Former Syriac Member of Iraqi Parliament Sliwa: Nineveh Wall sabotage is deliberate

MOSUL and ANKAWA, Iraq — Due to the recent destruction and sabotage of the ancient historical Nineveh Wall in Mosul, questions have been raised within Iraqi society and among the Chaldean– Syriac–Assyrian people. It is unclear whether the damage was deliberate sabotage, with Mosul authority’s approval, or due to their unintended negligence. However, the result remains the same, the destruction of yet more Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian heritage.

On Saturday, during an interview with SuroyoTV’s “Political Perspective”, former Syriac Member of Iraqi Parliament Joseph Sliwa declared that what happened to the Nineveh Wall appears to be deliberate and planned.

“Foreign agendas are behind the Nineveh Wall destruction, and it is implemented by Iraqi hands,” said Sliwa.

Sliwa added that there is an official approval by the Nineveh District Administration to demolish the wall, which would be a clear violation of the Iraqi constitution, and that he holds the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, Antiquities, and Tourism responsible for the failure to protect the Wall from vandalism and destruction.

Regarding the role of the parties and institutions of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people in stopping these violations and highlighting them regionally and globally, Sliwa stated that a number of parties in several western countries called for demonstrations to denounce the damage done to Wall. They aimed to make it an issue of global public opinion.

Inside Iraq, the parties of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people are also speaking out. The head of the Bethnahrain Patriotic Union (HBA), Yusuf Yaqoub Matti, visited the site of the damage and denounced it as a crime against the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people.

Sliwa called for unity in the face of any encroachment on Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian history and cultural heritage.

As for the Babylonian–Assyrian New Year, Akitu, Sliwa confirmed that the celebration organized by the HBA was unfortunately canceled due to coronavirus measures that prevented movement between governorates and cities.

Sliwa also praised the cooperation between the Syriac Union Party (SUP) and the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) in organizing a joint Akitu celebration in North and East Syria.

“It is considered a glimmer of hope for our people, and an example that must be followed by all parties of our people all over the world,” Sliwa concluded.

For the full interview in Arabic see Suroyo FM.