Bookmark this site

www.Christiansofiraq.com is dedicated to bringing the latest news, articles and commentaries about the plight of the Christian Assyrians of Iraq to the attention of the international community.

This site is updated two to three times a week.

  Christians of Iraq
   
 Contact

Historical articles

 Historical pictures

 Photos of Bombed Churches

 Archived Articles

 Home

 

 

How Assyrians were forced to abandon their towns and villages in Turkey?

Torment of the Assyrians of Turkey after world war one by the Turks and the "Kurdish Labor Party"- PKK"

By Shamaoun Danho ­ Sweden Founder of "Sargon Publishing House" in Sweden


The persecution of the Assyrians in southeast Turkey (mountains of Hakari, Tur-Abdin Nassibin, Amad, Mardin and Urfa) did not end after the massacres of World War One. Not even after Kamal Ataturk replaced the Kurdish "Aghas with the so-called "Kurdish Democratic, Parties" in 1924.


Turkey has never acknowledged its massacres of the Assyrian or has distanced itself from them. It did not even mention the Assyrians as a minority in turkey in its constitution. Instead it changed the Assyrians names of the towns and villages where they had lived for as long as history could remember in an attempt to undermine their history and heritage in Southeast region. It also prohibited the teaching or speaking of the ancient Syriac (the Assyrian language). It formed Kurdish militia called "the Village Guards" modeled after the Hamidite troops created by the Sultan Abdul Hamid in 1890 who were used to massacre the Assyrians and the Armenians. Turkey's objectives by establishing "the Village Guards" were twofold; to sow dissension among the Kurds and to expel the remaining Assyrian population out of the region. 


When the Kurdish Labors Party (PKK) gained power in 1984 it rebelled against the central government, and it threatened the Assyrian and Kurdish villages forcing them to provide money, refuge, food and clothing for its fighters. When Assyrians complied because of fear of vengeance the Turkish troops and tanks arrived to destroy their villages, and burn their crop to punish them. This was done to the villages of Hassana, Midon, Dayro do Slibo, Deir Qouba and others during the 1990s. The PKK also terrorized the Assyrians for the slightest of excuses. In the village of Bnaybeel PKK excecuted four villager whom its accused of having helped the Turkish government but that was not true. The four had advised the villager not to abandon their homes in Tur-Abdin despite such oppressions. The PKK tactics were intended to terrorize the Assyrians forcing them to leave their homeland where they had lived since time immemorial.


The "Kurdish Hezbollah" also engaged in cruel murder of the Assyrians because of religious fanaticism targeting first the educated, and then the ordinary people including children. The Continued killing and terror ultimately succeeded in forcing some 150 thousand Assyrians from their villages in the Tur-Abdin Mountains. This was in addition to the tens of thousands who were driven out of "Al-Ruha" (Urfa) and other Turkey's cities by the Kurds employed by the Turkish government in 1924. Those who had escaped the tyranny of the Kurds and the Turkish oppression settled in Aleppo Syria in a Christian neighborhood which is still known as "Hay Al-Surian" (The Assyrian Quarters).


From Syria and Turkey tens of thousands of Assyrians migrated to Europe and took with them the memories of their past suffering in their historic homeland. In recent decades they brought to the attention of the European parliaments of Sweden, Germany and Netherlands the oppression which they had suffered at the hand of the Turks and the Kurds.


In 2002 a petition was presented to the Swiss parliament asking it to acknowledge and condemn Turkey's racial cleansing of the Assyrians in collaboration with the Kurds but the resolution failed to pass short of two votes. During the last few years Assyrian organizations in Europe have worked hard to prevent Turkey from joining the European Union unless it acknowledges the horrible racial cleansing it committed against the Assyrians and provide greater rights to the Turkey's national and religious minorities.


Published in Al-Quds Al-Arabi Newspaper on
5- 5- 2002 - Issue No. 3960

 

Who are the Christians of Iraq? 

The eagerly awaited Assyrian dictionary by Gabriel Afram March 7.05

Torment of the Assyrians of Turkey after world war one by the Turks and the Kurds March 5, 05

The Tragic Situation of the Assyrians of Barwari Bala March 4, 05 

The persecution of the Christians in Iraq March 2, 2005

Relentless pressures drive Christians from the Middle East  March  1, 05

Iran Sentenced Protestant clergyman to three years in prison  March 1, 05 

Demonstrators Protested The disenfranchisement of the Assyrians in Iraqi Elections in Front of UN  Feb. 27, 05

Assyrian Christians of Iraq wanted to vote but were not allowed. Feb. 27, 05

Is Christianity Growing in Iram? Feb. 26, 05

Letters of Protest to the Independant Elections Council of iraq  Feb. 24, 05 

Assyrians a forgotten minority  Feb. 24, 05 

SAT-7 to Broadcast First TV Show Made by and about Iraqi Christians Feb. 24, 05

Iraqi Assyrians are victims of Kurdish ethnic cleansing Feb, 23, 05

Amid the chaos of Iraq's war, the cradle of civilization is being looted Feb. 23, 05

Assyrians from the fall Nineveh to the Present Feb. 20, 05

Iraqi Prelate Confident Exiled Christians Will Return Feb. 20, 05

Fertile Crescent' treasures debut Gallery at university's Oriental Institute Feb. 18, 05

Iraqi exile voters put Chaldo-Assyrian Christian in Iraqi assembly Feb. 16, 05

Assyrian demonstrations protest Iraqi voting lock out Feb. 16, o5

Assyrians to Protest at the United Nations against Unfair Iraqi Elections Feb. 15, 05

ASSYRIAN CHRISTIANS DAILY PERSECUTED IN IRAQ Feb. 14, 05

Assyrian Christians Here Say Iraq Vote Unfair Feb. 14, 05 

Iraqi Militant Group Claims Kidnapping of a Christian Feb. 13, 05

preliminary list of the Assyrians/chaldeans and syriac representatives elected   Feb. 13, 05

To Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles President of the European Parliament Feb 14, 05

Protest in Europe to Bring Attention to the Iraqi voting Injustice  Feb. 12, 05

The Struggle for Survival of Iraq's Christian Assyrians Feb. 11, 05

AUA appeals to World Governments to restore voting rights to Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs and Yazidis Feb. 11, 05  

Iraqi Assyrian Christians Flee to Safer Ground  Feb. 10, 05

Iraq electoral commission admits ballot box irregularities In the Christian Assyrian Region Feb. 07, 05

Provisional Iraq election results from US show Assyrian strength Feb 06, 05

Possible Outcome of Iraq's Vote for the Assyrians Feb. 06, 05 

In Iraq, ancient minority flees atrocities Feb. 06, 05

Iraqi Turkmen Accuse Kurds of Voting of Fraud  Jan. 30, 05

KDP Statement about Kurds Preventing Assyrians From Voting in North Iraq  Jan. 06, 05

Assyrians Protest Iraqis Protest Voting Irregularities Feb. 06, 05

Losing the Language of Jesus  Feb. 3. 05 

Christian Assyrians Face Obstacles in Iraqi Elections Feb. 3, 05

US Dominicans Contacting UN, US Officials in Attempt to Restore Right to Vote for 150,000 Iraqis Feb. 02, o5

One dictatorship replaced with another!  Feb. 2, 05 

Iraqis Report a Variety of Complaints About Irregularities on Election Day Feb 2, 05

Iraqi Christians claim their votes blocked   Feb. 2, 05

Assyria: 150,000 Chaldo Assyrians Protest Their Exclusion From Voting  Feb. 2, 05

London's Assyrians: Babylon or Bust  Fen. 01, 05

ADM Press Release protesting the prevention of the Assyrians in northern Iraq from voting.    Jan. 31, 05

Chicagoan's 'so happy' to cast Iraqi ballot  Jan. 31, o5

Iraq's Christians Disenfranchised at Home and in U.S. Jan. 31, 05

Assyrians Prevented By Kurds From Voting in North Iraq  Jan. 30, 05 

Iraqi Christians Flourished Long Before Muslims Jan. 30, 05

Assyrians Prevented from Voting in Northern Iraq Jan 30, 05

Pictures of the Assyrians Voters Celebrating  Jan 30, 05

Iraqi Christian Voters Hope for Security Jan. 30, 05

Assyrians of Modesto Travel to Los Angeles to Vote   Jan, 30, 05

Arizona Assyrian Iraqis travel to California to vote Jan. 30, 05

Assyrian Family sees both sides of election  Jan. 30, 05 

Assyrian Christians Protest Iraqi Election with Crucifixion/Fast in New York! Jan. 29, 05

Misinformation about Assyrians From a Finnish Immigration Official  Jan, 28, 05

Artifacts Give the Ancient Assyrian Side of the Old Testament Story  Jan. 28, 05

Iraqis in Canada prepare to hit the polls Jan. 28, 05

Iraqi Christians Pray and Brace for Election Outcome  Jan. 27, 05 

Campaign in London to Save Assyrian Christians Jan. 26, 05

Ex-archbishop in fight to save ancient Christians Jan. 24, 05

Trek to democracy Ariz. residents heading to LA to register, vote Jan. 23, 05

Iraq Overseas Voter Registration Extended   Jan. 22, 05

Map and Driving Directions to the Iraqi Voter Regestration center 

To Vote in Iraq's Elections in California 

Apathy and apprehension keeping Iraqis from registering, official says Jan. 22,  05 

Iraq Overseas Voter Registration Extended   Jan. 22, 05

Travels of the First Assyrian to the New World

Disenfranchising the Diaspora  Jan. 19, 05

Critics: Limited number of Iraqi po lling places in United State disenfranchises Christians Jan. 19, 05

CSI Founder Welcomes Release of Kidnapped Archbishop in Iraq Jan. 19, 05

Local Iraqis make long journey  Jan. 18, 05

Seyfo: The Unmentioned Genocide of the Assyrians during world war one Jan. 18, 05

I prayed and was ready for the worse, says the Bishop of Mosul Jan. 18. 05

Many Iraqis travel far to register to vote Jan. 30  Ja n 18, 05

Relief after kidnapped Iraqi archbishop is released Jan, 18, 05

Kurdish Attacks on Assyrians in Iraq Intensify As Election Nears  Jan. 17. 05

Christian Assyrian Heritage of Iraq Before Islam  Jan. 16, 05

Armed Kurdish Groups Terrorize Assyrian Town in Iraq Jan. 15, 05

Muslims Identify Christians as Western Enemies Jan. 14, 05

BABYLON TRASHED Jan. 15, 05 

Iraq expatriates want vote Jan. 14, 05

Iraqi Christian campaigns struggle Jan. 14, 05

"Assyrian dreams of going back for vacation, taking his kids to Nineveh"  Jan.23, 05

Iraqis here to have say in nation's Jan. 30 elections Jan. 13, 05

Local Iraqis in Chicago to Vote with Hope Jan. 12, 05 

Petition to Protest Iraq Out-of-Country Voting Program's Discrimination of ChaldoAssyrians Jan. 11. 05

Locals face long trek for voice in Iraq vote Jan. 11, 05

To Vote in Iraq's Elections in California  Jan. 5, 05 

Who to Vote For?  Jan. 11, 205

Assyrian National Gathering (Assembly) Jan. 11, 05

Terrorism Strikes All Iraqis, Says Patriarch Jan. 11, 05

Pastor tells of his visit to Baghdad Jan 10, 05 

A Look At Iran's Christian Minority Jan. 1- 05

Assyriska rises to Sweden's promised land  Jan. 6, 05

Good News from Midyat Turkey Jan. 8, 05 

Christians flee genocide as fear sweeps Iraq  Jan. 8, 05

Will the indigenous Christians of Iraq surviv e? Jan. 6, 05

Members of ancient Turkish Christian community try to get back to normal  Jan, 6, 05

Paticipating in Iraq's Elections Jan. 2005 

Chaldean population in Sterling Heights to take part in shaping new Iraq  Jan. 4, 05

Minority Christian groups want more parliamentary clout  Jan. 4, 05

Egypt frees Christians detained over December unrest  Jan 4, 05

Bleeding of the Week  Jan. 3, 05 

World's Assyrians savour Swedish soccer saga Jan. 2, 05  

Christians provide their own security for Christmas  Dec. 25, 04

Wearing one seen as way to avoid violence Dec. 25, 04

New Hope of Syrian Minorities: Ripple Effect of Iraqi Politics Dec. 29, 04 

Iraqi Christians in Jordan Cite Bombs, Intimidation Dec. 25, 04

Iraq's Christmas Spirit: Fear Dec. 25, 04 

Christmas in Iraq  Dec. 25, 04   

Iraqi Refugees will not Be Home For Christmas Dec. 24, 04

Is Iraq Another Yugoslavia? Dec. 23, 04

Kurds: Bombers are militant splinter group Dec.23, 04 

USCIRF Letter to President Bush about the Non-Moslems in Iraq Dec. 21, 04

Christian orphans stuck in limbo in Iraq  Dec. 21, 04

Christian Plight in Iraq Dec. 21, 04

Chaldo-Assyrian Community of Iraq Dec. 21, 04

Despite Fear of Attacks Baghdad Christians celebrate birth of Christ Dec. 21 ,04 

Churches attacked in Mosul. Christians Kidnapped and Injured  Dec. 20 ,04

Christmas services canceled by fearful Iraqi Christians Dec. 20, 04

Turkey, the EU and the Assyrians  Dec. 20, 04

Voting ProceduresFor the Out Country Iraqi's  Dec. 16, 04

Iraqi Christians to Take Role in Elections DC. 15, 04 

Updated: Oppression and Murder of the Assyrians in Iraq Dec. 10, 04

Iraq's besieged Christians weigh taking up arms, fleeing into exile  Dec. 12, 04

Pope expresses concern about recent terror attacks against Iraqi Christians Dec. 8, 04

Iraq Churches Bombed; 1,000th American Killed  Dec. 7, 04

1,500 members to protect Christians in northern Iraq Dec. 4, 04

Christianity Under Fire In Egypt  Dec. 6, 04

Interview with younadam Kanna of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM)  Dec. 5, 04

Kurd's Tactics to Divide Assyrians into Insignificance Dec. 3, 04

The Advantages of a Governate Region Versus Safe Heaven  Dec. 1. 04

AINA: Appeal for a ChaldoAssyrian Safe Haven in Northern Iraq  Nov. 30, 04

Iraq's Christian Minority Under Threat Nov. 29, 04

More and more Christians Fear Life in Iraq Nov. 29, 04

Appeal for a ChaldoAssyrian Safe Haven in Iraq  Nov. 24, 04

Interview with Archbischop of Kerkuk - Louis Sakko Nov. 24, 04

US support seen as 'disaster' for Christian minority in Iraq Nov. 23, 04

Iraqi Christians seek U.S. support  Nov. 23, 04

A Conference for the Defense of Human rights for Minorities in Iraq  Nov. 18, 04

U.S. Must Protect Iraq's Christians  Nov. 16, 04

The Coming Elections in Iraq and the Expatritots  Nov. 15,04

The Ethnic Cleansing of christians In Iraq Continues  Nov. 13, 04

Northern Iraq's Mosul Tense After U.S. Air Strikes Nov. 12, 04

Bombs explode at Baghdad Orthodox churches Nov . 8, 04

Militants bomb Orthodox church in Baghdad  Nove. 8, 04

Is Mosul Next after Falluja?  Nov. 7, 04

Companions in suffering: An Interview with Thea Halo Nov. 6, 02

Iraqi Christians Face Escalating violence: Urgent Appeal For Help  Nov. 4, 04

Update of Opression and Murder of the Assyrians in Iraq Nov. 4, 04

Two Assyrians Killed in Syria  NOv. 3, 04

Assyrian Family Attacked in Baghdad, Two Killed  NOv. 2, 04

Restoring Sanity to Iraq  Oct. 25, 04

Apeal for an Administration region for the Christians of Iraq  Oct. 24, 04

Kurd's Confiscation of Assyrian Villages  Oct. 25, 04

Christians of Iraq under Siege Oct. 25, o4

 Archives