Coordination and Consultation Committee of Syriac–Assyrian National Parties marks 10th Anniversary of the Khabur Resistance, demands justice and recognition

TEL TAMR, North and East Syria — On Sunday evening, the Coordination and Consultation Committee of Syriac–Assyrian National Parties in Syria organized a memorial for the martyrs of the Khabur Resistance at Virgin Mary Church in Tel Tamr, North and East Syria. The event commemorated the tenth anniversary of the attack carried out by the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization on 33 Assyrian villages in the Khabur River Valley, which led to widespread destruction and the abduction of hundreds of civilians.

Representatives from the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB), institutions affiliated with the Coordination and Consultation Committee, and numerous members of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community attended the memorial. The event began with a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs, followed by the performance of the Assyrian national anthem by Jack Yonadam, encapsulating a moment of both sorrow and pride.

Demands for Justice and Recognition of Assyrian Syriac Rights

Jamilah Kako, a member of the General Assembly of the Assyrian Democratic Party (ADP), spoke about the massacre and its profound impact on the Khabur community. She called on the international community and the Syrian transitional government to “fulfill their responsibilities in achieving justice, holding the perpetrators accountable, compensating the victims, and ensuring the safe return of the indigenous population to their villages.”

“The Khabur Massacre is not merely a painful memory but a disgrace to a world that failed to act to prevent it,” stated Nabil Oshana, head of the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) in Hasakah and Khabur. “This tragedy is etched in our hearts, but it will not deter us from continuing the struggle for our rights.”

Resilience Despite Tragedy

Flora Yousef, a survivor of the massacre and a resident of Khabur, recounted the events:

“The night of the invasion was an unforgettable nightmare. We saw our homes burn and our loved ones killed or kidnapped. Despite this, we stand here today, on this land, declaring: We will not leave, and our identity will not be erased.”

Johnny Ormez, a member of the ADO Executive Committee, highlighted the importance of constitutional recognition of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people’s rights in Syria. “We are an indigenous people of this land, and we will not accept being mere victims of others’ conflicts,” he stated. “We demand a democratic state that recognizes us as partners in the homeland, not as forgotten minorities.”

Honoring the Martyrs and Lighting Candles

Following the speeches, songs inspired by the occasion were performed by Jacob Asmar and Jack Yonadam. Later, Shamiram Danho, Co-Chair of the Syriac Union Party (SUP), reaffirmed the party’s commitment to defending national and ethnic rights. “Our martyrs did not die in vain; they paved the way to freedom with their blood,” she declared. “The resistance at Tishrin Dam sent a clear message that our will cannot be broken, no matter the challenges.”

The commemoration concluded with a heartfelt speech by Armin Mardo, head of the Syriac-Assyrian Martyrs’ Families Foundation. “The families of the martyrs have endured indescribable pain, but they find solace in knowing that their loved ones’ sacrifices have contributed to the survival of our people,” he said. “This memorial is not just a remembrance of the past but a call to action for the present and the future to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.”

At the end of the event, attendees gathered to light candles in the church courtyard, creating a solemn moment. This act carried a message of loyalty to the martyrs and a vow to continue the struggle for the rights and existence of the Assyrian Syriac people.