Bethnahrin National Council commemorates martyrs, vows to continue liberation struggle

BETH NAHRIN — The Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB) released a statement honoring its martyrs and reaffirming its commitment to the ongoing struggle for freedom and national liberation.

“The MUB’s struggle, rooted in a philosophy of freedom against displacement and destruction, continues to progress toward its goals through great sacrifices and heroic efforts,” read the statement. “Born in challenging circumstances, the MUB courageously confronted its enemies, breaking the chains of oppression and raising the flag of resistance across many areas of Beth Nahrin [Mesopotamia] and the diaspora.”

The MUB emphasized that this new chapter in the history of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) nation has been marked by the people’s willingness to sacrifice their lives in the face of oppression, torture, and authoritarian regimes.

The statement highlighted the legacy of George Francis (Abgar), whose death in an attack by the Turkish Army in the Zagros Mountains on 10 October 1999, became a symbol of resistance. Since then, many have joined the struggle, fighting to the last breath on various fronts. The martyrs’ determination to achieve national unity and reject the division of their homeland has transformed into a widespread social consciousness, carrying the hope of salvation.

The MUB also reflected on the sacrifices made in the fight against jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq. These battles defended the values of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people and upheld the national freedom movement, symbolized by the MUB’s principles. The statement noted that the philosophy born from the martyrs’ sacrifices represents the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people’s ability to govern, defend, and develop their own values. Thanks to their courage, the MUB’s efforts, both at home and abroad, have gained international recognition.

The martyrs’ ultimate aspiration, according to the MUB, is the creation of a unified, free homeland and an independent state. To fulfill these goals, the MUB must adapt to emerging developments and strengthen its role in the evolving landscape of the Middle East.

The statement reiterated the MUB’s commitment to defending the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people and representing them in all fields of struggle across the region. Despite the risks and attacks, the MUB vowed to continue protecting the existence and values of its people through resistance.

The MUB underscored that protecting the martyrs’ heritage, values, families, and national objectives is a primary duty.

“In honor of the martyrs, the MUB will intensify the people’s liberation struggle at this critical juncture,” the statement concluded, calling on all Syriac people to safeguard the blood of their martyrs and defend the ancestral homeland.