRG leadership. While the criticism is fully justified and factually correct in both cases, it appears to be more connected to the ADM’s election strategy than to genuine efforts to confront the groups encroaching on Assyrian lands. [Assyrian Party accuses Kurdish leader of neglect and injustice in open letterIn an open letter to Kurdish leader Masrour Barzani, the head of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), Yacoob Gorgis, raised concerns over the occupation of Assyrian lands and the discrimination faced by Assyrians in northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-11.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-03-at-16.17.43-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/a/) The fast-approaching national elections this November are crucial for the ADM as it seeks to regain its position after losing its seats to candidates backed by Arab and Kurdish groups and political parties. The quota seats for Assyrians have been illegally appropriated by non-Assyrian groups through proxy voting. Assyrian demands to reform the election system to ensure that only Assyrians can vote for candidates vying for quota seats have so far fallen on deaf ears. This statement, along with the one issued this summer addressing the KRG, should therefore be seen as part of the ADM’s attempt to gain attention and strengthen its position ahead of the elections. ### Kurdish group calls for destruction of Assyrian churches in leaked Telegram chat URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-group-calls-for-destruction-of-assyrian-churches-in-leaked-telegram-chat/ Last updated: 2025-09-26T06:00:42.000Z A Telegram group under the name “Kurdish Youth” has garnered controversy after leaked text images reveal calls for the destruction of Assyrian churches in Northern Iraq. The telegram group is associated with the Kurdish organization “Hawpa” which carries Neo Nazi ideology. [KRG acknowledges Kurdish group calling for extermination of AssyriansThe rise of a Kurdish extremist group has alarmed Assyrians in Northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-9.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-07-at-23.16.56-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-group-calling-for-extermination-of-assyrians/) In the leaked message, the group accused church institutions of being anti-Kurdish and calls for terrorist attacks to blow them up and to prevent new churches to be built. The leaked message, written in Kurdish, reads: *As we know, KRG:s churches are the meeting places of the Nestorians, who preach against the Kurds! Therefore, the solution to this issue is to blow up all the churches in KRG or close them! They have built many churches in KRG in the name of Christ, but these places are places of opposition to the Kurds! Therefore, it must be destroyed and its construction banned.* News of the Telegram post quickly spread among Assyrian circles on social media, urging action against the group. The “Kurdish Youth” Telegram post follows an incident in June 2025, when Hawpa posted a public anti-Assyrian Instagram video misrepresenting the indigenous population of Northern Iraq, and calling for mobilization against them. Despite Hawpa claiming that the group has taken a hiatus, it has continued activities online and through various Telegram chats. [Assyrians attacked during national Akitu parade in NohadraAssyrians found themselves under attack during the national new year parade in Nohadra (Dohuk), Northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-10.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-07-20-at-23.36.30.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-man-attacks-assyrians-during-national-parade/) ### Assyrian film wins “Best Cinematography” at Baghdad International Film Festival URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-film-wins-best-cinematography-at-baghdad-international-film-festival/ Last updated: 2025-09-25T06:19:01.000Z The Assyrian filmmaker Frank Gilbert has won the award for Best Cinematography at the Baghdad International Film Festival. Gilbert was nominated for the award after the release of his film “Son of Assyria”, which has been praised for its cinematography and for providing representation of Assyrians in a field where they have been historically underrepresented. In a statement after the ceremony, Gilbert stated “This award is not just for me. It is for all the young Assyrians who dream of telling their stories through film. Our voices matter, and this recognition shows that there is space for us in the cultural life of Iraq.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-23-at-22.47.08.png) Frank Gilbert at the awards ceremony in Baghdad. “Son of Assyria” is Gilbert’s third movie, having produced the films “Journey of Eternity” (2022) and “Road to Urmi” (2024) in years prior. “Journey of Eternity” tells the story of the three martyrs; Youbert Shlimon, Youkhana Jajo, and Yousip Hermis who were hanged in 1985 under Saddam Hussein’s regime. “Road to Urmi” tells the story of a mother-son duo during the events of the Assyrian genocide. Gilberts films are part of a growing number of cinematic experiences bringing light to the Assyrian people and the various facets and representations of their heritage. Gilbert was born in 1981 in Kirkuk, Iraqi Assyria and is currently living in Chicago, US. ### KRG exploits visit of Assyrians in PR blitz amid land grabs, discrimination accusations URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/krg-exploits-visit-of-assyrians-in-pr-blitz-amid-land-grabs-discrimination-accusations/ Last updated: 2025-09-24T06:15:16.000Z Four Assyrian-Americans from the *Assyrians for Justice* organization toured northern Iraq for several days in September. Led by Sam Darmo, a Phoenix real estate agent and co-founder of *Assyrians for Trump*, the group met with an impressive list of high-ranking officials from the Barzani-led KRG. The delegation was received by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, President Nechirvan Barzani, and former leader Masoud Barzani. They were also invited to a “special dinner” hosted by Bayan Rahman, Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister, with Foreign Minister Safeen Dizayee and other KRG officials in attendance. The visit followed an event in the U.S. Congress on July 21, sponsored by Republican Congressman Abraham Hamadeh of Arizona, to honor Assyrian martyrs. That event was attended by Bayan Rahman and Safeen Dizayee and widely covered by Kurdish media. Afterward, Darmo and his associates visited the KRG office in Washington, issuing a press release thanking Kurdish officials for their “commitment to open dialogue.” ### Exploiting the visit for political ends Darmo's visit to Northern Iraq was quickly turned into a public relations blitz by the KRG, which is seeking continued U.S. backing and support. During the tour, the Assyrian-Americans were brought on several Kurdish media outlets controlled by the Barzani family. Coverage consistently framed the visit as proof of KRG’s support for Assyrians. Headlines included: *“Assyrian Advocate Hails KRG Region’s Role in Safeguarding Assyrians’ Rights”, “President Barzani Reiterates Erbil’s Pledge to Safeguarding Ethnic, Religious Communities”* (Rudaw English)*, “US Assyrian Delegation Commends KRG Coexistence”* (Bas News), followed by another article by the same outlet declaring, *“KRG Emerging as a Safe Haven for Assyrians: US Delegation.”* Research by *The Post* shows the Kurdish outlets published near-identical stories multiple times in a matter of days with slightly altered headlines and content – a common SEO tactic known as duplicate content farming to maximize exposure. Meanwhile, the KRG’s Washington office circulated links to these articles to several U.S. congressional offices and other contacts, *The Post* has learned. ### A long list of atrocities and systemic discrimination While the KRG promotes itself as a champion of peaceful coexistence, especially to Western audiences, Assyrian grievances remain deep. Beyond attempts to distort Assyrian history and identity, independent Assyrian and international organizations have [documented](https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/4ec518%5F18285c91d7924250aa1c52b0b4c7da9f.pdf?ref=assyriapost.com) decades of systemic discrimination, attacks, and land seizures against Assyrians since the KRG’s creation in 1992. The undermining of Assyrians has also been carried out in areas outside Kurdish control as the KRG is seeking to annex the Nineveh Plain – an Assyrian region with no Kurdish demographic presence – through a mix of coercion and incentives, as [documented by Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org/report/2009/11/10/vulnerable-ground/violence-against-minority-communities-nineveh-provinces-disputed?ref=assyriapost.com). ### One meeting granted, another denied Darmo, who gathers only a handful of American-Assyrians, was warmly welcomed by all three top Barzani leaders. Meanwhile, the head of the biggest Assyrian political party in the KRG, the Assyrian Democratic Movement, recently revealed in an open letter that Masoud Barzani has repeatedly ignored requests to meet and discuss ongoing land occupations and other unresolved issues affecting Assyrians. [Assyrian Party accuses Kurdish leader of neglect and injustice in open letterIn an open letter to Kurdish leader Masrour Barzani, the head of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), Yacoob Gorgis, raised concerns over the occupation of Assyrian lands and the discrimination faced by Assyrians in northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-7.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-03-at-16.17.43-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/a/) On social media, Darmo faced backlash from Assyrians who accused him of naivety and providing the KRG with propaganda material. One user commented on ANB Sat’s Facebook page: > *“Alright then, ask the unemployed Assyrians, the villagers surrounded by checkpoints, and the landowners and farmers whose properties have been seized. Look at the objections that have been pending for years without resolution, and compare the services in Assyrian areas with those in Kurdish areas. Then you’ll get the correct answer. The truth must always be told.”* Despite Darmos formal praise for the KRG, he was careful to dodge questions that could upset his hosts. When asked about the “historical bond” between Kurds and Assyrians in one interview, Darmo simply replied,*“Exactly..,”* without addressing that this “bond” has been marked by repeated Kurdish atrocities against Assyrians. Historians studying the 1915 Assyrian genocide conclude that Kurds were not only eager participants but also key drivers. Kurds likewise played major roles in the Simele Massacre and many other assaults on Assyrians. [Ankawa’s Assyrians protest ongoing land grabs and attempts to reshape the areaGrowing fears of residents leads to protests against systemic erosion of areas’ Assyrian identity.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-8.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1639395210912-d65514e3f1d3)](https://www.assyriapost.com/ankawas-assyrians-protest-ongoing-land-grabs-and-attempts-to-reshape-the-area/) ### The broader context President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated his reluctance to entangle the U.S. in foreign conflicts and makes no secret of his broadly unfavorable views of the Muslim world. The KRG, as a Muslim-majority entity reliant on U.S. backing, has long sought to maintain strong influence in Washington. Its survival ultimately is dependent on continued American backing and strengthening its image as a protector of "Christians" has always been high on its agenda for this reason. Many Assyrians believe that by rolling out the red carpet for a few Assyrian individuals representing only themselves, Kurdish leaders secured valuable PR: projecting the KRG anew as a protector of Christians and producing a stream of media headlines to circulate abroad by simply flattering Darmo with high-level access. An Assyrian political analyst in Nohadra, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, told *The Post*: > *“There’s no doubt Sam Darmo wants to do something good for Assyrians here, but if the KRG had sincere intentions, there would be no need for anyone to come from the U.S. Instead, he has made himself the latest example of Assyrian political* naivety*. He has given the Kurds exactly what they want in exchange for absolutely nothing.”* It is unclear if the delegation also met with Wendy Green, the new U.S. Consul General in Erbil. ### Youtube documentary on Assyrian genocide gains more than five million views URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/youtube-documentary-on-assyrian-genocide-gains-more-than-five-million-views/ Last updated: 2025-09-23T11:09:14.000Z The popular YouTube channel *A Day in History*, with more than eight hundred thousand subscribers and the stated aim of “shedding light on some of history’s most suppressed but factual events,” published a mini-documentary about the Assyrian genocide in October 2023. Since its release, the documentary has garnered more than 5.2 million views on YouTube, making it one of the channel’s most-watched videos. It also generated significant interaction in the form of likes and comments, with one viewer writing: *“I’d heard about the Armenian genocide, but I’d never heard about this. Thanks for spreading awareness about these atrocities.”* In the introduction, the team behind *A Day in History* acknowledged that they themselves had initially overlooked the Assyrian genocide, stating: *“It seems impossible that we would forget genocides of entire people, but events like the Assyrian genocide show us how fickle human memory can be.”* The documentary is well-researched and factually accurate, with sources listed in the description, including the detailed book *Massacres, Resistance, Protectors: Muslim-Christian Relations in Eastern Anatolia during World War I* (2006) by Swedish researcher David Gaunt. *“The struggle of the Assyrians is easily overlooked, but it contains tales of incredible brutality and of admirable resistance,”* the description notes. ### Largest Known Assyrian Winged Bull and royal clay tablets uncovered in ancient Nineveh URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/largest-known-assyrian-winged-bull-and-royal-clay-tablets-uncovered-in-ancient-nineveh/ Last updated: 2025-09-22T06:00:46.000Z A team of archeologists have announced the discovery of what is believed to be the largest Assyrian winged bull ever unearthed. Standing approximately 6 meters tall, this colossal statue was found inside the throne hall of King Ashurbanipal's palace, in Nineveh, behind the Prophet Jonah shrine. “This is an unparalleled moment in Assyrian archaeology,” the Director of the Nineveh Antiquities and Heritage Inspectorate was quoted by international media. “We have never before uncovered a winged bull of this magnitude.” Archaeologists, working in partnership with Germany’s Heidelberg University and local heritage authorities, say this remarkable find helps reshape our understanding of Assyrian architecture and royal symbolism. Smaller replicas of the winged bull were discovered alongside it, helping experts confirm the scale of the ancient throne hall. Other finds at the site include clay tablets inscribed by Assyrian kings such as Sennacherib, Ashurbanipal, and Esarhaddon, and artifacts believed to represent war spoils from Egypt and the Levant. It is estimated that only a fraction of ancient Assyria’s archaeological sites have been excavated, with new discoveries continuing to emerge across the Assyrian heartland in northern Iraq. ### Residence of Agha Petros in France burns to the ground URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/former-residence-of-agha-petros-in-france-burns-to-the-ground/ Last updated: 2025-09-20T23:46:55.000Z A fire destroyed Château de Novital, the former residence of 20th-century Assyrian figure Petros Elia, more known as Agha Petros, on the evening of Saturday, 20 September, according to French local media. Reports state that only the stone walls remain. The château, abandoned for several decades, had become a favorite destination for Urbex enthusiasts, urban explorers who seek out abandoned sites that are normally off-limits to the public. Local Assyrians in Saint-Jory, the small town outside Toulouse in southern France where the estate is located, say the château was left to decay due to an ownership dispute among Agha Petros’s grandchildren, as well as the high costs of maintenance. According to Assyrians familiar with the residence, it still had Assyrian books, writings, photos and other items left there by the Elloff family (Petros Elia had changed his surname to Elloff in France). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-21-at-01.26.04.png) The grave of Agha Petros and several of his family members in Saint-Jory, France. Photo: Prokhor Zabelin Petros is regarded by many Assyrians as a hero for his role during the tumultuous years of World War I and the Seyfo genocide. Yet his legacy remains contested. Some local Assyrians in Saint-Jory, whose grandparents were contemporaries of Petros, claim he was a devious manipulator who exploited the Assyrian cause to acquire the château for himself and was ultimately motivated by self-interest. ### Lena Chamamyan: The Assyrian–Armenian singer-songwriter blending East and West URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/lena-chamamyan-the-assyrian-armenian-singer-songwriter-blending-east-and-west/ Last updated: 2025-09-20T06:09:13.000Z Assyrian–Armenian singer-songwriter Lena Chamamyan has established herself as a unique artist with a unique voice. Her music is known for its fusion of Arabic and Armenian folk songs together with Western classical music and modern styles, such as jazz. Chamamyan was born in Syria to an Armenian father and an Assyrian mother. She is much more well known by her Armenian roots, as her father's side is Armenian Catholic originally from Marash (modern day Kahramanmaraş, Turkey). Chamamyan’s Assyrian side is originally from Mardin, and during her childhood, she sang in the choir of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Her maternal grandmother made her interested in music as she taught traditional Armenian music and classical songs, while her father was a saxophonist. Lena grew up with her identity split between her father's and her mother's community. As a child, she attended an Armenian Catholic school in the old city of Damascus, where she has stated that she had a hard time finding her place, as the children considered her only half-Armenian She has spoken about her childhood as a child of a mixed marriage, saying: “In winter I sang in the Armenian church and in summer in the Syriac church. Today, when they ask me about my identity, I answer ‘Songs, words, and dreams’.” ### Manifestation planned in Paris following horrific murder of Assyrian man URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/manifestation-planned-in-paris-following-horrific-murder-of-assyrian-man/ Last updated: 2025-09-19T06:26:07.000Z A demonstration has been announced following the horrific murder of Assyrian Ashur Sarnaya on 10 September in his home in Lyon, in what is believed to have been an Islamic attack over his online criticism of Islam. The event, planned for 28 September, will take place in central Paris, according to announcements made online. [Assyrian man slain in Lyon, France in suspected islamic attackThe Assyrian man was stabbed in the throat while live streaming on TikTok in what is believed to be an Islamic attack for his criticism of Islam in his videos.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-6.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/rip-ashur-sarnaya-45-murdered-yesterday-by-an-islamist-in-v0-m1smcVXxgaMvhQG2QQiUQtfqys70NBtVfHrpWDMB-Dw.jpeg.webp)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-man-slain-in-lyon-france-in-suspected-islamic-attack/) The organizers, identified by French Christian outlets as Orthodox and Catholic individuals, say they want to draw attention to the plight of persecuted Christians in France and around the world, a phenomenon they describe as Christianophobia. “Ashur's murder was only a trigger, revealing the reality of Christian persecution in France and the danger of silence,” Antonio, one of the organizers, told reporters. News of Sarnaya’s murder – streamed live on TikTok as the attacker stabbed him in the neck – has been widely reported in French media, though suspicions of it being an Islamic attack have been downplayed in mainstream coverage. The case gained further attention when Marine Le Pen, France’s leading opposition figure and an outspoken critic of Muslim immigration, shared the news on her social media accounts. The announcement of the rally has spread quickly across Christian websites and social media, with many Assyrians in France expressing their intention to attend. Paris is home to a sizable Assyrian community. The leading Assyrian organization in France, AACF, issued a statement on 19 September condemning the killing and expressing disappointment in French media for their silence. The statement also called for the authorities to do their outmost to identify the perpetrators. France has been shaken by several Islamic terror attacks in recent years, fueling debates about migration, Islam, and integration. The country’s Minister of the Interior recently revealed that anti-Christian acts have risen, with “401 incidents recorded between January and June compared to 354 over the same period in 2024, an increase of 13%.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/b1ojli2i2npf1-2.jpeg) The poster announcing the manifestation following the murder of the Assyrian Ashur Sarnaya. ### Mike Josef: the Assyrian-German mayor of Frankfurt URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/mike-josef-the-assyrian-german-mayor-of-frankfurt/ Last updated: 2025-09-18T08:18:35.000Z Mike Josef, the Mayor of Germany’s financial capital Frankfurt am Main since 2023, has an Assyrian background. Josef was born to Assyrian parents in Qamishli, Syria, before immigrating to Germany at the age of four. A Protestant Christian, he ran for the position of Lord Mayor of Frankfurt am Main for the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) in 2022 and assumed office in May 2023\. He has used his platform to advocate stricter gun control and harder disciplinary actions against drug dealers in the city. He studied political science, history and law at the Goethe University in Frankfurt, where he graduated as a political scientist. He then served as the city’s head of planning and sports before securing his position as mayor. More than 300 thousand Assyrians are estimated to live in Germany today, making it the country with the largest Assyrian diaspora community in Europe. ### Group visits to Assyria on the rise as diaspora seeks to reconnect with its roots URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/group-visits-to-assyria-on-the-rise-as-diaspora-seeks-to-reconnect-with-its-roots/ Last updated: 2025-10-29T23:11:15.000Z While once rare, the increased stability following the defeat of ISIS has enabled diaspora groups to help more Assyrians discover and reconnect with their homeland. The trend has become particularly notable this summer, according to people familiar with the matter. The most prominent diaspora organization arranging such visits is **Gishru** (English: *bridge*). The U.S.-based organization, dedicated to reconnecting Assyrians in the diaspora with those in the ancestral homeland, is now in its tenth year of organizing group trips, which have grown in popularity year after year. Gishru has developed into a professional organization offering carefully tailored trips designed to maximize immersion in local Assyrian life. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/547320650_2291938517899861_1541972125209199551_n.jpg) Members of the Assyrian Mesopotamian Association in Enschede in an Assyrian church in Nisibin, Assyria. Photo: AMVE Assyrian church organizations are also active in encouraging members to explore the roots of their faith. One example is SOKU, the Syriac Orthodox Church’s Youth Federation in Sweden, which recently brought a group of young people to the Turabdin Region. Their visit included tours of ancient churches and monasteries, communal prayers, and exchanges with local Assyrians. Similarly, the World Council of Arameans, an Assyrian organization focusing on Syriac church heritage, led a group visit to Turabdin earlier this summer, highlighting the region’s rich monastic history. Even local diaspora associations are joining the effort. The Assyrian Mesopotamian Association in Enschede, the Netherlands, organized a group trip for its members this summer, showing that interest is spreading beyond larger umbrella organizations. With growing stability in the Assyrian homeland and increasing curiosity among new generations of diaspora Assyrians, demand for such group visits is expected to rise further in the years ahead. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-13-at-23.30.33.png) Members of a Gishru trip in Assyria. Photo: Gishru ### Assyrian sworn in as Tasmanian MP URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-sworn-in-as-tasmanian-mp/ Last updated: 2025-09-15T06:06:47.000Z Assyrian George Razayhas won a seat in the Tasmanian state parliament.Tasmania is an island state of Australia, located 240 kilometres (150 miles) to the south of the Australian mainland. Representing the electorate of Bass as an independent, Razay enters public office after decades of service as a doctor, researcher, and community advocate. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/330px-Tasmania_in_Australia.svg.png) Tasmania in red. ### **From Assyria's Gozarto to Australia's Tasmania** Razay was born in 1956 in Al-Malikiyah, a town in north-eastern Syria's Gozarto Region, as one of eight children in a working-class Assyrian family. Despite his parents having little or no formal education – his father only reaching fifth grade and his mother being illiterate – they instilled in their children a deep respect for learning. That foundation would shape Razay’s path and lead him toward medicine. In the 1990s, Razay relocated to Tasmania after spending several years in England. Over nearly three decades, he became a leading figure in the study and treatment of dementia. During his maiden speech in the Tasmanian Parliament, Razay honoured his heritage by reciting the Lord’s Prayer in Assyrian. He invited his colleagues to join in, filling the chamber with a prayer spoken for two millennia. ### Kurdish group renews attempt to impose curriculum on Assyrian schools in Syria's Gozarto Region URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-group-renews-attempt-to-impose-curriculum-on-assyrian-schools-in-syrias-gozarto-region/ Last updated: 2025-09-14T06:06:03.000Z The Kurdish group in control of northeastern Syria, under the name of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, has once again demanded that Assyrian schools in the Gozarto region adopt its curriculum. This latest pressure comes after negotiations between the Kurdish entity and the Syrian Ministry of Education in Damascus failed to reach an agreement. Previous attempts by the PKK-aligned group to impose its curriculum on private schools belonging to the indigenous Assyrian population were met with fierce opposition, forcing the unelected administration to back down. [Assyrians in Syria Protest PYD’s Closure of Schools in QamishliOn the morning of August 28, 2018, militiamen belonging to the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the Sutoro, a force affiliated with the Syriac Military Council (MFS) and the Dawronoye, entered private Assyrian schools in Qamishli, Syria and expelled all administrators and teachers. When the school staff refused to turnover keys to the school buildings, the PYD Asayish and Sutoro proceeded to break the existing locks and replace them, declaring the schools were closed. The school year is![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/pfavico-1.ico)Assyrian PolicyAssyrian Policy Institute![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6ae567_e7215070259c4c3aa5150eb99252c5d8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_720,h_540,al_c,q_85/6ae567_e7215070259c4c3aa5150eb99252c5d8~mv2.jpg)](https://www.assyrianpolicy.org/post/assyrians-in-syria-protest-pyd-s-closure-of-schools-in-qamishli?ref=assyriapost.com) #### Indoctrination, Historical Revisionism, and Fear of Invalid Diplomas Assyrians oppose the Kurdish curriculum for several reasons. It contains ideological indoctrination aligned with the group’s Marxist ideology, portraying its leader Abdullah Öcalan as a god-like figure. It also promotes historical revisionism, attempting to rewrite the history of the Assyrian region in favor of a constructed Kurdish narrative. Another concern is that no authorities recognize its self-proclaimed administration, meaning diplomas issued under its curriculum are not recognized by Damascus. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/Al-Hasakah_in_Syria_2016.svg.png) The Gozarto Region occupies the north-eastern part of Syria, and historically part of the Assyrian homeland. #### Gozarto – A Diverse Region Under Pressure The multi-ethnic region, known in Assyrian as Gozarto, was historically majority Assyrian but is today believed to have an Arab majority. Since shortly after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the area has been under the control of the Kurdish PYD party, an offshoot of the PKK. Since taking power, the group has embarked on a two-pronged strategy: it has built a pro-Kurdish system of patronage in Assyrian and other groups, financing alternative civil society organizations to compete with, undermine, and challenge the authority of established groups. The PYD also maintains a private Assyrian militia, created ostensibly to protect Assyrians from outside violence, but which in reality serves to entrench Kurdish influence and control, and deflect accusations of oppression against Assyrians. At the same time, the Kurdish group has resorted to harsh tactics in response to dissidents in both Kurdish and non-Kurdish communities who challenge its control. Its forces have relied on intimidation, threats, arbitrary arrests, detentions and even targeted killings of leaders to coerce the support of indigenous Assyrians. [19-Year-Old Assyrian Woman Detained by SDF Forces in Northeast SyriaThe API is alarmed by reports that Samira Habsono, a 19-year-old Assyrian woman from Qamishli, was detained by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on August 1, 2022 and falsely accused of espionage for the Syrian Government. In the two weeks since her arrest, no charges or evidence have been presented. She has been held incommunicado and has been denied access to legal counsel. According to family members, Habsono is being held at the SDF-run al-Baytarih women’s prison in the city of Al-Hasakah.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/pfavico-2.ico)Assyrian PolicyAssyrian Policy Institute![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6ae567_463d2686d6fb492e894ee1a644631703~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/6ae567_463d2686d6fb492e894ee1a644631703~mv2.png)](https://www.assyrianpolicy.org/post/19-year-old-assyrian-woman-detained-by-sdf-forces-in-northeast-syria?ref=assyriapost.com) Despite the well-documented reality on the ground, the Kurdish group has managed to project an image of a progressive experiment in local self-rule by claiming to promote the rights of women and minorities to the outside world. ### Dutch-Assyrian MP Isa Kahraman submits motion for last-name changes to help Assyrians reclaim their original family names URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/dutch-assyrian-mp-isa-kahraman-submits-motion-for-last-name-changes-to-help-assyrians-reclaim-their-original-family-names/ Last updated: 2025-09-13T06:19:01.000Z Dutch-Assyrian parliamentarian Isa Kahraman has requested granting Assyrians and Armenians living in the Netherlands the right to change Turkish-imposed surnames. The motion he submitted is based on a law that was passed on 3 May, 2024 that gave the descendants of enslaved peoples in the Netherlands the right to change their surnames without any fees. The Dutch Parliament is expected to debate the motion soon. Kahraman was born to Assyrian parents originally from the village of Bote (Turkish: Bardakçı) and immigrated with his parents to the Netherlands when he was eight years old. He originally won a seat in parliament in 2023 and has used his position to, among other issues, advocate for Assyrian and general West Asian minority rights. Recently, Kahraman met with ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to discuss an international tribunal to try Islamic State members in a court setting. He is the first Assyrian in the Dutch Parliament, though he has recently announced that he will not be seeking a second term. *Kahraman is a member* of the New Social Contract party *(Dutch: Nieuw Sociaal Contract*)**,** a Christian democratic political party in the Netherlands founded by Dutch politician Pieter Omtzigt in 2023, who has championed Assyrian issues throughout his political career. The estimated number of Assyrians in the Netherlands ranges from 35,000 to50,000 people, primarily living in the eastern part of the country, particularly in the province of Overijssel along the border with Germany. ### Assyrian man slain in Lyon, France in suspected islamic attack URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-man-slain-in-lyon-france-in-suspected-islamic-attack/ Last updated: 2025-09-11T23:07:55.000Z A 45-year-old disabled Assyrian man, Ashur Sarnaya, was killed in his home in the city of Lyon on Wednesday evening, French media [reported](https://www.sudouest.fr/france/lyon-un-homme-en-fauteuil-roulant-meurt-poignarde-une-enquete-est-ouverte-25881606.php?ref=assyriapost.com). Ashur was live streaming on social media when someone entered his apartment and began stabbing him in the throat. In videos shared online from the stream, blood can be seen pouring from his throat as he struggles to breathe. A witness filmed a person from behind leaving the scene, a young figure, in dark clothing and a hood on his head, believed to be the perpetrator of the murder. Originally from the town of Ankawa in Iraqi Assyria, Ashour was confined to a wheelchair and known for his live broadcasts on TikTok about Christianity and religion. Many now believe he was killed for comments he made about Islam. In one of his videos, still visible on TikTok, he said his content was regularly blocked and his accounts suspended – claims he attributed to reports by Muslim users. He received several threatening messages from Muslims online in the comments to his videos. His family had fled to France after the arrival of ISIS in 2014, seeking safety and a new life. Mohamed Chihi, Lyon’s deputy for security, denounced what he called “an abject crime” and expressed hope that the case would be “elucidated as soon as possible.” In a statement, the Œuvre d’Orient, a Catholic association that supports Christians in the East, condemned the murder of an Assyrian Christian in a vulnerable situation. ### Assyrian boxer Jonny "Magic" Mansour tours northern Iraq, including hometown Alqosh URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-boxer-jonny-magic-mansour-tours-northern-iraq-including-hometown-alqosh/ Last updated: 2025-09-11T06:00:12.000Z Assyrian boxer and professional fighter Jonathan Mansour, known professionally as Jonny "Magic" Mansour, from San Diego, California has been touring northern Iraq as part of his official selection to represent Iraq at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Visiting Alqosh, Mansour was greeted by the Alqosh Athletic Club, and as part of his visit, Ishtar TV has produced a 25 minute short documentary of his experiences as he details his travels and story. During his trip, Mansour posted videos of himself exploring the Assyrian village of Tel Keppe and the Rabban Hormuzd Monastery alongside boxing trainer Ann Najjar. Mansour was also celebrated at the Syriac Heritage Museum in Ankawa with an award in anticipation of his participation in the Olympics. Mansour was born to Assyrian parents of Chaldean Catholic faith in the year 2000\. After developing an interest in boxing at 8 years old, he went on to win the 2023 National Golden Gloves Tournament and has maintained an impressive winning streak of matches. He has held the title of number one featherweight in the USA (132 lbs) for two consecutive years before moving up to dominate at lightweight. He maintains a significant following amongst the 15.000 strong Assyrian community of El Cajon in San Diego. He is currently one of the only two Assyrian pro fighters, alongside Rocky “Rockman” Salem Somo. ### Assyrian-Swedish rapper Ant Wan begins retirement URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-swedish-rapper-ant-wan-begins-retirement/ Last updated: 2025-09-10T06:26:26.000Z Assyrian rapper Ant Wan has entered retirement from August 1st after his performance at the Dream Park Festival. The festival, based in Malmo, was his last tour performance before officially stepping away from music; at 27 years old, he was considered one of Sweden’s rising hip hop stars. Ant Wan, or Antwan Afrem, was born in 1998 to an Assyrian family from Syria. He originally went by the name Råby, after the area in the Swedish town of Västerås he grew up in, but would change his name in 2018\. Ant Wan made headlines in 2024 for performing a concert at the Tele2 arena in Stockholm, beating a record of attendance previously held by Madonna. In May 2025, he announced on his Instagram that he would be retiring from music saying that he's tired of performing and not wanting to do something he doesn't enjoy anymore. The artist remains popular with around half a million monthly listeners on Spotify and several of his songs having more than 40 million plays. Ant Wan is described as a phenomenon by Swedish music critics as he came seemingly from nowhere to beat new concert records. Sweden’s Assyrian community has recently seen a number of successful rappers that have dominated the country’s music charts. Among other rappers are Ricky Rich (Ricky Haydari Akdoğan), A36 (Geivar Hasado Shlaimon), and the now-deceased Gaboro (Ninos Moses Khouri). ### Erdogans envoy to Assyrians and Yazidis: "Our differences are our riches" URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/erdogans-envoy-to-assyrians-and-yazidies-our-differences-are-our-riches/ Last updated: 2025-09-12T10:50:04.000Z Zafer Sırakaya, a high-ranking member of President Erdogan's AK Party, has been on tour in the Turabdin Region in connection with the visit of Patriarch Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church. In addition to holding an extended meeting with the patriarch and a number of bishops accompanying him, Sırakaya also met with Assyrians and Yazidis in Midyat as well as in local villages. "We all don't have to agree. Our differences are our riches. We believe that our cultural richness comes from thinking differently. But we share a common opinion on one issue, and that is our flag. We have one flag, only one state. We lived together, and we will continue to live together," he was quoted as saying in [Turkish media](https://www.kurtalangazetesi.com/mobil/haber/haber-95061.html?ref=assyriapost.com) to a group of Assyrians and Yazidis in Midyat. He went on to emphasize that the local authorities provide equal services to all citizens without any discrimination, something he said local Assyrians and Yazidis he met praised. "We observe that many of our Yazidi and Assyrian brothers who left these lands in the past have come back, directed their investments here, and rebuilt their houses. I think this is related to Turkey's last 20 years of democratization and reform," Sırakaya said. Turkey changed its policy towards the indigenous Assyrians around the year 2000, embarking on what can be described as a charm offensive to lure back members of the growing and affluent Assyrian diaspora with roots in the Turabdin Region. Analysts interpret this pivot as part of a wider Turkish strategy to curb further Kurdification of the area by strengthening the indigenous Assyrian population. ### Europe's only Assyrian school to get its own building after almost two decades URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/europes-only-assyrian-school-to-have-its-own-building-after-almost-two-decades/ Last updated: 2025-09-08T20:10:00.000Z The joy was palpable on 17 August this year as representatives gathered on an empty plot of land in Botkyrka, south of Stockholm, for a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for the new building of the School of Edessa (*Swedish: Edessaskolan*). What began in 2008 with just a handful of students has since grown into a full-fledged primary school welcoming up to 200 children from kindergarten to fifth grade, with further expansion planned once the new premises are completed. Edessaskolan is a language-focused charter school that prioritizes Swedish while also offering Western Assyrian as an extended mother-tongue subject. All students receive two weekly lessons in Western Assyrian and two in Oriental music, in addition to the regular curriculum. While not owned or governed by the Syriac Orthodox Church, the school maintains a Christian profile, teaching the foundations of the church and emphasizing the Aramean heritage of the Assyrian nation. As a charter school, its operations are fully funded by the state. At present, the school operates from temporary pavilions close to the construction site. The new building is expected to be completed by 2027. The initiative to establish the school was led by Assyrian businessman Samir Rhawi, together with Dr. Assad Sauma Assad, Gabriel Marawgeh, and principal Robert Abraham. Despite initial rejection by the Swedish Schools Inspectorate (*Skolinspektionen*) and the absence of support from larger organizations, they ultimately succeeded. Edessaskolan is managed by the Bar Hebraeus Foundation, founded in 2006 and named after one of the most prominent fathers of the Syriac Orthodox Church. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/botkyrka-kommun-1.png) Botkyrka municipality, where the school is located, is home to a large Assyrian community. It lies just 20 kilometers north of Södertälje, the town with Sweden’s largest Assyrian population. ### Assyria in pictures URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyria-in-pictures/ Last updated: 2025-09-06T11:51:01.000Z Curated photos from recent events across Assyria and the diaspora that show the diversity, beautify and resilience of the Assyrian nation. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Mor-Gabriel-Monastery.jpg) **Above and below:** Patriarch Afrem II performing the Holy Mass during the feast of Mor Gabriel at the Mor Gabriel monastery. 8 Metropolitics, 20 priests and thousands of people from different countries of the world joined. Photo: Mor Gabriel Monastery. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/540366150_1208543277972837_6531128343868790067_n.jpg) --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/540950509_1100816362141613_5656828170979541463_n.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/540206333_1100816535474929_2663036376052409212_n.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/540336525_1100812258808690_2526843957525542099_n.jpg) **Above:** Assyrian women's volleyball team Sanhareeb won the Iraqi volleyball champion on 29th August in Ankawa. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/514261559_1223322126498847_1053193138208060247_n.jpg) **Above:** The 92nd Assyrian National Convention was held in California. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/539934677_18500271082067781_1349668252537284801_n.jpg) **Above:** Assyrian singers Ashur Betsargis and Madlin Madlen Ishoeva pose for a picture in the Assyrian village of Arzni, in Armenia. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/540493634_18380846773134191_1013464089128222025_n.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/539916363_18380846788134191_8826914381113567187_n.jpg) **Above:** Assyrian artists exhibit their artwork at the Assyrian National Convention in California. Photo: Assyrian Arts Institute ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/508398865_18198373606308088_6093509799124445367_n-1.jpg) **Above:** First picnic of the year of the Mar Zaia Assyrian Church of the East Youth Group, Canada Ontario. June 17, 2025\. Photo: Mar Zaia Assyrian Church of the East Youth Group ### Photo credits At *The Assyria Post*, we make every effort to credit the individuals and organizations behind the photos we publish. If we have used a photo taken by you without acknowledgment, it is most likely because we were unable to identify the photographer. If this is the case, please contact us at **news@assyriapost.com**. We also welcome contributions – reach out if you would like your photos to be featured in an upcoming *Assyria in Pictures* post. ### Renowned assyriologists to speak at Assyrian Australian event URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/renowned-assyriologists-to-speak-at-assyrian-australian-event/ Last updated: 2025-09-06T12:18:28.000Z Stephany Dally and Simo Parpola, both internationally recognized scholars of ancient Assyrian and Mesopotamian civilization, will speak at the Gilgamesh Festival organized by the Assyrian Australian Association on 1 November. The organizers promise “unforgettable lectures on the Epic of Gilgamesh and other ancient Mesopotamian writings.” Stephany Dally, a British scholar, is well known for her argument that the true location of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon was in fact in Nineveh. Among her most influential works is *The Legacy of Mesopotamia*, a groundbreaking book that demonstrates how Mesopotamian and Assyrian concepts, ideals, rituals, and myths were adopted and transformed by other cultures across the world. The Finnish scholar Simo Parpola, meanwhile, has stood out as one of the few assyriologists to openly acknowledge the continuity of Assyrian identity throughout history. He has actively engaged with Assyrian organizations through lectures and interviews, sharing his expertise and insights. ### Conference on minorities of Middle East to take place in Israel URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/conference-on-minorities-of-middle-east-to-take-place-in-israel/ Last updated: 2025-09-04T07:13:41.000Z A conference under the headline "*The Future of Minorities in the Middle East"* will take place in Tel Aviv on the 27th October this year. Social media personality and self-described Middle East expert, Edy Cohen, who has a big following on X, has taken the initiative to arrange the conference. According to Cohen, hundreds of participants are expected – Alawites, Druz, Assyrians, Kurds, Yazidis and others, with most of them traveling from countries outside of the Middle East. "The conference will provide an excellent platform to raise the issue of minorities and the deep Israeli connection to it. It will focus on Israeli aid and shed light on the future of minorities – from Druze and Alawites to Assyrians, Yazidis and Christians to other groups", the organizer says to Israel Today. "The conference, with the participation of international and Israeli personalities, aims to open new horizons of dialogue on reconciliation, justice and the safeguarding of the fundamental rights of those communities that have long been an integral part of the regional structure. It will be a bridge for these minorities to Israel and the Jewish people", according to the organizer. ### "It feels like a historic event" URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/it-feels-like-a-historic-event/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T07:29:42.000Z Earlier this week, Mor Ignatius II Ephrem Kerim undertook a pastoral and civic visit to Midyat, a town with a population of 120,000\. During the visit, he emphasised the region's profound Assyrian heritage and promoted interfaith harmony. He met with the mayor of Midyat, Veysi Şahin, as well as local Assyrian community leaders. During the meeting, Mayor Şahin expressed his pride in hosting the Patriarch of the Assyrians in Midyat, the 'city of religions and languages', and affirmed that municipal services are delivered without discrimination. He also emphasised the district’s rich cultural and religious heritage. Patriarch Ephrem Kerim remarked on the noticeable changes and developments in Midyat, praising the hospitality he experienced and the progress seen across the region. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/541311632_1450938213181487_6899604982739093011_n-1-1.jpg) Banners in Assyrian welcoming the patriarch adorning a church building in Turabdin. Photo: Assyria TV The significance of the visit is evident to Assyrians following the patriarch as he tours the region. "It feels like a historical event", an Assyrian who alternates between living in Germany and Turabdin noted, adding: "One has to keep in mind that this part of the homeland was considered pretty much beyond recovery only two decades ago, but today our community is thriving and the visit of the patriarch and the warm welcome he has received from officials feels assuring as it shows a new mentality of openness and tolerance, the man said to The Assyria Post. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/Turabdin.png) ### A region with a troubled history Tur Abdin, located in south-eastern Turkey near the borders with Syria and Iraq, is the spiritual and cultural centre of Assyrians belonging to the Syriac Orthodox Church. Some of its churches and monasteries date back to the 3rd or 4th century AD. Before the Assyrian genocide, known as Seyfo, around 1900, it is said that there were more than 200,000 Syriac Orthodox Assyrians in Turabdin. By the 1960s, this figure had fallen to around 75,000\. However, when the military conflict between the Kurdish PKK and the Turkish military broke out in the mid-1980s, this figure fell further. By mid-1997, only around 2,600 Assyrians remained in Tur Abdin. Today, it is estimated that around 5,000 Assyrians live permanently in the region. From spring to autumn, Turabdin is visited by large numbers of Assyrians from the diaspora, which doubles the Assyrian population to some 10,000 during the warmer months. Although there has been a significant improvement in the security situation in recent years, the indigenous Assyrians in Turabdin are still under pressure from local Kurdish tribes who occupy Assyrian lands. A murder of an Assyrian village elder in 2023 by local Kurds fearing the loss of lands they had acquired illegally, spread fear among the community. The swift intervention and apprehension of the perpetrators by Turkish authorities reassured the community and stood in stark contrast to the neglect in earlier decades when the murder of Assyrians went mostly unpunished. ### Assyrian American National Federation elects Alan Mooshekh as new president URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-american-national-federation-elects-alan-mooshekh-as-new-president/ Last updated: 2025-09-02T19:34:47.000Z Alan Mooshekh, an Arizona-based lawyer, has been elected the new president of the Assyrian American National Federation (AANF) during the organization’s annual meeting on September 1. Born in Turlock, California – a city known for its vibrant Assyrian community –Mooshekh later moved to Arizona to pursue studies in business and law at Arizona State University. Reflecting on his early life, he told AGN-TV in a recent interview:*“I was raised in Turlock which is full of Assyrians. I remember joining the Assyrian New Year parades as a young boy, so being a proud Assyrian came naturally.”* While in Arizona, Mooshekh became active in the Assyrian American Cultural Organization, an involvement that eventually opened the door to national-level engagement with the AANF. His work and dedication within the community have now culminated in his election as head of the federation. In 2022, Mooshekh traveled to Assyria with the organization Gishru, where he gained a deeper understanding of the challenges facing Assyrians in the ancestral homeland. *“It was a wonderful experience to meet Assyrians living in the homeland,”* he said. *“But it was also disappointing and frustrating to see the lack of economic opportunities they have to improve their lives.”* As president, Mooshekh is expected to continue strengthening the role of the AANF in advocating for Assyrians in the United States while fostering ties with the global Assyrian community. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/543182306_1226018909562502_8206087130128843329_n-1.jpg) The newly elected AANF board from left to right: Chief of Staff: Dr. Zeena Tawfik-Hawi, Executive Secretary: Ashureina Abraham, President: Alan Mooshekh, Vice-President: Billy Haido, Treasurer: Carolyn Odisho. Photo: AANF The Assyrian National Federation of America, known today as the Assyrian American National Federation (AANF), was established in 1933\. Its founding was prompted by the Simele Massacre, in which thousands of Assyrian civilians were killed in northern Iraq by the Iraqi army. The organization's roots trace back to a National Emergency Committee, which convened a general meeting on October 19, 1933, in West New York, New Jersey, followed by a General Convention on November 19, 1933, in New Britain, Connecticut – where its constitution and bylaws were adopted and its first president was elected. Today it has 28 affiliated organizations in different states across the U.S. ### Iraq's electoral commission accused of moves to block Assyrian representation URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/iraqs-electoral-commission-accused-of-moves-to-block-assyrian-representation/ Last updated: 2025-09-01T20:41:07.000Z The Board of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) is preparing to bar parties and political forces representing Assyrians from nominating replacement candidates for quota seats, the Secretary-General of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), Yaqoob Gorgees Yaqo, has warned. The Assyrian leader voiced concerns in a public statement following recent IHEC decisions disqualifying several candidates running for the quota seats reserved for Assyrians in Iraq’s national parliament, and seemingly not allowing replacements candidates to be registered. “This stands in clear contradiction to the Board of Commissioners’ Decision No. 8, Special Session Meeting Minutes (46), dated 19 August 2025, which in its first clause explicitly states: ‘Allowing alliances and political parties to replace their candidates in accordance with the decisions of the Board of Commissioners within three days from the date of publishing the decision on the official website of the Commission,’” Yaqo said in the [statement](https://zowaa.org/statement-issued-by-the-secretary-general-of-the-assyrian-democratic-movement-zowaa-on-the-upcoming-iraqi-federal-parliamentary-elections/?ref=assyriapost.com). While the commission claims the barred candidates failed to meet eligibility requirements, many Assyrians suspect that the real motive is political and driven by the Iran-aligned Babylon Brigades militia and its Assyrian leader, Rayan al-Kildani. ### A warlord vying for more influence Quota seats were originally designed to guarantee Assyrian representation in provincial councils as well as federal and regional parliaments. However, under Iraqi election law, anyone – Assyrian or not – may cast their vote for these seats. This loophole has allowed Kurdish political parties, and most recently Iranian-affiliated parties to hijack the system by mobilizing Shia Arab voters behind the Babiliyoun Movement. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/09/Rayan_al_Kildani.png) Rayan Al Kaldani. This strategy was on full display in Iraq’s 2024 provincial elections, where all four allocated Assyrian seats were won by U.S.-sanctioned militia leader and human rights abuser Rayan al-Kildani. The victories were orchestrated through the Babylon Movement, the political arm of Kataib Babiliyoun (KB), also known as the 50th Brigade of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). In the lead-up to Iraq’s 2025 parliamentary elections, al-Kildani appears set to repeat the tactics that enabled him to dominate the Assyrian quota seats in both the 2021 parliamentary and 2023 provincial elections. The 2021 vote saw the Babylon Movement secure four of the five parliamentary seats reserved for Assyrians, a result marred by allegations of electoral manipulation. Al-Kildani’s success was largely fueled by non-Assyrian votes, delivered through his alliances with Shia militias and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This influx of outside voters sidelined genuine Assyrian political representation – and, critics warn, is poised to happen again. ### Assyrian activists criticize U.S. Consulate in Erbil over omission of Assyrian identity in site visit URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-activists-criticize-u-s-consulate-in-erbil-over-omission-of-assyrian-identity-in-site-visit/ Last updated: 2025-08-30T15:09:16.000Z Assyrian activists and intellectuals criticized the failure of the U.S. Consulate in Erbil to acknowledge the Assyrian identity of historical sites in a recent post on X. Ambassador Steven Fagin, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, recently visited Assyrian historical sites in northern Iraq. The official account of the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil on X (formerly Twitter) shared photos of the visit but did not mention that the sites are Assyrian. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-30-at-09.53.08.png) The omission prompted several Assyrians to react, viewing it as part of a deliberate, long-term strategy of cultural and ethnic erasure of the Assyrian identity of the region, in an effort to rewrite its history in favor of a Kurdish narrative. "If you can't acknowledge these locations as Assyrian, you're better off staying in the consulate in Ankawa," one activist posted on X. Assyrian writer and researcher Frederick Aprim also voiced his criticism, writing: *"Kurdish historians corrupt the real history of the region..."* He added: *"We are sure that foreign officials are aware of the revision and corruption of the history of Assyria (northern Iraq) that is taking place by Kurdish officials."* Assyrian human rights researcher Max J. Joseph further observed: *"When it comes to Assyrians, 'the incredible heritage and rich history of the region' seemingly has no cultural attribution."* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-30-at-10.54.41.png) ### Patriarch's visit to Turabdin marks normalized relations URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/patriarchs-visit-to-turabdin-marks-normalized-relations/ Last updated: 2025-08-29T07:42:06.000Z The head of the Syriac Orthodox Church, Patriarch Aphrem II, began his first official visit to the Turabdin Region in southeastern Turkey on Thursday, 28 August. The Patriarch arrived in Mardin early in the morning to begin his week-long stay until September 5, during which he will be touring the region and its many villages and towns. His first official meeting was with Mardin’s governor, Tuncay Akkoyun, where the Patriarch delivered a speech on the historical presence and role of the Assyrian people in the region and thanked the Turkish government for its support of the churches. He then proceeded to the ancient Mor Hananyo Monastery (Deyrulzafaran), which served as the seat of the Patriarchate for nearly eight centuries. The Patriarch himself hails from a family with roots in the village of Ehwo in the Turabdin Region, one of the remaining villages in the mountainous Izla area still inhabited exclusively by Assyrians to this day. **A sign of geopolitical alignment** The timing of the visit of the Assyrian church leader reveals the changing dynamics in the region. While relations between Bashar al-Assad’s Syria and Turkey were openly hostile, the two countries are now much closer, as the new power holders in Damascus were part of groups supported by Turkey against al-Assad. A visit to Turkey during Assad’s rule would not have been viewed favorably by Damascus, which likely prevented the Patriarch from visiting Turabdin since his consecration in 2014. **The significance of the visit** As Turkish policy toward minorities, and especially Assyrians, began to change around the year 2000, the community has developed significantly. The Turabdin Region is now experiencing a revival, with new investments in the form of businesses and homes by Assyrians. The visit by the Patriarch is likely to have an additional positive effect on the morale of Assyrians in Turkey in general and in Turabdin in particular. It is yet another signal that Assyrians are accepted in Turkey today and that Turabdin, with its deep roots in Assyrian Christianity, both remains and regains its significance as an Assyrian region. ### ### Israeli leader's recognition of Assyrian genocide sparks Turkish reaction URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/israeli-leaders-recognition-of-assyrian-genocide-sparks-turkish-reaction/ Last updated: 2025-08-28T19:00:27.000Z Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recognized the genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire against Assyrians Greeks and Armenians during World War I, in a first for the country. During a podcast interview with Assyrian-born presenter Patrick Bet-David, Netanyahu said, "I think we did. I think the Knesset passed a resolution to that effect," although no such legislation has been passed by Israel's parliament. When asked why no Israeli prime minister has ever recognised the mass killings, Netanyahu replied: "I just did. Here you go." The Turkish Foreign Ministry responded by accusing Netanyahu of trying to “exploit the tragedies in the past for political purposes.” [No: 178, 27 August 2025, Regarding Netanyahu’s Remarks About the Events of 1915 / Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs![](https://www.mfa.gov.tr/site_media/gfx/bg-printhd-en.png)](https://www.mfa.gov.tr/no%5F-178%5F-netanyahu-nun-1915-olaylarina-dair-aciklamasi-hk.en.mfa?ref=assyriapost.com) “Currently on trial for his role in the genocide committed against the Palestinian people, Netanyahu is seeking to cover up the crimes perpetrated by himself and his government,” it said in a statement. “We condemn and reject these remarks which are contrary to the historical and legal facts.” Turkey does not yet recognize the well-documented Assyrian genocide, but the taboo around the extermination of Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians has eroded in recent years in the country. ### Athro Rhimo - a love drama touching upon social topics set for release next year URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/athro-rhimo-a-love-drama-touching-upon-social-topics-set-for-release-next-year/ Last updated: 2025-08-26T06:00:21.000Z Athro Rhimo (Beloved homeland) is the title of the new film currently being recorded in locations in Germany and in the town of Midyat in the Turabdin Region. The screenplay, produced and directed by Berlin-based Assyrian filmmaker Aziz Said, follows his earlier works–such as the genocide documentary *Exodus* and the 2007 film *D’arbo d’Hubo (The Way of Love).* The narrative of Athro rhimo centers on Linora, an Assyrian singer born in Germany, whose world is turned upside down when her husband disappears and her son falls ill. An emotional journey ensues when she returns to Midyat–discovering love, heritage, and healing in the place she once called home The team behind the project have set up a Gofundme campaign to raise funds for the completion of the film, which is expected to be released in 2026\. "This project has already overcome many hurdles. Filming locations, production teams, and actors are all set for shooting in summer 2025\. Currently, we have €70,000 in starting funds. Our goal is to raise €150,000 to fully finance the production", the group writes on [Gofundme](https://www.gofundme.com/f/einen-assyrisch-aramaischen-kinospielfilm-zu-ermoglichen?attribution%5Fid=sl:9c1e5145-83c3-4c97-a01a-3e9c6ee93ebd&lang=de%5FDE&utm%5Fcampaign=fp%5Fsharesheet&utm%5Fmedium=customer&utm%5Fsource=whatsapp). As of writing, the campaign on Gofundme has raised around 3500 Euros. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/88138269_1743091264150694_r.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/88138269_1743091261185465_r.jpeg) Behind-the-scenes photos from the film shoot. Courtesy of Athro Rhimo / Aziz Said ### Assyrian-owned building materials store opens in Mydiat URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-owned-building-materials-store-opens-in-mydiat/ Last updated: 2025-08-30T20:06:18.000Z In a further sign of the accelerating Assyrian economic revival in the Turabdin Region, Isa Kaya Beth Barse, a young man from the village of Mzizah, opened a new building materials store in Midyat earlier this summer. [Sisters open café in MidyatA trio of Assyrian sisters have transformed a lifelong dream into reality by launching Izla Café, a stylish coffee‑house dedicated to reviving the tastes, aromas, and aesthetics of Assyria.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-3.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-18-at-00.40.47.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-sisters-open-izla-cafe-in-midyat/) The store, [**İsa Ticaret**](https://maps.app.goo.gl/CXkCarCLgdkEtfKw6?ref=assyriapost.com), offers a wide range of tools and building materials for home renovations and improvements. It aims to meet the growing demand for construction supplies in a region where many houses are being rebuilt, villages reconstructed, and apartments purchased by Assyrians. [Assyria hotel opens in TurabdinThe Assyria Hotel is the latest addition to the surge of investments by diaspora Assyrians in their homeland.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-4.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Assyria-hotel-1.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyria-hotel-opens-in-turabdin/) ### Assyrian Aid Society launches four projects to boost family resilience URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-aid-society-launches-four-projects-to-boost-family-resilience/ Last updated: 2025-08-30T20:06:56.000Z The Assyrian Aid Society – Iraq has unveiled four new initiatives under its small-loan program. These projects aim to empower families in rural areas by helping them rely on their own resources rather than on external aid, according to AAS-I. The newly launched initiatives include the establishment of a school supplies office in the village of Berozawa, a livestock-raising project (cattle and sheep) in the village of Karamles, establishing a traditional clothing weaving project in the village of Bersifi, near Zakho, to strengthen national identity and preserve cultural heritage and the purchase of a tractor in the village of Armota to support agricultural livelihoods. The four projects were made possible through direct support from the Assyrian Aid Society – America, complemented by reinvested proceeds from previous projects, reports AAI-I. Since launching its livelihoods initiative, the AAS-IS has financed a total of 23 small-scale projects that it says has provided income and financial support for dozens of families and created an ongoing, internally sustained funding mechanism. ### Plans announced for Simele massacre monument URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/plans-announced-for-simele-massacre-monument/ Last updated: 2025-08-21T22:11:21.000Z Nine Assyrian organizations in Iraq have announced a joint plan to erect a monument in the city of Simele to honor the victims of the 1933 massacre of Assyrians. The plan was outlined in a [written statement](https://zowaa.org/statement-to-the-chaldean-syriac-assyrian-public-opinion/?ref=assyriapost.com) issued on August 20. According to the statement, the first step will be a field visit to the land allocated for the monument in Simele by the Nohadra (Duhok) governorate in 2019, in order to survey the site. As a second step, the signatories call on the diaspora to become involved and support the project financially and in other ways. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-22-at-00.04.19-1.png) The signatories, which include the Assyrian Democratic Movement and its affiliated youth, development, and women’s organizations, aim to have the monument completed in time for next year’s Assyrian Martyrs Day on August 7. The Iraqi state has yet to officially recognize the Simele massacre. [Youth organizations honor memory of victims in solemn ceremony in SimeleIn an act of deep veneration, a group of Assyrian youth held a ceremony in Simele on Assyrian Martyrs day.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-2.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-09-at-23.35.57.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-youth-organizations-honor-memory-of-victims-in-solemn-ceremony-in-simele/) ### Assyrian shot dead in gang-related attack in Sydney URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-shot-dead-in-gang-related-attack-in-sydney/ Last updated: 2025-08-21T15:08:05.000Z Gilbert Shino (39) was shot dead outside a Sydney pub on Sunday, 17 August, according to Australian media reports. Shino had been in the company of a known gang member, also of Assyrian origin, who is believed to have been the intended target of the attack. The gang member, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, survived and remains in stable condition, media sources said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-21-at-17.06.10-1.png) Gilbert Shino. Photo: Social Media Shino, a father of two, is reported to have had no criminal background. ### Hüda-Par party representative argues against return of Assyrian church building URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/huda-par-party-representative-argues-against-return-of-assyrian-church-building/ Last updated: 2025-08-20T19:06:36.000Z Şehzade Demir, Secretary General of the Hüda-Par political party and an MP representing Gaziantep, has spoken out against the restitution of the ancient Syriac Catholic Church’s patriarchal seat building in Mardin to the Syriac Catholic Church’s foundation. Demir was [quoted](https://www.mardinlife.com/politika/milletvekili-demir-den-mardin-muzesi-aciklamasi?ref=assyriapost.com) earlier this month in a local newspaper, saying: *“The ‘Mardin Museum Building’ should serve as a museum. Otherwise, the ‘Mardin Spirit,’ the experience of living together in peace, will be compromised and may cause unwanted outrages.”* His remarks, including veiled threats of *“unwanted outrages”*, echo those of other groups opposing a potential decision by President Erdoğan to return the building. In his comments, Demir also invoked historical issues, implying that Syriac Catholics had betrayed the Ottoman state by aligning with European powers:*“Since the century, some of our Orthodox Assyrian citizens have been Catholicized in line with the suggestion and interests of French and German Catholic missionaries,”* he said. [Locals protest possible return of historic church building in MardinRumors of the Turkish president decreeing the return of the Syriac Catholic Church’s patriarchal seat to its owners has stirred emotions among local muslims.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-1.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/pexels-furkanelveren-14159242.jpg)](https://www.assyriapost.com/local-muslims-oppose-restitution-of-assyrian-patriarchal-building-in-mardin/) ### The Kurdish Nature of the Opposition As objections to the return of the Assyrian church building grow louder, it is becoming increasingly evident that most of those opposed to restitution are ethnic Kurds and Kurdish groups leaning toward Islamism, according to Assyrian political commentators. Hüda-Par, short for *Hür Dava Partisi* (“Free Cause Party”), is an Islamist political party in Turkey founded in 2012\. It is widely regarded as the political arm of the Kurdish Hezbollah movement (not related to Lebanon’s Hezbollah), which emerged in the 1980s in southeastern Turkey. The party advocates conservative Islamic values and Kurdish rights, positioning itself as an alternative to both Kurdish nationalist and secular parties. While relatively small, it has gained influence through alliances, including cooperation with President Erdoğan’s AKP in elections. ****Fact-checking** At **The Assyria Post*, we strive to report accurately and fairly. If you spot an error or believe something in this article is incorrect, please let us know. Your feedback helps us improve. ### New cultural center inaugurated in Turabdin URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/new-cultural-center-inaugurated-in-turabdin/ Last updated: 2025-08-20T18:17:53.000Z The village of Arkah (Turkish: Üçköy) held a major celebration on Sunday, 17 August, to mark the official opening of its new cultural hall. The building is designed to serve several community purposes, including functioning as a venue for weddings and parties. It can accommodate several hundred people and is equipped with facilities for preparing and serving food. The hall represents a new chapter for the Assyrian village, which continues to grow and remains the most populous among the Assyrian villages of Turabdin. The opening meets a rising demand for larger community events and gatherings, as Arkah, as well as the neighboring Assyrian villages, experience steady growth, with several recent engagements and marriages taking place. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-20-at-00.57.07-1-1.png) Arkah is located about 27 kilometers south of Midyat, the main town of Turabdin. ### "We must work hand in hand" Arkah is the only village in the Turabdin Region that was never fully deserted during the upheavals of recent history. It also boasts the most active diaspora associations working to help the village prosper again. These Arkah diaspora associations have played a key role in supporting the construction of the new hall. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-19-at-22.50.09-1.png) Robil Gergin d’Beth Cipo, head of the Arkah Association in Germany, speaking during the opening ceremony. Speaking in Assyrian during the inauguration, Robil Gergin d’Beth Cipo, head of the Arkah Association in Germany, said: *“It’s thanks to the brave souls who never left, who stayed and kept this place alive. It’s thanks to them that we are here today.”* His words honored the enduring spirit of those who remained in Arkah despite the challenges of the PKK–Turkey war and other hardships. He added: *“We have to work hand in hand as a nation to safeguard our history, our heritage, our land, and our villages, in order to once again live in our homeland.”* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-19-at-22.16.18.png) A screenshot from the inauguration festivities with the new cultural center in the background. ### Ankawa’s growing grape festival showcases Assyrian heritage URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ankawas-growing-grape-festival-showcases-assyrian-heritage/ Last updated: 2025-08-15T20:35:10.000Z What started as a small initiative three years ago has grown into a full three-day festival that is attracting more visitors and greater appreciation each year. Held at the farm of Assyrian farmer Salwan Saka, the festival — held on 11–12 August — featured both local and international varieties of grapes, along with locally made grape products such as vinegar, wine, and raisins. "At the beginning we had seven varieties; today I have around 60 varieties, and here at the festival we have 37," he said, speaking to the Nineveh News Network. The 37 types of grapes on display were a mix of local Assyrian varieties as well as American, Greek, and Italian varieties, all produced by Saka’s farm in Ankawa. Grapes and wine are deeply intertwined in Assyrian culture, both in ancient pre-Christian times and in Assyrian Christianity, where motifs of grapevines often adorn Assyrian manuscripts and church altars, and are referenced in hymns and homilies. ### Playground honors beloved villager in Turabdin – marking a rare example of memorial philanthropy URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/memorial-playground-honors-beloved-villager-in-turabdin/ Last updated: 2025-08-11T20:03:35.000Z A children's playground was recently opened in the village of Arkah in the Turabdin Region. While not the first such playground in the Assyrian villages of the region, this one stands out in a particular way. The entire cost of the playground was donated by the family of a deceased man from the village in his memory. The Stayfo d’Beth Hijo Park, named after the late Stayfo d’Beth Hijo, also features a memorial monument with his image and name. The park includes a variety of playground equipment for children, a fountain providing clean drinking water, and comfortable seating benches for visitors to rest. This playground was donated to the village by his family in memory of Stayfo d’Beth Hijo, who passed away one year ago and was a well-known and beloved member of the community who was living in Giessen, Germany. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-10-at-18.31.16-1-1.png) Stayfo d’Beth Hijo **A new form of Assyrian philanthropy?** The playground is a rare example of memorial philanthropy among Assyrians. Memorial philanthropy involves donating to a charitable cause in memory of a deceased person — a way to honor their life and legacy while supporting something they cared about. Often, families or friends establish memorial funds or designated giving programs to facilitate this type of philanthropy. While donations to Assyrian aid organizations remain limited, this form of philanthropy could fill an important niche, meeting more of the needs of Assyrian villages while also honoring deceased individuals from the community. The potential is significant, as each Assyrian village today has thousands of people from its diaspora living abroad. ### National German radio puts spotlight on local self-governance in Assyria URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/national-german-radio-puts-spotlight-on-assyrian-self-governance-in-assyria/ Last updated: 2025-08-11T21:50:22.000Z Deutschlandfunk (DLF), one of Germany’s three national public radio networks operated by Deutschlandradio, is recognized as a major player in terms of reach and influence. On July 22, DLF aired a [nine-minute segment](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/assyrische-christen-traum-vom-selbstverwaltetem-gebiet-100.html?ref=assyriapost.com) in its religion magazine *Tag für Tag* addressing the urgent need for self-governance for Assyrians in Assyria to safeguard their language, culture, and identity. The reportage, titled *"Assyrische Christen – Traum vom selbstverwaltetem Gebiet"* (Assyrian Christians – Dream of a Self-Administered Region), provided a brief historical overview of the challenges faced by the Assyrian people, including the Seyfo genocide. It also covered the ongoing efforts to establish an Assyrian administration in the Nineveh Plain Region of northern Iraq. Among those interviewed was Charlie Kanoun, a well-known German-Assyrian activist residing in Saarland, southwestern Germany. “It’s necessary so that we as a nation can live together in one place, preserve our language and culture, and secure our way of life,” Kanoun said during the program. ### Youth organizations honor memory of victims in solemn ceremony in Simele URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-youth-organizations-honor-memory-of-victims-in-solemn-ceremony-in-simele/ Last updated: 2025-08-11T21:50:37.000Z A delegation from the Hamurabi Scouts Association and the Chaldo-Assyrian Student Union commemorated Assyrian Martyrs Day and the 92nd anniversary of the Simele Massacre in the town of Simele itself. The delegation traveled from Nohadra (Dohuk) on Assyrian Martyrs Day, 7 August, to mark the anniversary of the massacre. The mass killing became known as the Simele Massacre as the town witnessed some of the most intense and horrific killings of Assyrian men, women, and children. The youth group attended a special mass held in the Martyrs' Church in Simele, after which the delegation visited one of the martyrs' resting places in the town. They laid wreaths in honor of the innocent Assyrians who fell victim to the atrocity. The Iraqi government has never formally recognized the Simele Massacre, despite clear documentation of the atrocity as a state-perpetrated campaign that killed thousands of Assyrians across more than 100 villages in northern Iraq. In 2020, several Assyrian NGOs called for the massacre’s recognition, urging the government to fulfill its historical and moral duties. The organizations also demanded the protection of massacre sites, site preservation, forensic investigation, memorialization, reparations, and inclusion of the massacre in the Iraqi constitution. None of their requests has been met, or even discussed by the Iraqi state. Due to the lack of acknowledgment, there is still no formal memorial site or monument in Simele to this day. ### Zalge TV: the latest addition to Assyrian broadcasting URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/zalge-tv-the-latest-addition-to-assyrian-broadcasting/ Last updated: 2025-08-09T21:21:51.000Z Earlier this year, a new Assyrian online TV station began airing programs. On its social media channels, Zalge TV is described as “an Assyrian media platform dedicated to political, cultural, and linguistic issues of the Assyrians, presenting current events and contemporary topics in a distinctive and impactful way.” Little else is shared about the new broadcaster, which appears to not even have a homepage but instead relies entirely on its social media outreach. The programs are shared on several major platforms, such as YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. While there is no official information on who is behind Zalge TV, the appearance of certain personalities in its programs and its regional focus on the Gozarto Region (Northeast Syria) make it apparent that it is most likely connected to the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO). A majority of the persons appearing in its programs since its launch in January 2025, whether as hosts or guests, are well-known figures in the ADO, and some programs about the ADO, such as [this one](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwM3mV%5FIUOY&ref=assyriapost.com), are produced in collaboration with the ADO Youth, according to the program information. The ADO has not officially acknowledged the affiliation of Zalge TV and there is no mention of it on its [official website](https://ado-world.com/?ref=assyriapost.com). With the establishment of Zalge TV, the ADO has followed in the footsteps of a number of other Assyrian political groups that have created TV platforms to reach more people and amplify their voice. The ADO is the oldest Assyrian political group in Syria, established in 1957, and maintains its position as the main Assyrian group safeguarding the interests of the Assyrians of Syria. Since its founding, a number of its leaders have been imprisoned and tortured by Syrian regimes for defending the rights of Assyrians. “Zalge” means “rays” in Assyrian, as in "rays of light". ### Assyrians mark 92 years since pivotal massacre URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrians-mark-92-years-since-pivotal-massacre/ Last updated: 2025-08-08T20:04:03.000Z The massacre took place from August 7 to 11, 1933, with its epicenter in the town of Simele and over sixty surrounding villages in Nohadra (Duhok) and Mosul provinces, following political tensions between the Hashemite monarchy and Assyrian leaders who were calling for international guarantees to protect their ethnic rights to govern themselves. Led by Kurdish general Bakr Sidqi, the royal Iraqi army launched a military campaign that resulted in the killing of more than 600 civilians in Simele alone. The Iraqi Army systematically targeted the indigenous Assyrian population in northern Iraq, massacring the inhabitants of more than one hundred Assyrian villages across modern-day Nohadra and Mosul. As many as 6,000 innocent Assyrians were killed, and tens of thousands more were externally-displaced. Eyewitness reports from the time described mass executions, the burning of homes, rape, and widespread violence. Each year, Iraqi and Kurdish leaders pay lip service to to the memory of the victims while the survivors are increasingly and intentionally being disposessed through land theft and a myriad of subtle policies intended to drive the remaining Assyrians from their land. Despite conclusive evidence documenting this crime, the Iraqi Government has never recognized this state-sanctioned massacre. Assyrians worldwide recognize the anniversary of the Simele Massacre annually as Assyrian Martyrs Day on August 7. ### Locals protest possible return of historic church building in Mardin URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/local-muslims-oppose-restitution-of-assyrian-patriarchal-building-in-mardin/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T07:29:56.000Z The news of a potential decree by Turkish President Erdogan to hand back the premises of the Syriac Catholic Church in Mardin to the Syriac Church Foundation has raised eyebrows and sparked protests by several organizations in Mardin. In a public protest on 2 August, members of different organizations gathered in front of the building to denounce the declared intention of President Erdogan, threatening that such a decision would cause "serious and great social unrest, resentment and unwanted socio-political consequences." "The existing court rulings on the Mardin Museum Building, which has been registered as belonging to the public by the Local Court, the Court of Cassation and the Constitutional Court, stating that the request of the Syriac Catholic Foundation is unfounded and illegal, is correct and accurate," said Necmettin Başboğa, the spokesman representing the dissenting organizations, adding that: "As professional organizations, chamber presidents, associations, foundations and Non-Governmental Organizations serving in Mardin and selected neighborhood headmen; We call on all relevant and authorized persons and institutions, especially our President, and we expect them to listen to our voice." According to both Turkish and Assyrian media sources, the declared intention of President Erdogan to restore the building to the Assyrian Catholic Foundation came about when the President held a meeting with different local representatives in Mardin. In that meeting, representatives of the Assyrian Catholic community presented the case to Erdogan and pleaded with him to issue a decree to return the building, a suggestion he is reported to have accepted and is widely expected to make, guided by the principle that the building should go back to its original owners. **A troubled history** The Syriac Catholic Church was first established in 1773 in Mardin when members of the Syriac Orthodox Church chose to follow the pope in Rome. One hundred years later, the Assyrian Catholic community had gained enough strength to embark on the monumental project of building a seat for their patriarchate. Finished in 1895, the magnificent limestone building sits in the very center of Mardin. It functioned as the seat of the Catholic patriarchate for only 19 years before it was declared as so-called abandoned property and subsequently confiscated by the Turkish state in 1914, as the Assyrian community in Mardin had either perished in the Assyrian genocide Seyfo, been deported, or fled. Since then, it has been used as a military garrison, a post office, headquarters for a Turkish Islamist party, and a storehouse for the Vali (governor), before it was finally turned into a museum of history. The Assyrian Catholics, however, never gave up their hopes of returning it to their church foundation. **Questionable motives** The groups opposing the awaited restitution use different arguments. One of the arguments used is that the Assyrian Catholics back then had sought protection and the aid of France, implying indirectly that they were traitors and that the state did the right thing in confiscating the building. They also claim that the building is too important and prominent to be returned to a non-existing community and that it has come to constitute the very identity of Mardin. The protesters claim further that few Catholic Assyrians live in Mardin today, pointing out that two existing Assyrian Catholic churches in the city, the Meryemana Church and the Mor Efrem Church, mostly stand empty and that Sunday prayer is not held in them because there is no community. Assyrian commentators, on the other hand, describe many of the figures and groups behind the protest as Muslim fascists hiding their real motivation for opposing the restitution behind words of 'culture and preservation', while in reality they despise seeing Christians reclaiming their heritage and space in an area they were mostly eradicated from more than one hundred years ago. ### 11 years since ISIS invaded the Nineveh Plain Region URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/11-years-since-isis-invaded-the-nineveh-plain-region/ Last updated: 2025-08-06T14:58:48.000Z The largest Assyrian city in Iraq, Baghdede, in the Al-Hamdaniya District, was captured by ISIS on August 6, 2014\. Because the community was already aware of the horrific crimes in Sinjar and Mosul just days earlier, most of the 60,000 residents fled to Assyrian communities further north. By the time Baghdede was liberated on October 19, 2016, with $135 million in damages, churches and homes destroyed, 40% of Assyrian residents had already emigrated abroad or had decided to stay in Assyrian communities in Northern Iraq. In total, about 120,000 Assyrians are estimated to have fled the Nineveh Plain region that night out of fear of slaughter. Among them were Assyrians who had fled Mosul just a few weeks earlier. The Assyrians' flight from Daesh militants had began already in June 2014, when the so-called Islamic State succeeded in capturing Mosul. At the beginning of that summer, at least 1,200 Assyrian families lived in Mosul alone. ### Unstable situation The current situation in the Nineveh Plain Region (NPR) is both positive and negative. ISIS never accomplished their ultimate goal of complete ethnic cleansing and Assyrians have come back to rebuild their homes and towns in the Nineveh Plain Region in significant numbers. Eleven years after the islamic onslaught, Baghdede, as well as most of the Nineveh Plain Region shows clear signs of life and normalcy. Problems persist however in this contested region as different actors work to undermine the will of the local population. On one hand, Shia-elements aligned with Iran are working to increase their political and military control of the NPR, while the dominant Kurdish KDP party continues its claims on a region with almost no Kurds, buying influence and continuing its military presence in the regions' northern towns like Alqosh. ### Her medical invention is valued at hundreds of millions URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/her-medical-invention-is-valued-at-hundreds-of-of-millions/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T07:32:54.000Z The Gothenburg-based urologist and surgeon Miden Melle-Hannah, 46, became a medical technology entrepreneur a few years ago when the tools she used at work were not as effective as she wanted. The single-use tool developed by her and her company, Multi4 Medical, reaches the bladder by being inserted through a working channel in an endoscope—a narrow tube with a camera—and treats bladder cancer in just a few minutes. ### **Validated potential** Her invention has passed the critical test and validation phase of a human clinical trial. A recent independent clinical study with Multi4 was completed on 18 cancer patients at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg. All were treated in a matter of minutes in an outpatient setting, meaning not in a sterile hospital operating room. There were no side effects, and all could go home immediately afterward, according to the company. At the end of June this year, the company received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to commercialize its product in the U.S. The potential for her invention is enormous. In a recent interview with one of Sweden's leading newspapers, Miden Melle-Hannah explained: – Bladder cancer is the most expensive of all cancers, about $96,000–187,000 per patient due to the high recurrence risk, so the market is worth many billions,” she said, adding: “We are the first in the world with a completely new and globally patented technology to automatically, by pressing a button, remove cancer tissue from the body in just a few minutes, on a conscious patient who can go home immediately afterward.” The new technology could also be used for other types of cancers, for which additional patents have been filed by the company. ### **A valuation in the hundreds of millions** Multi4 is still a privately held company, but several well-established Swedish investors have already invested, bringing in significant capital for further development and commercialization. Miden Melle-Hannah still owns the majority of the company, with 53% of the shares. The latest valuation of the company, made in 2023 before the innovation had been tested on humans, put the worth of Multi4 at 350 million SEK (approximately 35 million USD). With the successful in-human clinical study and FDA approval, that valuation is now significantly higher. Her rise has been acknowledged in the Swedish medical industry. Earlier this year, she was awarded in New York for her groundbreaking work. The recognition, awarded by the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce as part of the 2025 Nordic Acceleration Program, highlights Dr. Hanna’s dedication to advancing cancer care and improving treatment accessibility. ### **Assyrian family** Miden was raised in the town of Jönköping, Sweden, which has a sizable Assyrian community. She is the daughter of author Anna Melle, a well-known figure in the Swedish-Assyrian community, and both Miden and her mother have been involved in the community over the years. Miden was named after her parents’ Assyrian home village before they fled to Sweden in the mid-1970s. The village of Miden is located in the Turabdin region, today part of southeastern Turkey, but historically a northern region of the traditional territory of Assyria. ### Assyrian Party accuses Kurdish leader of neglect and injustice in open letter URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/a/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T07:29:20.000Z Published on July 28, the [letter](https://zowaa.org/an-open-letter-to-mr-masrour-barzani-prime-minister-of-the-kurdistan-regional-government-of-iraq/?ref=assyriapost.com) from ADM’s Secretary-General, Yacoob Gorgis, states that the worsening situation has "reached an unacceptable point" and that "remaining silent is no longer a viable option." Gorgis expresses disappointment that Masrour Barzani’s cabinet has failed to address long-standing Assyrian grievances—just like its predecessors. ### Lack of Enforcement of Court Rulings on Assyrian Lands The core criticism in the letter focuses on Assyrian-owned lands in several villages that have been illegally occupied by Kurds and not returned, despite court rulings in favor of the original owners. "Numerous court decisions have been made in favor of our people—particularly concerning villages in Nahla, Hezajut, Zakho, Sarsing, and Upper Barwar—yet the government has demonstrated no intention of implementing them. Gorgis suggests this reluctance is due to the involvement of powerful individuals tied to the ruling party. He asks rhetorically: "In such a situation, where can our people turn for justice, if even court rulings are ignored?" The letter is accompanied by copies of court rulings related to the land cases mentioned. ### The undermining of Ankawa Gorgis also highlights the situation in Ankawa, a predominantly Assyrian district of Erbil, where recent protests by the residents have erupted over ongoing encroachments. "The transformation of Ankawa—following the theft and unlawful seizure of its lands—into a center for questionable activities, facilitated by certain authorities, raises serious concerns about the true intentions behind these actions..." He questions whether the government sees Ankawa residents as second-class citizens and accuses the ruling party of exploiting its power to dominate and surveil the district. ### Second-class citizens Contrary to the KRG’s touted public image of coexistence and equality, Gorgis argues that Assyrians are subjected to second-class treatment and humiliation: "What is being perpetrated under your rule against our people in both Erbil and Duhok is not only unjust—it is deeply humiliating and degrading." Gorgis says further that hate speech against Assyrians is on the rise in the region with the authorities being indifferent. "Our people are not leaving because of fear or threats to their physical safety, but because justice is absent and confidence in the government and its institutions has been profoundly shaken. This has created a climate of uncertainty, with the future appearing increasingly bleak and unreliable." ### A calculated move or a desperate call? The letter and its tone represent a rare instance of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM) openly criticizing the Kurdish leadership in such a direct manner. As the Assyrian political group with arguably the broadest popular support, ADM has long maintained a diplomatic approach, seemingly keen to avoid antagonizing the ruling Kurdish party, the KDP. The Assyrian Democratic Movement has previously kept a low profile even as the Kurdish KDP party has worked—more or less openly—to undermine it by favoring and supporting rival Assyrian groups aligned with it, and by capturing the Assyrian parliamentary minority quota seats in the regional parliament through strategic voting practices with the aid of aligned groups. Several factors may help explain ADM’s departure from its previously cautious tone. One general reason could be the growing strength of the central government in Baghdad, contrasted with the KRG's increasing political and economic decline. The KRG stands to lose a significant portion of its revenues, has become increasingly dependent on Baghdad for the payment of public sector salaries, and is likely to forfeit its ambitions of developing an independent oil industry and export infrastructure. These macro-developments may have emboldened ADM to adopt a bolder stance. Another possible explanation is that ADM’s leadership has concluded there is nothing left to lose. While the party was previously careful not to jeopardize the already fragile presence of Assyrians in the region, it may now believe the situation has deteriorated to a point where continued caution offers no hope of survival for the community—an argument explicitly stated in the letter. The recent grassroots protests held by residents of Ankawa may also have played a role. These demonstrations may have prompted ADM to act out of concern that its traditional role as the protector of Assyrians is being challenged or eroded by such independent civic efforts. Yet another factor that may help explain the decision to publish the open letter is the upcoming Iraqi national elections scheduled for early November this year. The Assyrian Democratic Movement lost its minority parliamentary seats in the October 2021 Iraqi parliamentary elections, when the quota seats allocated to Assyrians were effectively captured by the Babylon Movement, which drew its support largely from Shia Arab voters rather than the Assyrian electorate. As a result, ADM lost its federal parliamentary representation for the first time since its previously consistent presence. The letter could thus be seen as an effort by ADM to reposition itself as the de facto political actor representing the interests of Assyrians in Iraq. As of the time of publication, Masrour Barzani has not responded to the open letter. ### University of Mosul announces Assyrian language department URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/mo/ Last updated: 2025-08-08T14:51:24.000Z The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Iraq has officially approved the establishment of an Assyrian Language Department at the University of Mosul. The announcement, issued on July 26, 2025, affirms the inclusion of Assyrian into the university’s academic offerings starting this academic year. The move comes less than a year after the university hosted a seminar titled *“Assyrian Language and Its Role in Achieving Sustainable Development”* in November 2024\. That event drew scholars, students, and faculty into discussions on the Assyrian language’s role in preserving heritage, advancing education, and supporting broader human rights goals. Meanwhile, the number of remaining Assyrians in Mosul is almost down to zero more than a decade after ISIS took over the city and gave its Assyrian inhabitants the choice to either convert to Islam or leave. Earlier this month, Nohadra (Dohuk) University also announced the launch of an Assyrian Language Department, in collaboration with Spain’s University of Salamanca, offering a joint degree program in the Eastern Assyrian dialect. ### Turabdin monastery added to list of wine destinations URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyria/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T07:33:32.000Z **Iter Vitis – Cultural Route of the Council of Europe** has [announced](https://itervitis.eu/deyrulzafaran-monastery-joins-iter-vitis-as-an-honorary-member-celebrating-the-spiritual-cultural-and-viticultural-heritage-of-mesopotamia/?ref=assyriapost.com) that the **Deyro d'Kurkmo Monastery** (Also known as Deyrulzafaran)– one of the oldest and most significant Assyrian Orthodox monastic complexes in the world – has become an honorary member of the network. ### **A Spiritual and Cultural Beacon Since the 4th Century** Located near Mardin, in the Assyrian Turabdin region, the Deyro d'Kurkmo Monastery was founded as a chapel in the 4th century and evolved into a full complex by 505 AD. From the 13th century until 1932, it served as the Patriarchal See of the Syriac Orthodox Church, one of two main branches of Assyrian christianity. The monastery remains a center for Assyrian culture, with liturgical instruction and services continuing in Assyrian. ### **Vineyards, Olives & Sacred Tradition** Perched over 1,000 m above the Mesopotamian plain, the monastery combines spiritual retreat with agricultural heritage. Its vineyards and olive groves –cultivated for centuries – use local grape varieties unique to this part of the historical Assyrian homeland. These grapes yield wines for Eucharist, baptism, and ceremonies, while olive oil supports liturgical rituals. Stone carvings of grapes and olives appear throughout the architecture, underscoring their sacred symbolism. ### **Ancient Assyrian Winemaking** Winemaking at Deyrulzafaran dates to early Christianity and is tied to regional religious life. Techniques using stone basins and handcrafted fermentation were preserved in the monastery’s cool cellars. Today, these vineyards are part of a broader effort to protect agricultural biodiversity. Historical and biblical texts—even referencing Ezekiel—name wine from this region as highly esteemed in antiquity, and archaeological records show that **King Ashurnasirpal II of Assyria (9th century BCE)** used wines from this area in his palace. ### **From Recognition to Cultural Tourism** Now part of the Iter Vitis family, Deyro d'Kurkmo will participate in international exhibitions, academic exchanges on heritage viticulture, and interfaith symposiums – including one in Rome in 2025 examining wine symbolism in world religions. This step also enhances tourism routes that weave together spirituality, history, and agriculture. ### **A Living Legacy of Heritage** The monastery's inclusion in the European heritage network extends beyond honoring its past – it signals global recognition of Assyrian contributions to wine culture, spiritual memory, and multicultural dialogue. As cultural routes are broadened from European vineyards to the ancient soils of Assyria and Mesopotamia, the affirmation that wine is more than a drink – it’s a shared language, a ritual, and a story carried across time. ### Assyria hotel opens in Turabdin URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyria-hotel-opens-in-turabdin/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T07:33:02.000Z Behind the splendid new hotel in the heart of Midyat is Semir Sumer, an Assyrian from the large and increasingly affluent Assyrian European diaspora. After two years of construction, the hotel is now open for business. In an [interview](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3210080095797478&rdid=3lzty46Dcgdzzpus), he speaks of his happiness to contribute to the Assyrian presence in the Assyrian homeland and his desire to welcome many Assyrian guests to the hotel. The young receptionist, a Yazidi lady, extends her invitation in Assyrian: *"Bsheino l'Mydiat u Turabdin."* While located in the center of Midyat, the hotel remains close to the old town, with many Assyrian churches visible from its rooftop. The hotel offers all common amenities, including wifi and air-conditioning in every room. [Assyria Hotel](https://www.assyriahotel.com/?ref=assyriapost.com) is one of the latest business endeavors by Assyrians in Tur Abdin, following years of similar investments in the hospitality sector, including wineries, cafés, restaurants, and hotels. ### Relief of King Ashurbanipal uncovered in Nineveh URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/relief-of-king-ashurbanipal-uncovered-in-nineveh/ Last updated: 2025-08-22T22:33:07.000Z Archaeologists from Heidelberg University have **uncovered a monumental stone relief** depicting **King Ashurbanipal** in the North Palace at ancient **Nineveh** (modern-day Mosul), [reports](https://phys.org/news/2025-05-archaeologists-uncover-monumental-relief-king.html?ref=assyriapost.com#google%5Fvignette) phys.org. Carved on an enormous slab measuring approximately**5.5 m by 3 m** and weighing around **12 tons**, the relief uniquely portrays the king flanked by two supreme deities—**Ashur** and **Ishtar**—alongside protective figures like a fish-god and possibly a scorpion-man. This fresco adorned a niche opposite the throne room entrance, highlighting its ceremonial importance. Remarkably, fragments were excavated from a Hellenistic-period pit–likely buried accidentally or deliberately to conceal them. Findings will be restored in situ, with plans for public display, marking a significant addition to surviving Assyrian royal iconography. Scholars are now examining its artistic and cultural implications in detail. ### Sisters open  café in Midyat URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-sisters-open-izla-cafe-in-midyat/ Last updated: 2025-08-17T22:49:09.000Z Sisters Mariam, Songul, and Nahrin, all natives of Midyat, spent months renovating a stone storefront in the old market quarter and have filled it with silver‑filigree lamps, hand‑loomed table runners, and a menu inspired by recipes handed down by their grandmother. Their small coffeeshop, named Izla Café, is the latest addition to an ongoing trend where Assyrian owned shops and businesses are established in what can only be described as an Assyrian revival in the region. The grand opening drew local clergy, artisans, and curious travellers eager to sample *kehwa qahwa* (cardamom coffee), *bishi* fritters, homemade pistachio ice‑cream, and seasonal *dkeshath* (stuffed vine leaves) prepared in the sisters’ own kitchen. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-18-at-00.43.07-1.png) The coffeeshop from the outside ### Part of a wider cultural revival The opening of Izla Café follows a trend that began in early 2000's and that has seen a gradual revival of the Assyrian identity of Turabdin. Although Turabdin (“Mountain of the Servants of God”) lost most of its Assyrian population during the last century due to genocide and oppression, a modest reverse migration has taken place. In nearby villages **Kafro** and **Arkah**, families who spent decades in Europe have returned to open restaurants, guesthouses, and silver workshops, hoping to rebuild a viable local economy while safeguarding their identity. ### Assyrian man killed in Syria after refusing to pay extortion URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-man-killed-in-syria/ Last updated: 2025-08-17T22:28:51.000Z Ishoh was shot and killed by masked gunmen outside his home in the al-Mahatta neighborhood in the city of Homs. According to multiple sources, Ishoh, a father of two, had refused to pay extortion money to an armed gang, which is believed to have led to his murder. He was shot in the head before the attackers fled the scene. Neighbors rushed him to University Hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. At the time of the attack, Ishoh was home alone. His wife–originally from the Rûm village of al-Qalatia in Wadi al-Nasara (Valley of the Christians)–and their son were away from town. The killing comes in the wake of the bombing of the Mar Elias Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church in Damascus, which left dozens dead and injured. ### Assyrian MP condemns monument over genocide architect URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/assyrian-mp-condemns-monument-over-genocide-architect/ Last updated: 2025-08-19T21:40:09.000Z The unveiling of a monument honouring Talat Pasha in Turkey, regarded as the chief architect of the Assyrian, Armenian and Greek genocides, drew sharp condemnation from Assyrian MP George Arjo (Aslan) of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party. On 18 June, Aslan addressed Turkey’s Grand National Assembly, criticising the inauguration of a monument in Ankara’s Altındağ district by Mayor Mansur Yavaş on Talat Paşa Boulevard. Talat, who served as Interior Minister during World War I and later as Grand Vizier, is widely seen as a key architect of the campaign of genocide that saw millions of Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians killed and uprooted. “As we wait for a sincere reckoning with the genocide against Christian peoples in 1915, we see perpetrators honoured with street names, parks, schools–and now monuments,” Aslan said. Referring to the Ankara monument, he argued it should honour victims, not “the man who signed their death warrants.” He recalled Talat’s vow in 1912 to destroy the Armenians, and noted his role in the massacre of Assyrians in Omid (Diyarbakır), where Governor Reşit oversaw executions in the courtyard of the Meryem Ana Church. George Aryo (Aslan) condemning the Talat Pasha monument in the Turkish parliament. “Now in 2025, we still see the same mentality,” Aslan concluded. “Confronting the past means remembering its pain and preventing its repetition. Monuments must be built for the victims of the 1915 genocide, not for those who carried it out.” George Aslan, an Assyrian born in the Turabdin region who lived in the Netherlands for several decades before returning to Turkey, has become a controversial figure in the Turkish parliament for raising Assyrian and other minority issues considered sensitive in Turkish society, including delivering a greeting in Assyrian from the parliamentary podium. ### Swedish town with large Assyrian community votes to erect a genocide monument URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/swedish-town-with-large-assyrian-community-votes-to-erect-a-genocide-monument/ Last updated: 2025-08-17T22:01:43.000Z The municipality of Södertälje, just south of Stockholm and known for its large Assyrian community, voted on 16 June to erect a monument honoring the victims of the Assyrian Genocide, Seyfo. The unanimous decision was welcomed by Assyrian representatives who have been lobbying for years to see a public monument established. While not the first Assyrian genocide monument in Sweden, it will be the first to be erected on public land and financed with public funds. The monument is expected to be completed next year. Around half of the municipality’s 102,000 inhabitants are estimated to be of Assyrian origin, making Södertälje home to one of the largest Assyrian diaspora communities in the world. ### Ancient Assyrian monastery opens up as museum after restoration URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ancient-assyrian-monastery-opens-up-as-museum-after-restoration/ Last updated: 2025-08-17T21:58:56.000Z The ancient Mor Kiryakus Monastery, built around 1,600 years ago by Assyrians near the modern day village of Ayrancı in the Beşiri district of present-day Batman, Türkiye, has officially reopened to visitors following a comprehensive restoration. Located at the foothills of Mount Kıra, the two-story monastery spans approximately 2,500 m² and is one of the oldest centers of Assyrian Christian spirituality in the northern edges of the Turabdin Region. Restoration work began in 2017 and was completed in three phases under the supervision of Turkey’s General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums. The project preserved original architectural features while ensuring structural integrity, including the main church, courtyard, and gatehouse. Local officials, including Batman Governor Ekrem Canalp, inaugurated the monastery with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community leaders and residents. Canalp emphasized the role of Mor Kiryakus as part of a broader effort to expand tourism beyond Hasankeyf, aiming to double visitor numbers from 500,000 in 2025 to one million in 2026. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-17-at-23.52.14-1.png) Mor Kiryakus Monasterys inner court. Photo: AN ### More than just a drive for tourism While attracting more tourism is the stated goal with the restoration, the project also helps to diversify the history and identity of the region, often erroneously described solely as Kurdish due to the modern day ethnic majority of Kurds in the area. As such, the restoration of Assyrian heritage sites across the region serves not only to draw tourists, but to also serve a longterm political goal by the Turkish state of diversifying the identity of southeastern Turkey. Another Assyrian heritage site, the monastery of Mor Aho, also in the Batman province, was restored by Turkey in 2018\. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-17-at-23.57.37.png) The location of the monastery, east of the city of Batman in southeastern Turkey. ### KRG acknowledges Kurdish group calling for extermination of Assyrians URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-group-calling-for-extermination-of-assyrians/ Last updated: 2025-08-17T21:39:51.000Z In recent years, a fringe Kurdish political group known as **Hawpa** has emerged in northern Iraq, under Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) control. While small in numbers, its openly extremist ideology–rooted in fascist and neo-Nazi traditions–has generated deep alarm among Iraq’s indigenous Assyrians. The controversy intensified in June 2025 when the KRG granted Hawpa official recognition as a political movement, prompting two leading Assyrian organizations in Europe to issue a joint condemnation. Critics warn that legitimizing such a group risks normalizing dangerous ideologies and undermining Iraq’s fragile pluralism. ### Origins of Hawpa Hawpa was established on the first day of Nowruz 2020\. In Sorani Kurdish, “hawpa” means “accomplice” or “person of the same type,” while in Kurmanji Kurdish the group is also referred to as the “Kurdish National Socialist Organization” (PSNK). This name reflects its self-proclaimed ideological alignment with Nazi-style ethnic nationalism. From its founding, Hawpa has used online platforms such as Instagram and Telegram to promote its agenda. Among its stated positions–some of which were later removed from its official website but preserved through the Internet Archive–was the explicit call for Assyrians to be genocided. These statements have been documented and translated from Kurdish into English by independent researchers, including Assyrian writer Fredrick Aprim. ### Hostility Toward Assyrians and Other Minorities Hawpa’s hostility toward minorities is not rhetorical alone. Its online materials have circulated conspiracy theories accusing Assyrian and Yazidi communities of collaboration with foreign powers. Such narratives, Assyrian organizations warn, create a climate of fear that encourages harassment, intimidation, and even property seizures in historically Assyrian towns of the Nineveh Plain Region and elsewhere. The group’s website previously contained distorted accounts of Assyrian history, portraying the Assyrian nation in a negative light. While these were later removed, archived versions confirm their presence. ### KRG Recognition and the Assyrian Response In June 2025, the KRG officially recognized Hawpa as a legal political entity. The move was met with swift condemnation from the Union of Assyrian Associations in Germany and Europe (ZAVD) and the Union of Assyrian Youth in Central Europe (AJM). In a joint statement, these organizations described the recognition as “a moral betrayal of Iraq’s diverse heritage” and a step that “legitimizes extremist ideology.” They noted the clear Nazi influence in Hawpa’s emblem and warned that the decision signaled an alarming acceptance of war-time symbols of genocide within Iraqi Kurdish political life. The statement also criticized high-profile receptions of Hawpa representatives by senior KRG officials, including the governor of Arbilu (Erbil). The Assyrian organizations appealed to the European Parliament, European Commission, and other international bodies to pressure the KRG to revoke Hawpa’s official status. ### Broader Context and Possible Motives Observers and activists have speculated about why the KRG would allow such a group to operate legally. Some argue that the KRG seeks to contrast itself with an even more extreme actor, thereby making its own record toward minorities appear more favorable by comparison. Critics point out that while the KRG often presents itself internationally as a protector of Assyrians, Christians and other minorities, it has not implemented key protections outlined in UN declarations on indigenous rights, particularly regarding the Assyrians. Reports of land confiscations, political marginalization, and demographic pressure in Assyrian areas of the Region have persisted for years. By licensing Hawpa, these critics contend, the KRG risks fueling radicalism and deepening distrust among minorities who already are underrepresented and vulnerable. ### Ankawa's Assyrians protest ongoing land grabs and attempts to reshape the area URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/ankawas-assyrians-protest-ongoing-land-grabs-and-attempts-to-reshape-the-area/ Last updated: 2025-08-17T21:33:46.000Z **ANKAWA, Northern Iraq, May 28, 2025** – Residents of Ankawa, a predominantly Assyrian suburb of Erbil, have organized mass protests that go well beyond objections to bars or brothels. Influential voices in the community say these gatherings stem from fears of an orchestrated demographic shift that could reshape Ankawa’s longstanding cultural character. Local leaders and families argue the expansion of nightlife venues is not an isolated issue, but rather part of a broader pattern, orchestrated by the Kurdish rulers while they publicly paint an image of peaceful co-existence. The residents of Ankawa are raising alarms about ongoing changes that risk diluting Ankawa’s Christian and Assyrian identity – an identity they see as being gradually undermined through zoning and development decisions. Several demonstrators carried signs stating demands for thoughtful urban planning that prioritizes existing communities. Poster slogans called for greater transparency in licensing procedures and services tailored to Ankawa’s heritage–not just tourist or entertainment offerings. What began as small assemblies this spring grew rapidly into a series of well-attended rallies. Community organizers emphasized that, although concerns about bars and nightlife sparked the protests, the larger worry is about preserving Ankawa’s long-term cultural and religious fabric. A prominent participant expressed: *“We treasure our neighborhood, our churches, our language–and we feel that decisions are being made without us, altering who we are.”* These concerns were echoed in a [public statement](https://www.facebook.com/zowaa.org/posts/pfbid0sqhNoYgvLX3nEHhHJ4SWe3zhn9FaQ1ZCD9nbBNvJbcXSxgui7DPQneqfKfsvyfFpl) by Dr. Muna Yaqo, Chair of the Independent Human Rights Commission in Northern Iraq. In a detailed Facebook post, Dr. Yaqo voiced her alarm over what she characterized as a deepening crisis in Ankawa, one that transcends individual grievances and signals a broader erosion of the town’s cultural and moral foundations. Dr. Yaqo described how the once-quiet streets of Ankawa have become unrecognizable after midnight, with unfamiliar individuals engaging in immoral behavior openly in front of residents. She highlighted the unchecked proliferation of hotels, many of which are being constructed at a rate far exceeding the town’s actual needs. Some of these establishments, she noted, are situated within residential neighborhoods and are allegedly being used for activities that breach both legal and ethical standards. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-17-at-22.56.37-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-17-at-22.58.29-3.png) A [post on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/muna.yaku/posts/pfbid026yvJx8RpG93XkBMLCcLDMocrH6oZjYYW6hRhvpUmjyFm7rBxDs8Z2JW1TqUhGNq8l) from 26 May, 2025 in Arabic and Kurdish on the personal profile of Dr Muna Yako where she describes the detonating situation in Ankawa. Image to the right is an automatic English translation of Dr Yaku's post on Facebook. ### Assyrians attacked during national Akitu parade in Nohadra URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-man-attacks-assyrians-during-national-parade/ Last updated: 2025-08-22T22:14:29.000Z A muslim man infiltrated a gathering of Assyrians celebrating the Assyrian New Year Akitu festival in central Nohadra on Tuesday 1 April. The attacker mauled a 70-year-old-woman and a young man with an axe while shouting Islamic calls for violence in Kurdish. Other Assyrians were able to overpower and disarm the attacker until security forces arrived. Videos circulating on local media platforms showed how a group of Assyrian men apprehended the attacker. Local authorities announced on Wednesday that the attack was carried out by a Kurdish Syrian national, believing him to be tied to an Islamic group. The attack is the latest in a long series of threats, systematic discrimination and oppression facing Assyrians in Northern Iraq.