Assyrian Democratic Organization official Bashir al-Saadi calls for annual commemoration and international recognition on 54th anniversary of Soria Massacre

BETH NAHRIN — In remembrance of the 54th anniversary of the tragic Soria Massacre, during which dozens of Chaldeans–Syriacs–Assyrians, including women and children, were killed by the Iraqi Army, Deputy Official of the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) Bashir al-Saadi called on the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people, political parties, and civil institutions to observe an annual commemoration of the massacre and seek international recognition.

The Soria Massacre unfolded in the village of Soria, situated on the border between the Iraqi government and Kurdish revolutionary forces. It was orchestrated by then-commander Abdul Karim al-Juhaishi, who ordered the gathering of villagers in a barn before mercilessly opening fire on them, leading to numerous casualties, including Father Hanna Qasho. Al-Juhaishi, responsible for the atrocity, attempted to justify his actions by claiming his vehicle had struck a mine.

Al-Saadi highlighted that al-Juhaishi did not stop at killing the villagers but also set fire to the entire village. Shockingly, the Iraqi government took no measures to hold al-Juhaishi accountable, leaving the current Iraqi government, seen as a political and legal successor to the government of that era, responsible for acknowledging this brutal crime against humanity.

Al-Saadi emphasized that institutions and political parties representing the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people around the world should mark the anniversary of the Soria Massacre annually. He noted that some of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian institutions in the United States have brought the Soria Massacre to the attention of members of the US Congress. Five members of Congress expressed interest in the matter and presented it to the Foreign Affairs Committee, with the goal of introducing an official bill recognizing the Soria and Semele massacres as crimes against humanity.