Syriac–Assyrian political parties in Syria commemorate 8th anniversary of 2015 Khabur Resistance against ISIS

TEL TAMR, Syria — On Thursday, the 8th anniversary of the 2015 Khabur Resistance against the Islamic State (ISIS) attack on the Syriac–Assyrian villages of the Khabur River Valley, the Coordination and Consultation Committee of Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) political parties and organizations held a commemorative event under the slogan “From Sayfo and Simile to Khabur, Our Resistance Remains and Continues”.

The Syriac Union Party (SUP), Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), and the Assyrian Democratic Party (ADP) organized the event at the hall of the Qadissa Church of the Assyrian Church of the East in Tel Tamr, the town at the heart of Khabur. The event was attended by representatives of the institutions of the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB) and representatives of political parties and institutions from various ethnic and religious components.

The commemorative event began with a minute of silence for the souls of martyrs, followed by a speech by the pastor of the Qadissa Church in Tal Tamr, Fr. Bakus. He spoke about the difficult days that the people of Khabur suffered during the ISIS attack, which saw the killing, kidnapping, and displacement of civilians, in addition to the negative psychological effects they suffered even after liberation.

Member of the SUP Executive Body Afram Ishaq delivered a speech in which he emphasized the importance of commemorating the events of 2015 and the great resistance shown by the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people, side-by-side with the military forces.

“The Syriac people refused submission and kept defending their land and existence,” Ishaq added.

Today ceremony in Khabour region. https://t.co/huSUUnhYPU pic.twitter.com/CVbve6ln8O

— SyriacMilitaryMFS (@SyriacMFS) February 23, 2023

Member of the ADO General Body, Syria Branch, Nabil Oshana also delivered a speech. Oshana emphasized the greatness of the sacrifices of the martyrs of the Khabur Resistance for the homeland and stressed the importance of their memory in our hearts.

Member of the ADP Central Committee, Syria Branch, Johnny Hormuz stressed the importance of the unity of the political parties of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people in the face of all challenges. “Khabur will remain an impenetrable fortress in the face of greed,” he said. “Khabur’s resistance is completely great.”

Jamil Bahho Ousi delivered a speech on behalf of the Syriac–Assyrian Martyrs’ Families Foundation during which he spoke about the mixing of the martyrs’ blood with the soil of the homeland and their heroism and resistance. “All of us will follow the path of the martyrs,” he continued.

A survivor of ISIS captivity, Jamila Kako, spoke about her experience. She talked about the suffering that the kidnapped were subjected to at the hands of ISIS and how they were liberated from ISIS captivity due to the tremendous efforts the military and security forces of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people.

Lastly, everyone went to the churchyard and lit candles for the souls of the martyrs. The event was covered by several local media outlets, including Suroyo TV.

The event was secured by the Internal Security Forces (ISF) of North and East Syria, including the Sutoro (Syriac Security Forces).