Yaqub Keryo: The Syriac Journalist and Thinker Who Carried the Torch of Nationalism and Culture

Introduction

Yaqub Keryo, son of Joseph the Syriac, is not merely a name in the annals of journalism in Syria and the broader Middle East, but a symbol of intellectual commitment and the struggle through words. A bold journalist, a profound thinker, and a cultural activist, he left an indelible mark on the consciousness of his nation. In an era dominated by political and social challenges, he carried the torch of nationalism and culture, standing tall as a defender of truth—whether confronting historical injustices or contemporary crises. Through his articles, writings, and cultural initiatives, he proved that the free word has the power to transform reality and revive collective memory.

Early Life and Intellectual Formation

Born in Syria into an environment rich with cultural and social heritage, Yaqub Keryo grew up in surroundings that nurtured his passion for intellectual pursuits from a young age. He listened to his grandparents’ tales of the tragedies endured by the Syriac people, which instilled in him a deep sense of responsibility toward his history and identity. He enrolled at the University of Daramsuq (Damascus) to study social work, acquiring analytical and humanitarian tools that shaped his societal vision.

For him, education was not just an academic phase but a springboard for a deeper understanding of social justice and human rights, leading him to embrace journalism as a mission rather than a mere profession. Thus began his journey, driven by an unwavering belief that the pen is the thinker’s weapon against oppression.

Journalistic Career: The Voice of Truth

Yaqub Keryo launched his journalistic career in the early 1980s, penning hundreds of articles for prestigious Arab language platforms such as Al-Kifah Al-Arabi magazine and newspapers like Jordan’s Al-Majd, Arabs Today, Canada’s Al-Watan, and Lebanon’s Al-Safir. His pen was a drawn sword against silence, addressing political, social, and nationalist issues with rare courage. He never shied away from sensitive topics, instead transforming them into a platform to heighten societal awareness and awaken the collective conscience.

Distinguished by depth and analysis, his style went beyond superficial narration, delving into the roots of problems and offering critical insights into the realities of the Middle East. A true field journalist, he conveyed the people’s concerns and mirrored their hopes, earning the trust of readers in Syria and beyond. Fame or widespread recognition was never his aim; his focus was on effecting real change in society—a pursuit that sustained him despite the challenges facing free journalism during that period.

Cultural Role: Reviving Heritage and Spreading Thought

Keryo’s ambitions extended beyond journalism to building cultural bridges between past and present. In 1991, he founded Ashtaroth Publishing House in Daramsuq (Damascus), an initiative dedicated to reviving intellectual and historical works that had been buried or neglected over time. He chose the name “Ashtaroth,” a symbol of fertility and creativity in the ancient culture of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia), to reflect his vision of rejuvenating thought. The publishing house produced books tackling sensitive and vital topics, contributing to the restoration of a rich cultural heritage nearly forgotten.

In 2001, he opened a branch in Beirut, expanding its reach and establishing it as a platform uniting thinkers and writers from across Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia) and the Middle East. His efforts didn’t stop there; he launched Ishraqat Ashtaroth, a magazine that became a beacon of free thought, distributed across twelve countries in the region. It hosted diverse voices from varying perspectives without constraints, serving as a mirror reflecting the richness of intellectual diversity and a space for constructive dialogue. This made it one of the most prominent cultural publications in Syria, Lebanon, and the Middle East, carrying the history of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia) and its Syriac (Aramean-Chaldean-Assyrian) people to North African nations.

Advocacy for the Syriac Cause and National Identity

Yaqub Keryo was among the staunchest defenders of the Syriac cause, representing an ancient segment of the Syrian nation that endured the ravages of history. His writings focused on the suffering of the Syriacs in southern Turkey, particularly during the “Sayfo” massacres of the early twentieth century, which he documented with precision and depth. He didn’t merely raise this issue but sought to spotlight the historical injustices inflicted upon this people—forced displacement, torture, and killing in the most brutal ways—drawing on ancestral testimonies of severed heads and the disembowelment of pregnant women.

He believed that Syriac nationalism was not just a slogan but a unifying identity for the people of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia), rooted in the Aramean-Syriac legacy. He fought to cement this concept, calling for resistance against the erasure attempts led by the Ottomans and later Atatürk. He viewed historical Syria as extending beyond its current borders, with lost territories like Mardin and Nusaybin forming an inseparable part of its fabric. 

Key Intellectual Works

Yaqub Keryo left behind a diverse intellectual legacy reflecting his wide-ranging interests, including: 

“Submission: Bakdash and the Contradiction”: A profound critical study of the Syrian-Lebanese Communist Party, analyzing its stances on nationalist and patriotic issues and exposing contradictions in its political discourse.

“In Social Work: Humanity and Social Action”: A book highlighting the importance of social work as a tool for building just societies, grounded in his academic expertise.

“Roots of Syrian Thought”: A historical and intellectual work exploring Syrian heritage and its influence on Arab civilization, urging a rereading of the past through contemporary eyes.

Stance on the Syrian Crisis

With the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011, Keryo adopted a balanced and objective stance. He did not align with one side at the expense of another but advocated for a political solution to preserve Syria’s unity and prevent its fragmentation. In each issue of Ishraqat Ashtaroth, he dedicated a section to discussing the situation, hosting opinions from politicians and thinkers across the spectrum. His goal was to seek truth and present a comprehensive picture, free from fanaticism or emotional bias. 

Syria Devoured by Turkey: A Critical Historical Perspective

In his writings, Keryo offered a penetrating analysis of Syria’s stolen territories, which he saw as an unhealed historical wound. He spoke of Merde (Mardin), Tur Abdin, Omid (Diyarbakir), Urhoy (Urfa), Nsibin (Nusaybin), and Cilicia, arguing that these regions were wrested away through unjust agreements like Sèvres and Lausanne, which redrew borders in Turkey’s favor at Syria’s expense. Drawing on accounts from those who lived through the Ottoman era’s end, he documented atrocities of torture and displacement—from beheadings by sword to the mutilation of corpses and the rape of women.

He sharply criticized the Ottoman role in altering Syria’s demographics, noting that modern Turkey, founded by Atatürk, was built on the ruins of Syriac, Armenian, Greek, and Bulgarian lands. He pointed to the theft of Syriac cultural heritage—music and cuisine—rebranded as “Turkish” despite its Syrian roots. For instance, he cited a famous Turkish song, “Kırkardan Andım Ans,” as derived from an ancient Syriac melody by Saint Ephrem the Syriac.

Keryo saw the Syriacs as having played a monumental civilizational role in translation and authorship, yet their monasteries and schools were destroyed or turned into stables under Atatürk. He asked with anguish, “Is this the march of history that wronged our people?” urging the unveiling of truths and a rejection of silence on this injustice. He affirmed that Ishraqat Ashtaroth would continue addressing these issues, serving as a voice for national and patriotic duty. 

Departure and Lasting Legacy

On December 28, 2013, Yaqub Keryo passed away in Daramsuq (Damascus) after a battle with illness, leaving a profound void in cultural and media circles. His friend Nizam Mardini described him as having “dismounted from Ashtaroth ’s steed,” bearing the sorrow of his final year yet leaving threads of light for the future. His Beirut office was a haven for intellectuals, and Hamra Street bore witness to his presence. Though he departed in body, his legacy of articles, books, and cultural initiatives endures, inspiring generations. 

Conclusion

Yaqub Keryo was more than a journalist or thinker; he was a symbol of intellectual courage and nationalist commitment. With his pen, he confronted historical wrongs, defended his people’s identity, and rekindled awareness of his nation’s causes. A free voice unafraid to speak truth, he believed the word outmatched any authority. He may have left this world, but his impact remains eternal in the minds and hearts of those who read his works—a reminder that free thought is the sharpest weapon against obscurity and oblivion.

In this series

Saeed Ishaq: The Silent Statesman Who Left His Mark on History

The Saga of Bahdi Keryo: A Leader Forged in Fire

Hanna Yaqub Abdulki (1877-1955): The Life of a Man Who Shaped History