Syriac intellectuals call for support to Nineveh

Members of Platform Turabdin (Syriac Intellectuals and Activists Discussion Group) released a press statement for drawing attention to the violence against Christians during the Mosul Operation. 

Here is the press statement:

“Nineveh belongs to the children of Nineveh”

“Nineveh Plain's ancient children Assyrian Syriacs were forced to leave their historical motherland due to the occupation of barbaric ISIS army in 2014. In Mosul (Nineveh), ISIS marked the doors of Assyrian Syriacs with the letter 'nun' (short for Nasrani/Christian in Arabic) and openly expressed that our people is their target. Indeed, given all the actions of ISIS, it is obvious that they aim to displace all the Christians, especially Assyrian Syriacs, from Middle East and destroy all the traces of these people. As a result, hundred of thousands Assyrian Syriacs in Syria and Iraq were forced to leave their land. Also, tens of historical churches and cultural heritage of Assyrian civilization had been plunged and destroyed. Notwithstanding that ISIS is the tool of these barbaric attacks against our people and other oppressed peoples like Yazidis, we also know the masterminds and supporters. The ones who created and directed ISIS are objecting the Mosul operation today. They are the ones who wish to execute the project of a region with a single religion and sect. They are the ones who promote the lie that Mosul is a Sunni city. ISIS is a tool of these dark forces promoting this mentality. Mosul was handed over to ISIS two years ago, which we consider as the part of this plan. It is obvious that Peshmerga forces, who are not criticizing themselves concerning this matter, won't be willing to protect Assyrian Syriac, Yazidi, Shabak people and other minority groups in the future as well. Likewise, central Iraqi government also failed in protecting the minorities. These minority groups can have a future only in an autonomous region that is liberated from ISIS and in trust and supervision of UN. Furthermore, in order to prevent another genocide against the minority groups, EU should from a “Minority Commission” for guaranteeing the safety of these peoples. There is no other way for these peoples to live in their historical motherlands with their identities. Thus, we, as Assyrian Syriac intellectuals, urge all conscientious people and civilized governments to act in solidarity in order that children of Nineveh can safely live in their land. We believe that we will triumph in our war against the darkness. We respectfully greet all the oppressed peoples and the ones who fight in this war and died for this cause.”