The Assyrian International News Agency (AINA) reported that blame is being leveled at the Iraqi government’s lack of response, as well as what AINA dubbed inaction by Coalition forces in the face of mounting attacks against areas heavily populated by Christians.
According to AINA, the primary focus of the community's concerns now centers on the deteriorating security situation of the Assyrian Christians in the Dora neighborhood of Baghdad, located a few miles southwest of the city. Prior to the war, the predominantly Christian neighborhood was home to over 5000 Christian households. Since the war and the subsequent insurgency, most people have fled the area.
Some observers have noted that the recent threats and attacks have escalated proportionately as the insurgents have experienced increased attacks. On May 18, St. George Church was burned down by Islamist arsonists. The same church had survived an earlier bombing along with five other churches on Oct.16 2004. On May 20, Fr. Hanna was kidnaped in Baghdad.
AINA reported that in April Christian residents of Dora were given an ultimatum to either pay the jizya, a "protection" tax demanded by the Koran, convert to Islam, or leave. Those choosing to leave were reportedly not allowed to take their possessions with them, as these were said to "now belong to the mosque."
At least 21 families unable to circumvent the insurgent forces besieging the neighborhood have found refuge in nearby churches, AINA reported. The church burning has heightened fears that even churches are no longer safe for Assyrian Christians.
AINA stated that on May 18, the Patriarch of the Ancient Church of the East, Mar Addai II reportedly stated that, "only the families that agree to give a daughter or sister in marriage to a Muslim can remain." Moreover, homes not yet seized by force are being increasingly legally signed over by family members of hostages in exchange for their relatives release.
Despite numerous appeals to U.S. and Iraqi government forces, Christian community leaders have not seen repeated assurances of assistance materialize. AINA reported that one observer angrily noted, "Whether unwilling or unable, Iraqi forces along with Coalition forces have refused to assist us in any meaningful way. We have had numerous meetings with Iraqi and American security forces to underscore the severity of the crisis facing our people, and yet have not had any response."
Already viewed with suspicion by the Islamist insurgents as collaborators with American "occupation" forces, AINA reported that Assyrian Christians have often borne the brunt of reprisals by radical Islamics.
In a rare condemnation, the Assyrian Patriarch of the Chaldean Church, Mar Emmanuel Delly, lashed out against U.S. forces who occupied Babel College, the former theological center of the Chaldean Church, without the Church's consent.
AINA reported that Mar Delly chastised the Iraqi government, as well as "all those in power who did nothing and are doing nothing to stop this tragedy." One observer told AINA, "not only aren't the Americans helping us, but they are fueling the reprisals against us by operating out of Babel College."
Although some concentrations of Assyrians remain in the Baghdad area, AINA reported the vast majority of the population in the country has been decimated. According to the United Nations, more than half have already left the country entirely, with still more joining the ranks of the internally displaced.
AINA reported that in Basra, Iraq's second largest city to the south, the Christian community has almost entirely vanished. In Karkuk, Assyrians live under political pressure from Kurdish groups and the ongoing fear of civil strife. In Mosul, rising fundamentalism and sectarianism have caused many to flee.
In the only relatively stable area to the north, many Assyrian Christians are settling in the ancient historic heartland of Assyria, in the Nineveh Plain. But here as well, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) paramilitary forces intimidate and sometimes assassinate Assyrian leaders not toeing the KDP line.
AINA reported that one leader said, "The KDP has opportunistically used the current crisis to squash any independent Assyrian political expression and representation." Assyrians are referred to as "Christian Kurds," and assistance is contingent on agreement to incorporate the last remaining Assyrian region into a wider Kurdish occupied region.
Forced to choose between Islamist terror and Kurdification, the overwhelming majority of Assyrian Christians have chosen to leave the country. With over half of the population now gone, AINA reported that the word genocide has slowly begun to creep into the war's lexicon.
AINA reported that Jackie Bejan, a prominent Assyrian American activist, said, "There are many who think that we are now witnessing another cycle of genocide, very similar to the one inflicted upon our people in 1915 by the Ottoman Turks (and Kurds) ...What is happening now to the Iraqi Christians and other minorities is certainly and rapidly approaching all requirements and measurements of the most horrific crime against humanity, genocide."
There is widespread concern about the real danger that the community will ultimately be unable to sustain itself. AINA reported that one observer lamented, "By design or by neglect, the net effect is the same, the potentially irreversible loss of the indigenous Christian community in Iraq. Unless something is done and quickly, the lasting legacy of this war will be the genocide of the Christians and other minorities of Iraq."
Assyrian leaders are demanding immediate assistance to the besieged Dora residents. AINA commented that if U.S. and Iraqi forces are genuinely unable to secure the Dora neighborhood of Baghdad, then Assyrian Christian residents wanting to flee ought to be assisted with a secure evacuation for resettlement in the Nineveh Plain in an Assyrian secured safe haven or administrative area free of KDP occupation with adequate resources to allow them to remain and survive within the country.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission
Original publication date June 5, 2007
