Anticipation high ahead of U.S. President Biden’s assumed recognition of Sayfo

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 24th April marks the 106th anniversary of the Ottoman genocides of the Armenian, Greek, Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean), and Yezidi peoples. The descendants of those murdered and displaced have eagerly awaited news from the White House about the expected recognition of the massacres by President Joe Biden.

Recognition of the Sayfo, the Syriac term to for the genocide of 1915, has received widespread support from several lawmakers in the U.S. Congress. One-hundred and seven members of the U.S. Congress called on President Biden to recognize the genocides this year.

Senator Bob Menendez proposed to include the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) and Greek people in the recognition.

The majority of major news outlets in the U.S. have reported they expect President Biden will indeed recognize the genocides on the 24^th of April.

The Sayfo occupied the headlines in U.S. media and provoked reactions in Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu warned that Biden’s recognition of the genocides would lead to the deterioration of bilateral relations between Ankara and Washington. However, members of Congress, who support the issue, declared that maintaining relations with Ankara is not as important as Washington’s commitment to its principles on human rights.