Challenges and hopes for Syriac–Assyrian people returning to Tur Abdin, Turkey, reports Middle East Eye

MARDIN, Turkey — In a comprehensive report, Middle East Eye detailed the situation of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community in Turkey, unraveling their rich history and the ongoing struggles they face in their quest to return to their ancestral homeland in the historic Tur Abdin region.

The article chronicles the poignant return of Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldeans) to their ancestral homeland after four decades of emigration. Despite the recent influx, the Turkish government’s failure to secure their rights stands as a significant impediment to the community’s larger-scale repatriation.

Notably, the piece underscores the Turkish government’s neglect of crucial reconstruction projects vital to the areas inhabited by the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people. This negligence poses yet another challenge hindering their journey back to their homeland.

A focal point of the article is the compelling story of Farhan Demirtas, the latest Syriac returnee who, after years in Switzerland, decided to rebuild his life in the village of Anhel in Tur Abdin. The challenges he encountered in constructing a home in his village highlight the practical obstacles faced by those attempting to reclaim their roots.

Additionally, the article sheds light on the historical injustices inflicted upon Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) communities, with the Ottoman Empire altering the names of areas and properties to assimilate their culture and erase their profound history.

The report traces the waves of Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) emigration, from the mass exodus in the 1970s and 1980s during increased conflict between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), to the more recent displacement caused by terrorist attacks in Syria and Iraq after 2010.

Despite these adversities, the article affirms the resilient spirit of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people, showcasing their efforts in restoring over 40 villages in Tur Abdin.