Genocide in the Khabur: Part II

Many religious and cultural landmarks, which are integral to the Syriac-Assyrian heritage, were destroyed or threatened. ISIS and other extremist groups targeted numerous churches, aiming to erase the cultural and religious identity of the Syriac-Assyrian people. These attacks were seen as deliberate attempts to obliterate their historical and cultural legacy.

The attacks that targeted the Syriac-Assyrian people, victims and Slavery  

On the night of February 23, 2015, the terrorist organization ISIS launched a violent attack targeting the villages of Khabur, located west of the city of Hasakah. The group seized control of villages such as Tel Shamiram, Tel Jazira, Tel Tal, Tel Hermiz, Qabr Shamieh, Tel Baz, and others situated on the southern bank of the Khabur River. Due to the rising and flowing waters of the Khabur River that same night, ISIS detained large numbers of peaceful Assyrian civilians. The attack resulted in casualties among the Assyrians, with several killed and injured, and 259 individuals were abducted, including dozens of women, children, and elderly residents from the aforementioned southern villages. The ongoing battles led to the displacement of Syriac villagers from northern Khabur to the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli, with the number of displaced families estimated to exceed 1,380.  

After Khabur was liberated from ISIS control, the group executed three Assyrian Christians and released a video showing the execution of three Assyrian hostages by shooting them in the head. The victims were identified as:   Abdulmasih Azaria Noya, 36 years old, from Tel Jazira; Ashur Abraham, from Tel Jazira; and Bassam Issa Michael, 39 years old, from Tel Shamiram. 

The video also depicted three other hostages pleading for their release, with ISIS demanding a large ransom for their freedom and threatening that all hostages would face the same fate if the ransom was not paid. The church, through its members abroad, contributed to raising the ransom, and the terrorist organization released the hostages in several batches.  

The violations against churches  

During ISIS’s invasion of the Syriac-Assyrian villages, the group carried out acts of killing and displacement, in addition to burning villages, desecrating churches, and destroying them. A total of 11 churches were either completely or partially destroyed, beginning on Easter Day, April 1, 2015, with the bombing of the Church of the Virgin Mary in Tel Nasri. This act was a clear message that Syriac-Assyrian Christians were considered infidels and polytheists by the group. 

 The psychological damages to the Syriac-Assyrian people  

The psychological damage inflicted on the Syriac-Assyrian people has been profound due to a series of criminal acts, including kidnappings, killings, and identity-based displacement. These violations have deeply affected their collective identity and individual psyche, embedding fear into their subconscious. Many have retreated into isolation from society as a result of widespread abuses such as torture, enslavement, rape, forced marriages of minors, and the assassination of intellectuals and prominent figures within the community. This has led to feelings of anxiety, stress, sadness, self-doubt, shame, personality disorders, and reliance on sedatives and alcohol as coping mechanisms. 

The security, financial, social, and livelihood challenges  

In addition to threats from extremist groups, the Syriac-Assyrians have faced challenges stemming from Turkish military operations targeting northern and eastern Syria indiscriminately. Living alongside Kurds and Arabs on the frontlines of military operations has made their region perpetually vulnerable, especially after Turkey’s “Operation Peace Spring” in 2019. Increased attacks have resulted in violations against churches, cemeteries, and homes, turning these areas into theaters of military operations. This has exacerbated the suffering of residents, forcing them to flee and displace once again from villages and areas near Turkish forces and their allied factions. The current state of these villages is no better than the frontlines, as they suffer from destroyed infrastructure, including water, electricity, and sewage networks. Some villages have been closed off, converted into military barracks, or used as shelters for displaced individuals who have encroached upon properties and homes, further exploiting the region.  

Like other communities in Syria, the Syriac-Assyrians have endured the economic and social crises caused by the war. Damaged and destroyed infrastructure, poverty, and resource shortages have made it difficult for them to rebuild their lives in their native areas.  

Recommendations:  

Given the various forms of persecution faced by the Syriac-Assyrians of Khabur—one of the oldest peoples deeply rooted in history—it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive and strategic study of their situation, as they are now at risk of extinction, which contradicts fundamental human values. It is of utmost importance for the new Syrian state to recognize and acknowledge the genocide they endured, enshrine their rights in the constitution, and take steps to prevent future genocides. Emergency and strategic solutions should be adopted to address the consequences of the genocide against this ancient ethnic group. International entities must enforce a cessation of military operations across Syria, particularly in the Khabur region, neutralize the area, and entrust its protection to its Syriac-Assyrian inhabitants in collaboration with relevant authorities. The region should be cleared of displaced individuals, violations should be rectified, and infrastructure such as electricity, potable water, sewage systems, and other essential services should be restored. Churches should be rebuilt, roads reopened to all villages, and bridges constructed between northern and southern villages by the government responsible for the area. Efforts should be made to encourage the return of expatriates and compensate them for the material and emotional damages they suffered, while holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.  

Finally, it is the responsibility of governments, international human rights organizations, and nations committed to protecting human rights to support efforts to safeguard these communities and ensure they live in a safe and stable environment, free from conflict.

Genocide in the Khabur: Part I

The Syriac Union Party – Media Office