Syriac Union Party hosts lecture in Qabre Hewore to commemorate 109th anniversary of Sayfo Genocide

QABRE HEWORE, North and East Syria — On the 109th anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide against the Christian peoples of the Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia) — including the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people — by the Ottoman Empire and its local allies, the Qabre Hewore branch of the Syriac Union Party (SUP) organized a commemorative lecture at its headquarters on 13 June. The event was attended by representatives of the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB), notable regional figures, and a large number of community members.

The lecture began with a minute of silence to honor the souls of the martyrs. This was followed by a detailed discussion on the history and events of the massacres, which caused significant human, material, and psychological losses and are considered among the most horrific crimes of the 20th century.

Participants also delved into the long history of violations and injustices faced by the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people. A documentary film was shown to further illustrate the devastation of the massacres.

In a statement to Suroyo TV, Habib Ardeesh, the official in charge of Qabre Hewore Square, highlighted the historical persecutions that led to the theft of property and holy sites and the killing of tens of thousands of civilians and clerics. He emphasized that such lectures and seminars are crucial for demanding international recognition of the Sayfo Genocide and the rights of their people.

George Youssef, a member of the SUP in Qabre Hewore, stated that the goal of the massacres was to eliminate Christian communities in Turkey, with the cooperation of international and regional powers. He added that the Ottoman Empire stole properties and destroyed homes and holy sites to effect demographic changes and displace their people from their homeland. Youssef called on the community to unite with other regional components to resist efforts by occupying forces aiming to eradicate their people.