17/06/2024

Syriac Union Party leads candlelight march in Zalin, North and East Syria, to commemorate 109th anniversary of Sayfo Genocide

ZALIN, North and East Syria — Over the weekend, the Syriac Union Party (SUP) organized a candlelight march in Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria, to mark the 109th anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide in which the Ottoman Empire and its allies killed hundreds of thousands of Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldean).

The march saw participation from the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB), various political parties, and members of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community. Security for the event was provided by the Syriac Security Forces (Sutoro).

Starting from the SUP headquarters, the march proceeded to the Sayfo Genocide Memorial on Al-Quwatli Street in the city center. Participants observed a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs.

SUP Co-Chair Shamiram Danho spoke about the historical and ongoing atrocities committed by the Ottoman Empire against the Christian peoples of Turkey, emphasizing the need for international recognition and accountability for these crimes.

Georgette Barsoum, head of the Syriac Women’s Union (SWU) in Syria, highlighted the resilience of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people in the face of the repeated massacres and continued repression. She called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to acknowledge the genocide and hold the perpetrators responsible.