Syriac-Assyrian political parties commemorate 9th anniversary of ISIS invasion of Khabur Valley

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — The Coordination Committee of Syriac-Assyrian Nationalist Political Parties marked the 9th anniversary of the Islamic State (ISIS) invasion of the Khabur River Valley in North and East Syria.

The commemoration, held in the town of Tel Tamr, northeast of Hasakah, saw the participation of institutions from the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB), institutions of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES), the Syriac Military Council (Mawtbo Fulhoyo Suryoyo, MFS), Syriac Security Forces (Sutoro), and local residents.

The event commenced with a minute of silence in honor of martyrs, followed by the recitation of the Assyrian National Anthem.

Speakers included Sanharib Barsom, Co-Chair of the Syriac Union Party (SUP), Wael Mirza, Member of the Executive Body of the Assyrian Democratic Party (ADP), Gabriel Moshe, Official of the Political Bureau of the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), Jamil Bahho Oussi, Representative of Syriac-Assyrian Martyrs Families, and Jamila Kako, a survivor of the invasion.

The speeches recounted the tragedy of the invasion of Khabur and urged the international community to uncover the circumstances behind it and disclose the fate of the missing individuals. They also praised the heroism and resilience of the MFS in liberating the villages of Khabur.

The speakers also called for unity among the political parties of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people’s parties, emphasizing collaboration with all Syrians to strengthen solidarity in the homeland.

The event concluded with a candlelight vigil in memory of martyrs.

On 23 February 2015, ISIS seized control of 11 villages in the Khabur River Valley and abducted over 240 citizens. The attack resulted in the complete destruction of eight churches in villages such as Tel Hormuz, Tel Tal, Tel Shamiran, Tel Jazira, Tel Tala, Abu Tina, and Qaber Shamiya. Among these, the Church of the Virgin Mary in Tel Nasri village, one of the largest and most renowned Syriac-Assyrian churches in Khabur, suffered significant damage.