SORGUL ŞÊXO

Hesekê – Christians have faced many genocidal attacks; they have forcibly displaced from their homes 106 years ago during the Assyrian genocide, also known as Sayfo, and during the Simele massacre that took place 88 years ago. Forcibly displaced Christians settled in the Serêkaniyê and Til Temir cities of NE Syria. They built their villages and churches in these cities. Before the civil war broke out in Syria, many Syriac and Armenian families lived in Serêkaniyê but their number decreased after the civil war broke out. After Turkish troops entered Serêkaniyê, many churches in the city have been turned into stables, and Christians living in the city have faced many rights violations. Şam Qiryo, the head of the Syriac Women's Union in Syria, spoke to our news agency about the attacks on Christians.

“Christians have always faced massacres”

Stating that the existence of the Christian people in Serêkaniyê and Mesopotamia has a long history that cannot be ignored, Şam Qiryo said, “The Christian people are an ancient people and are landowners in Mesopotamia. They have always faced massacres in history. But our ancient civilization has managed to resist all attacks.” Christians faced massacre and rape during the Assyrian Genocide of 1915 carried out by the Ottoman Empire, Şam Qiryo said, “Before the genocide, the population of Christian people was 80 percent. The union between Syria and Egypt in 1970 triggered the migration of Christians. The number of Christians has decreased since then.”

“Syrian government gave Turkey the green light to invade Serêkaniyê”

The 2013 attack on Serêkaniyê affected the Syriac people, Şam Qiryo said, adding, “In those years, the Assyrian people were forcibly displaced due to ISIS. But some families returned to Serêkaniyê after the city was liberated by fighters. They rebuilt their houses and did agriculture again. Some of them left the country.  As a result of the international coalition established during the Astana talks launched by Russia, Turkey, and Iran, Turkey attacked Serêkaniyê. Turkey attacked the city after the withdrawal of US troops from the Turkish borders. The Syrian government also gave Turkey the green light to invade Serêkaniyê. The coalition's failure to impose the flight ban against Turkey in the airspace of Serêkaniyê caused Serêkaniyê to be invaded.”

“Their aim was to destroy the Democratic Nation Project”

They aimed to destroy the Democratic Nation Project by attacking Serêkaniyê, Şam Qiryo said, “The attack on Serêkaniyê was planned and carried out by big and influential states. Their aim was to destroy the Democratic Nation Project, embracing all nations. But the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), the Autonomous Administration forces, and the people of the region failed them. The Christian, Kurdish, Arab, Chechen and Yazidi peoples are friends and everyone respects the beliefs of the others. The basis of our life is on common life and fraternity. All nations were targeted in the attacks on Serêkaniyê. The aim of the attacks is to change the demographic structure and weaken the autonomous administration project.”

Call on USCIRF: Take action and find a solution

“The history repeats itself. Our historical heritages are at risk again. We call on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom to take action and find a solution against the atrocity of Turkish state against our churches in Serêkaniyê.”