NINEVEH PLAINS

BAGHDEDE, Iraq — In a heartfelt expression of solidarity and cultural pride, the Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union (Huyodo d’Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) celebrated the annual Feast of Mar Qaryaqos alongside the residents of the Nineveh Plains town of Baghdede (Qaraqosh / Hamdaniyah), Iraq. Held on 6 April, the event honors the…

NINEVEH PLAIN, Iraq — The slopes of Mor Mattai Syriac Orthodox Monastery hosted vibrant Kha Nison–Akitu celebrations, organized by the Bethnahrin Patriotic Union (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) and its youth and women’s institutions. The event drew a massive turnout from the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community, with attendees traveling from across Nineveh Plains…

ANKAWA/BETH ZALIN, Iraq-Syria — With the national holiday of Akitu or “Kha Nison” coming up, the Bethnahrain Patriotic Union (HBA) in Iraq and the Syriac Union Party (SUP) in Syria have announced the locations and details of their celebrations on April 1.  HBA is holding this year’s Kha Nison celebration in…

BARTELLA, Iraq — A solemn funeral service was held in the Syriac town of Bartella, located in Nineveh Plains region of Iraq, to honor Syriac Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Baghdad Athanasius Matti Mattoka. The ceremony was presided over by Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan and drew a large…

ALQOSH, Iraq — Highlighting the vital role of language in preserving identity, the Director-General of Syriac Education, Salah Khidhir, in collaboration with the Minister of Education, Ibrahim al-Juburi, launched an exhibition showcasing Syriac calligraphy and painting. Held under the slogan Our Language Strengthens Our Existence, the event took place on…

BAGHDAD – Bethnahrin Patriotic Union Party President Joseph Sliwa met with Dr. Arif al-Saadi, Advisor on Cultural Affairs to the Iraqi Prime Minister, on Thursday to discuss Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian cultural rights. The meeting took place at the Cultural Affairs Center in the capital Baghdad. The two sides exchanged views on Iraqi…

SHIGUR, Iraq — Protests broke out in Shigur (Şengal/Sinjar) following clashes between the Iraqi Army and the Şengal Resistance Units (Yekîneyên Berxwedana Şengalê; YBŞ), which left three fighters injured. Local residents, angered by the attacks, attempted to march toward the regional center but were blocked by Iraqi forces, who closed…

STRASBOURG, NINEVEH PLAINS, France Iraq — Sarod Al-Maqdisi, a political bureau member of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa), addressed the European Parliament, emphasizing the need for governments to adopt strategies that protect and strengthen the presence of ethnic and religious minorities. He called for new administrative frameworks to safeguard their…

BAGHDEDE, Iraq — In a significant step toward cultural preservation and inclusivity, the Mayor of Baghdede (Qaraqosh / Hamdaniyah), Issam Behnam, officially responded to the Bethn Nahrain Patriotic Union’s (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) request to enforce the Official Languages Law. This law, enacted in Iraq following the 2003 constitution, recognizes…

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — In collaboration with EWTN News, ACI MENA, the Catholic news agency for the Middle East and North Africa, released a joint documentary shedding light on the suffering of Iraqi Christians. The launch event, held at the Catholic University in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq…