Syriac Union Party commemorates 110th anniversary of Sayfo Genocide in Beth Zalin and Dayrik, North and East Syria

BETH ZALIN and DAYRIK, North and East Syria — As part of the 110th anniversary commemoration of the Sayfo Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire against the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people in 1915, the Syriac Union Party (Gabo d’Ḥuyodo Suryoyo, SUP) organized memorial events in Beth Zalin (Qamishli) and Dayrik (Derik / Malikiyah) in North and East Syria. The gatherings were attended by representatives from the Beth Nahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo d’Bethnahrin, MUB), various organizations, political parties, and religious leaders from multiple denominations.

In Beth Zalin, the event opened with a moment of silence to honor the martyrs, followed by speeches from prominent figures. These included SUP Co-Chair Shamiram Danho, Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Gozarto (Jazira) and Euphrates Mor Maurice Amsih, Co-Chair of the People’s Council in Gozarto Canton Hikmat al-Habib, and Hakob Barsoumian on behalf of the Armenian community.

The program featured a performance by Maxime Ishaq and a theatrical play about the Sayfo Genocide,directed by Shafzan Mahmoud and written by Fadi Shamoun. The event concluded with a candlelight march to the Sayfo Roundabout, where the Sayfo Martyrs Memorial stands. At the memorial, a prayer for the martyrs was led by Archbishop Amsih.

In Dayrik, the commemoration began with a candlelight procession from the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mart Shmuni to a memorial monument. The church’s scouting band accompanied the march with musical performances. Afterward, attendees returned to the church, where Archbishop Amsih delivered a speech reflecting on the atrocities of the Sayfo Genocide and the resilience of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people. The event concluded with the Lord’s Prayer and the Teshmeshto prayer for the souls of the martyrs.

On the sidelines of the event, SyriacPress interviewed Archbishop Amsih. He described the Sayfo Genocide as a profound wound in the identity of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people, recounting the suffering of their ancestors in Tur Abdin, Merde (Mardin), Omid (Diyarbakir), Amida, and Azakh.

He added that these massacres would remain a stain of shame on the Ottoman state, calling for prayers for the souls of the martyrs — not only because they were martyrs, but because they have become saints in heaven.