Nadine Maenza calls for increased US role in protecting religious minorities in Iraq following seizure of control of Nineveh Provincial Council by sanctioned Rayan Kildani

WASHINGTON, D.C. / NINEVEH PLAINS — Rayan Kildani, head of the Babylon Movement, has assumed control of the Nineveh Provincial Council, replacing 15 mayors and directors and appointing five new officials to previously vacant positions, according to Nadine Maenza, Global Fellow at the Wilson Center and President of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat (IRF).

Maenza urged the Iraqi government to intervene and halt the harassment of religious and ethnic minorities by Kildani and other pro-Iranian militias.

Ostensibly a Chaldean Catholic political movement, in truth, the Babylon Movement is a fringe faction that chiefly represents the personal interests of Rayan al-Kildani instead of the Christian population. Backed by Iran, the group has strong connections to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Badr Organization. Its military wing, the Babylon Brigades (also called Brigade 50), was created by Kata’ib al-Imam Ali, which is under Iranian control. Despite advertising itself as a Chaldean Catholic and Christian unit, the organization consists mainly of Shia Arab and Shabak troops.

In an article published by the Wilson Center’s Middle East Program titled ‘10 Years After ISIS Genocide, Christians Are Under Threat’, Maenza also called for changes to election rules to safeguard political representation following Kildani’s acquisition of four out of five minority quota seats in Parliament and multiple seats on four Provincial Councils, including Nineveh.

Highlighting the ongoing influence of the US and international community, Maenza called for urgent global action to protect vulnerable religious minority communities.

The Iraqi Federal Court is expected to deliver a verdict in the coming weeks regarding the legality of the Nineveh Provincial Council’s dismissal.

Maenza warned that continuing these actions could lead to the removal of the last independent Christian mayors outside the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, potentially devastating historical Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian cities like Bartella, Baghdede (Qaraqosh / Hamdaniyah), and Tel Keif, as well as Yezidi areas in Shigur (Shengal / Sinjar).

Urgent situation in Nineveh Plains as last independent Syriac-Assyrian-Chaldean Christian mayors (outside KRG) removed.

US sanctioned Rayan Kildani has taken over Nineveh Provincial Council & removed/replaced 15 mayors & directors & appointed 5 to vacant position. #Iraq Federal… pic.twitter.com/Py3axdCrCx

— Nadine Maenza (@nadinemaenza) August 19, 2024