MUB Administrative Authority member Saka to SuroyoFM: Turkish attacks on Iraq threaten the existence of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people in the region

NOHADRA, Iraq — In an interview for SuroyoFM’s “Opinion” program, member of the Administrative Authority of the Beth Nahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB) Ablahad Saka spoke about the blatant and repeated Turkish attacks on the lands of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people in Iraq and the danger that these attacks pose as they threaten the existence of the Chaldeans–Syriacs–Assyrians in the region.

Saka indicated that the Turkish attacks on the villages of Nohadra (Dohuk) occur almost daily and have affected the livelihood of the local population whose crops and farms were damaged, not to mention the human and psychological damage.

On 26 June, Turkey airstrikes, seemingly intentionally, targeted and killed dozens of sheep.

The aftermath of Turkish airstrikes in Amedi’s Spindare village, Iraqi Kurdistan Region. pic.twitter.com/Lb2034cxMk

— Rebaz Majeed (@Rebaz_Majeed) June 26, 2021

Saka explained that the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people are present on the border areas between Turkey and Iraq and have been subjected to mass displacement by the Turkish military operations.

“Most of the villages our people were displaced from have turned into military areas,” he declared.

Turkey has many ambitions in the region, he said, including the seizure of border areas, in addition to the long-standing conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have largely ignored the Turkish military operation, said Saka, noting that they have issued meek statements but have done nothing to actually end the Turkish operation.

“There is great neglect for these Turkish violations which threatens the existence of an entire people in their homeland by human rights organizations,” Saka concluded.