Chemical Ali Payday For His Anfal Campaign Against Assyrians

[Rumtaya]

It is really not in my interest to harm or to make anger. If you just knew what did and is still happining to Assyrians behind the szens you might understand me better then.

One example of the 1920´s, when Assyrians fleed Urmia,Hakkari,Tur Abdin,Diyarbakir and arrived in the refugee camp of Baquba, the British didnt care about the refugees they abused them to build their rail ways, they used their situation to take them into their army to secury their interests in Iraq i.e. to help forming this devil state.

Some years later as Assyrians tried the whole time to have a voice in the "leage of nations" to have state the brits betrayled on us and send all the represents away i.e. didnt allow them to attend the conference. around the end of 20´s French started talks with Assyrians promising them an State if they would form an Army, that Army was formed but with few people. So Assyrians went to those from Iraq telling them we need your help, the british managed to get talkes with French promising them 25% of mosul oil if they would leave the assyrians and not helping them to form a state. Britian went then own promisng Assyrians a State in the Mosul Vialleyt, but what they were doing was something you can tell "cruel intentions". Then the Assyrians went on we want to be ressetled back to hakkari, they went with weapons to fight the turks. The british said no you cant go back stay here we help you, they tooked the weapons of the Assyrians and shoot some of them, so that Assyrians wouldnt make a revoult against the British. After that the Brits said we gonna settle you in northern Iraq to those who were forced out of Urmia,Hakkari etc. You know where they settled us? In places infected with malaria and other things which caused the death of again thousand of Assyrians.


Then around 1933 Assyrians were fed up with that all and start revoulting against the Brits, the Brits then started letting the Arab population to make anti Assyrian propaganda, where the Arabs puplished bad things about Assyrians. Keep in mind that this was plan of Britian. Then the Semele Massacre took places causing again the death of thousand unarmed women,children and older people. Guess what Britian said to the leage of nations? The league of nation wanted to end the mandate of the British their, so they had to make a plan how to stay there and influence the area. Their plan went really good, they said to the league of Nation, you see we cant leave Iraq we have to stay their for the sake of Assyrians, because they still arent guranted same rights as the other population and they even were genozide.

Why I am saying this is because I cant let anyone to tell me that Assyrians dont want their own area and that they rather be called "Kurdistani Christians" please dear Kurds in this forum dont get pissed of because I may sound rude and full of hatred against you guys. I aint it just I dont want Assyrians(chaldean,syriac) to give up if we would then the plans of turks, the brits and the french would become true. They took away our homeland, They took away our organisation(the brave fighters who fought for their families and their lives) which managed to resuce so many thousand of Assyrians (thats why I am here). They have unarmed us, left us naked against the "enemy" beeing slaughterd like sheeps over and over again. At the end they even took away our pride left us like a abused person in the corner.

My Grandperants took what they had and left northern Iraq for khabour in northeast Syria, can you imagine walking hundred or nearly thousand kilometres by feet? Many starving on the way, left behind their newborn 2 decades of running and now it countinuse again. This time its the American who made us and other people of that land in the situation my fellow people are now. They have to sell their bodies to feed their children!

So I get very angry, when someone says something against the Assyrian Nation. You just cant make any claims without knowing why there is no unity why there is diffrent churches. Why Assyrians are in that situation they are now. Why they have just few people in their ancestral homeland.

Guys I am defenitly not against an Kurdistan, I suppourt your freedom as I suppoured it for everyonelse who is in opression. But as racist as it sounds I will never ever accept Southern Kurdistan in the size the KRG wants it, I just cant I would betraly the thousands or millions that left their life for that earth. That gived their life to let the others live(me, my perants,my cousins and other assyrians).

And it is also stupid that saying Assyrians had a good time under Saddam, if we would have one we wouldnt have so many diaspora Assyrians, we wouldnt have Assyrians beeing givin arab names. Assyrians of some forgot their motherlanguage and replaced it with arabic a language and ethnic which was forced on them.

We just cant switch over from Iraqi Christians to Kurdistani Christians I really dont want to sound racist so you guys need to understand me.

I really hope that the KRG isnt abusing the Assyrian situation jus to show the western world "look we are building homes,churches etc. for the Christians" so that they gain suppourt. What I wish is honest work between our nations. Work which might end up in a glory future of love and joy for eachother. There is nothing worser then beeing left alone in the cold. Like you guys say You have the mountains, but what do we Assyrians have? We have God yes and I am sure he will be always with us and with other nations who are looking to be rescued from him. But it comes to a point were you need to keep the faith a thing of your heart and start looking for your rights as a human and at our times as a Nation.


This post might give you some points of my feelings.

[Piling]

Can you explain where is the "real" homeland of Assyran nation ? Because Christians living since centuries in Zakho, Sanate, Pêsh Khabur, Duhok, Hewlêr, Silêmanî, Qala Dize, etc, lived side by side with other Kurds, muslims, jewish and sometimes yezidis. And now that is a fact : around zakho the usual villages are shared in 3 or 2 parts : yezidi, christian, muslim. What kind of ethnic cleansing you like ?

And that is wrong to say that assyrians have no mountains : christians in Kurdistan live in the same mountaneous areas than other Kurds or Jews before.

Concerning the bad situation and the tragic fate of Assyrians/Chaldeans/Suryanis after the WWI, I know that. I have even the reports of the League of Nations concerning their setttlement (and then a lot of Christians in Iraq or Kurdistan came from the new "Turkey" in fact). But a new "ethnic diasplacement" for obliging assyrians to live in Niniveh would not be better.

About the building of churches, you don't seem to realize how it is imprtant for people : it is the rebirth of their villages, and the affirmation that it will stay a christian village for ever. Perhaps you don't care, but they care. I assisted to 2 or 3 inaugurations of new churches and christians came from everywhere, not only Iraq but even Canada to see the ceremony.

But a thing is sure : they don't want to fight against Kurds. And the notion of "Kurdistani citizen" I have heard it from the bishop of Amaddiyya, Mar Raban, it is not my own invention.

[Rumtaya]

Can you explain where is the "real" homeland of Assyran nation ? Because Christians living since centuries in Zakho, Sanate, Pêsh Khabur, Duhok, Hewlêr, Silêmanî, Qala Dize, etc, lived side by side with other Kurds, muslims, jewish and sometimes yezidis. And now that is a fact : around zakho the usual villages are shared in 3 or 2 parts : yezidi, christian, muslim. What kind of ethnic cleansing you like ?

We are not the one for ethnic cleansing the neighbours ALL of them around us managed to do this against us, this is why our population is so low. Thats why our people are used to "just" look for their invidual rights as Humans. You seem just to talk about things and even dont think about it for 1 second. Chrstians? We arent the only Christians. If you like to refer to us then call us by the Name of our Nation. Because Christianty isnt owned by us its for everyone. Why are the Villages shared with diffrent religious groups? Why would Assyrians claim things, if those were all lies?

My family tribed owned alot of land in Hakkari, we had to leave that due to the Genozide. So the Turks/Kurds it is allowed to take over our villages, but when we come and say hey those areas are ours we have been forced and killed to leave those areas.

But I am not talking to size all the northern Iraq as an Assyria, that would just made us bad as our "kind neighbours" who have brought us to the misere we are in today.

And that is wrong to say that assyrians have no mountains : christians in Kurdistan live in the same mountaneous areas than other Kurds or Jews before.

We have no mountains, Assyrians are highlanders not mountainers. The mountains we lived are we just were there for 700 years fleeing the persucation in 1300 due to the timurlame slaughter.

Concerning the bad situation and the tragic fate of Assyrians/Chaldeans/Suryanis after the WWI, I know that. I have even the reports of the League of Nations concerning their setttlement (and then a lot of Christians in Iraq or Kurdistan came from the new "Turkey" in fact). But a new "ethnic diasplacement" for obliging assyrians to live in Niniveh would not be better.

oh you know about Assyrian History, then why dont you suppourt their struggle for self dertemation?

About the building of churches, you don't seem to realize how it is imprtant for people : it is the rebirth of their villages, and the affirmation that it will stay a christian village for ever. Perhaps you don't care, but they care. I assisted to 2 or 3 inaugurations of new churches and christians came from everywhere, not only Iraq but even Canada to see the ceremony.

But a thing is sure : they don't want to fight against Kurds. And the notion of "Kurdistani citizen" I have heard it from the bishop of Amaddiyya, Mar Raban, it is not my own invention.

I dont need someone to build me a Church, because he is building the church with plans for other things.

I need to be guarnted HUMAN RIGHTS, to have peace.

But a thing is sure : they don't want to fight against Kurds. And the notion of "Kurdistani citizen" I have heard it from the bishop of Amaddiyya, Mar Raban, it is not my own invention.

Noone is looking to fight the Kurds, why should we? We are fighting just for our Rights. A bird in a cage cant fly like one who flyes freely in the sky. you might understand that if you just think abit.

Thats what we are looking for:

[Piling]

We have no mountains, Assyrians are highlanders not mountainers. The mountains we lived are we just were there for 700 years fleeing the persucation in 1300 due to the timurlame slaughter.

But now since many centuries some christians, though syriac speakers, are fond of their villages in mountains, as so much as Kurds. This is their homeland. You can hope they will leave it, as Jews did in 1951, but it would be agaisnt their will. And KRG does not wish to hunt them, it helps them, at the contrary, to stay or to come back in their mountains. If these people are happy to live there,why expell them ?

oh you know about Assyrian History, then why dont you suppourt their struggle for self dertemation?

it depends what is included in that "self determination". If it means to clean a part of KRG of its yezidi and muslim elements I am opposed. If you decide to claim a "Assyrian State" in Niniveh, I am undifferent. Not against, not a support. Why should I care of it ? Nowadays all people try to fled this area. If you want to live there, do it.

I dont need someone to build me a Church, because he is building the church with plans for other things.

YOU don't need, but people there seem to need. So what is the problem? It is not with your money...

We are fighting just for our Rights.

But where, and for what and against WHO you'll fight ? That is the point. And how will you fight ?

The map is not so such precise but it seems to me that it includes Yezidi land. Do u think they are agree ? Or do u want to hunt them away from their villages ? From Lalesh ?

[Rumtaya]

But now since many centuries some christians, though syriac speakers, are fond of their villages in mountains, as so much as Kurds. This is their homeland. You can hope they will leave it, as Jews did in 1951, but it would be agaisnt their will. And KRG does not wish to hunt them, it helps them, at the contrary, to stay or to come back in their mountains. If these people are happy to live there,why expell them ?

Till 1960´s the proivnce known as Dohuk was full with Assyrians. You do not understand when I say Assyrians are Highlanders. I do not mean, that Assyrians shoudlnt live an mountainous areas. What I am saying is, that the Assyrian Homeland is mostly highland.



What expell, I am not expelling them. Why should the KRG hunt them? As long as they are not asking for national rights its ok. KRG opens their arm for "Christians" only!

But where, and for what and against WHO you'll fight ? That is the point. And how will you fight ?

The map is not so such precise but it seems to me that it includes Yezidi land. Do u think they are agree ? Or do u want to hunt them away from their villages ? From Lalesh ?

Why expell people? Not looking fo do so. The yezedis are one of our neighbours who had a good relation with us all those hundred of years. And I am sure that Yezedis are also looking to be in an amdinistrative area and not included to KRG nor Iraq.


So yeah. You went to Sarsing? Did you have talks with Assyrian politican from the ADM? What is their opinion? I dont not care what a church man says, he should keep his nose out of political stuff and better go into church and pray.

[Piling]

As long as they are not asking for national rights its ok. KRG opens their arm for "Christians" only!

yeah it is hard to imagine a government opning its arms to people asking its own destruction ! BTW they shelter even Christian or Muslim Iraqis from Bagdad or Bassorah who had any roots in the area. Difficult for a urban christian of Southern Iraq, only speaking Arab and Syriac to claim that Zakho is its "historical homeland".

The yezedis are one of our neighbours who had a good relation with us all those hundred of years. And I am sure that Yezedis are also looking to be in an amdinistrative area and not included to KRG nor Iraq.

Wrong. Yezidi were cursed and considered as satanists by both Christians and Muslims. And even now, some Christian refugees in Kurdistan crying for the KRG give them house and money but refuse to have in the same village Yezidi neighbours... Some Christians, especially in Ankawa, dislike Kurds, and they have also introduced some pratices of robbering which were not common in Kurdish cities. Don't think that all the members of a population are pure and innocent victims.

And concerning the integration or not of Sinjar and Sheixan within KRG, as for Kirkuk and Xanequin, it will be decided by the population itself, by a referendum. So we'll see what are the real wishes of Yezidis. But after the tragic attacks, they'll probably decide to be separated from iraqi regions. After all, they already ask for Peshmergas' help.

I dont not care what a church man says, he should keep his nose out of political stuff and better go into church and pray.

Well most priest in Kurdistan were since Mustafa Barzani's time with peshmerga, and while Anfal, they stayed with their people in mountains, as the Christian population AND the religious authorities in Bagdad and Mosul did make nothing to help their Northern brothers... Even the Pope chose to keep silent during Anfal, in the aim to keep a status quo with Saddam, who used of Christians in Iraqi cities as proofs of his "religious tolerance", while all villages in Kuridstan, Chaldeans, yezidis or Muslims were destroyed and the people slaughtered of expelled. I have a great respect for Chaldean priests who joined the resistance against Saddam and did not flee in Europe or USA but stayed with Kurds and their own Chaldeans. If you consider the past of current "Assyrian" political leaders, do you see the same honesty and integrity ?

[Rumtaya]

Stop refering to my people as Christians. And funny that you mention the Anfal forgetting that Assyrians had also their struggle against Saddam. Or why would Assyrian take up arms? You think of Assyrians just as some nationalists who want to assyrianize every "Christians" in Iraq. But guess what we fought also for our freedom and to get ride of Saddam!

Keep in mind Kurds where known in Iraq, but Assyrians were forced as arab Christians. I am not saying that Assyrians are the purest and the best noone is.

And even now, some Christian refugees in Kurdistan crying for the KRG give them house and money but refuse to have in the same village Yezidi neighbours

oh please, give me a source where one said this thing! But I give you a tip uneducated people declare Yezedis as satan worshipper.

Some Christians, especially in Ankawa, dislike Kurds, and they have also introduced some pratices of robbering which were not common in Kurdish cities. Don't think that all the members of a population are pure and innocent victims.

Ankawa is one of the most advantaged town in northern Iraq. Why arent the people of Ankawa in favour of Kurds? would you dislike someone who was always your friend and helped you?

You are not aware of the problems accurate between Kurds and Assyrians. You just see that what people present you and allow you to see.

The KRG suppourts only those "Christians" who voted in favour of the two major parties, but those who voted for the Assyrian List are not giving same rights as the one voiting for KRG parties.

And concerning the integration or not of Sinjar and Sheixan within KRG, as for Kirkuk and Xanequin, it will be decided by the population itself, by a referendum. So we'll see what are the real wishes of Yezidis. But after the tragic attacks, they'll probably decide to be separated from iraqi regions. After all, they already ask for Peshmergas' help.

The votes of Yezedis wont be enough to inclued the Nineveh Plains to KRG. BTW the Assyrian map I posted doesnt inclued Lalish, but it is very close to its boarder.

Difficult for a urban christian of Southern Iraq, only speaking Arab and Syriac to claim that Zakho is its "historical homeland".

Its a city, not a "homeland", we will see what the next years will bring us.

[Piling]

Stop refering to my people as Christians.

I call people as they call themselves. In Kurdistan, much of them say "I am Christian" to precise that they are not Kurd. Or they say "Kaldenî". I have seldom heard one of them telling "Assyrian", except a Kurdish policeman in the airport, which asked me if I were one ! Moreover, the term of "Assyrian" is modern. Syriac historians and writers called themselves "Syrian". The first mention of "Asurî", I red it in the Sharafname and it designs only the Christians of Hakkarî and a tribe near of Bitlis. I don't know if it was a tribe name or a way to name the people in general used in hakkari.

give me a source where one said this thing!

It was an official of the KRG answering to the complain of Christians arriving from Iraq. Some of them received more money than other refugees, (in fact muslim had nothing), and they complain as if it was a duty to the Kurds to give them money just because they are Christians... Moreover, concerning the churches, I did not precise that of course, villages are rebuilt around churches. And muslim Kurds who were settled in former christian houses are displaced. In Zakho, for example, there is an old church let in abandon and all around houses had been built by muslims. Nêçirvan ordered to destroy the houses, to restore the church and build new building exclusively aimed to shelter christians. In fact it is unjust toward other religions.

Ankawa is one of the most advantaged town in northern Iraq. Why arent the people of Ankawa in favour of Kurds? would you dislike someone who was always your friend and helped you?

But it is a fact. Christians coming from Iraq had often the same ideas than Arabs against Kurds and they don't like muslims in general. When you talk Kurdish, it is like a offence to their ears ! At the cotnrary, Christians who speak Syriac and Kurdish don't accept to hear Arab. For example, the bishop of Zakho told me that he refused to enter in a church where the mass was told in Arab. "Thousands or our youth died for not being arabized, I refuse to hear that !"

The votes of Yezedis wont be enough to inclued the Nineveh Plains to KRG. BTW the Assyrian map I posted doesnt inclued Lalish, but it is very close to its boarder.

Lalish is not even 10% of the yezidi territories. What about Sinjar and Shêkhan ? And what will you answer if yezidis state that they want to have their own land and not be ruled by "Assyrians" who are not even Kurds ? Do u believe that yezidis will be accepted to be a part of you "Assyria" ? That the most sacred lands of yezidis will be included in it ?
But we'll see the referendum, people should determine their own faith.

[Rumtaya]

I call people as they call themselves. In Kurdistan, much of them say "I am Christian" to precise that they are not Kurd. Or they say "Kaldenî". I have seldom heard one of them telling "Assyrian", except a Kurdish policeman in the airport, which asked me if I were one ! Moreover, the term of "Assyrian" is modern. Syriac historians and writers called themselves "Syrian". The first mention of "Asurî", I red it in the Sharafname and it designs only the Christians of Hakkarî and a tribe near of Bitlis. I don't know if it was a tribe name or a way to name the people in general used in hakkari.

The Vatican documents indicate that when the Chaldean Church was established by Sulaga in 1553, Pope Julius III proclaimed him patriarch of "Mosul and Athur" on Feb. 20, 1553. (Catholic Encyclopedia, "Chaldean Rite ", 1967, Vol. III, pp.427-428) Roman documents originally refer to Sulaga as the elected patriarch of "the Assyrian Nation". (Xavier Koodapuzha, "Faith and Communion in the Indian Church of Saint Thomas Christians, Oriental Institute of Religious Studies, Kerala, India, p.59)

According to the Chronicle of the Carmelites Sulaga was proclaimed "Patriarch of the Eastern Assyrians" but on 19, 4, 1553 he was redefined as the "Patriarch of the Chaldeans". Perhaps the change of mind was intended to distinguish between those who joined the Catholic Church verses those who did not or may be it was a matter of associating these new Catholics with the Nestorians of Cyprus who were labeled Chaldeans by Pope Eugene IV on August 7, 1445 after they joined the Roman Catholic church. (George V. Yana (Bebla), "Myth vs. Reality" JAAStudies, Vol. XIV, No. 1, 2000 p. 80)

That much to the chaldean Nation.

For sure the Assyrian Name cant be that old for people of my background. There is a simple reason 200 years ago most people in the middle East lived for their faith and around their church/mosuqe. But with the development of Nationalism which first accurate in Europe switched to the Middle Eastern areas. So Assyrians just like other people in the rest of the world start developing National feelings. As one Nation. Keep in mind this Nation is very young. And it doesnt make it easier for us to get united, because we are divided in diffren Church Sects. But you can just read up there, that the one who clal themselves Chaldeans are just a branch of the Church of the East who were reunied with the Roman Catholic Church.

It was an official of the KRG answering to the complain of Christians arriving from Iraq. Some of them received more money than other refugees, (in fact muslim had nothing), and they complain as if it was a duty to the Kurds to give them money just because they are Christians... Moreover, concerning the churches, I did not precise that of course, villages are rebuilt around churches. And muslim Kurds who were settled in former christian houses are displaced. In Zakho, for example, there is an old church let in abandon and all around houses had been built by muslims. Nêçirvan ordered to destroy the houses, to restore the church and build new building exclusively aimed to shelter christians. In fact it is unjust toward other religions.

Nice that the Goverment regocdinze that those towns and villages were Assyrians. Seems that they are doing a fair job. Give that back what belonged to people before Saddam displaced them.

But it is a fact. Christians coming from Iraq had often the same ideas than Arabs against Kurds and they don't like muslims in general. When you talk Kurdish, it is like a offence to their ears ! At the cotnrary, Christians who speak Syriac and Kurdish don't accept to hear Arab. For example, the bishop of Zakho told me that he refused to enter in a church where the mass was told in Arab. "Thousands or our youth died for not being arabized, I refuse to hear that !"

What coming from Iraq? Its all one country. They just go back to their hometowns. They dont go and seek refugee. I am not in favour also of Assyrians beeing pro Iraqis. So you see Assyrians had their fight against Saddam, some he managed to arabizes which is very Sad. But there were just Assyrian traitors like Kurdish ones who worked in favour of Saddam Hussein.

Lalish is not even 10% of the yezidi territories. What about Sinjar and Shêkhan ? And what will you answer if yezidis state that they want to have their own land and not be ruled by "Assyrians" who are not even Kurds ? Do u believe that yezidis will be accepted to be a part of you "Assyria" ? That the most sacred lands of yezidis will be included in it ?
But we'll see the referendum, people should determine their own faith.

We are not looking for to opress any people, we are not even in the place to do such a thing. Sinjara was not included in the map. Shekhan was but that will be a decision of the yezedis to include them self in a administrative Area or not. Just to let you know the area wouldnt be called Assyrian Province, since some other ethnics live there too.

I am not saying something new. The iraqi prime minister, the iraqi foreing minister and some of KRG minster said that Assyrians should have their own area. Sarkis Aghajan who works for the KDP is telling people vote for KRG we gonna have a autonomi in the areas shown in the map. So it is not my Idea. It of those politican in Iraq.

[Piling]

I know that Chaldeans designs only the branch linked with Roma and as they are the most numerous in Kurdistan, it is a commom name to design them.
Of course Assyrians and Chaldeans or whatever you want to call them could make their own region in a federal Iraq. The point is that currently, Niniveh and Mosul areas are the most dangerous area of Iraq. So practically, it is difficult, especially because a such region could only be claimed by referendum or census and nowadays, all Christian and Yezidi flee the region because they are a target for Takfiris.

Moreover, as you mentionned, these regions are not included in the KRG so it is the problem of Iraqi governement. And if some parts of them are integrated in KRG, I doubt that an autonomy could be secure against terrorist attacks. For the moment, in Sinjar and Shêkhan, it is peshmergas of KRG who protect the regions.

The other difficulty is that Christians go out of Iraq, so they lose more and more a political weight.