Assyrian Martyrs’ Day commemorated in Tal Tamr

The Coordination and Consultation Committee of Syriac and Assyrian national parties in Syria commemorated Assyrian Martyrs’ Day during a ceremony held at the Hall of Saint George Church in the city of Tal Tamr. Political and religious representatives, as well as delegations from Kurdish, Arab, and Syriac communities, along with cultural and social figures, participated in the event.

The ceremony began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims, followed by speeches addressing the historical significance of the occasion and highlighting major events and massacres suffered by the Syriac-Assyrian people.

Speaking on behalf of the Syriac Union Party, Hasakah party official and General Council member Maha Shabo discussed the history of the Syriac-Assyrian people and the massacres and displacement they experienced. She said commemorating Martyrs’ Day provides an opportunity to remember the victims and emphasize the importance of preserving the people's identity, existence, and legitimate rights.

Shabo stressed the importance of uniting the efforts of Syriac-Assyrian parties and institutions and strengthening cooperation, particularly amid Syria's political changes. She emphasized the need to build a democratic state that guarantees the rights of all ethnic, religious, and cultural communities.

For his part, Barsoum Yousef, an official of the Revolutionary Organization, discussed the historical stages experienced by the Syriac-Assyrian people, remembering the victims of massacres throughout the 20th century. He noted that these memories remain deeply present in the collective memory of the community.

Yousef said that commemorating the occasion is not only about remembering the past, but also about learning from it and strengthening the community's commitment to its existence and identity. He called for continued peaceful, democratic, and legal efforts to guarantee the legitimate rights of all communities.

Meanwhile, Johnny Hermoz, a member of the Executive Committee of the Assyrian Democratic Party, said that August 7 is a day to remember the victims of the Simele Massacre and renew the commitment to the martyrs. He said the occasion goes beyond mourning, emphasizing the continued pursuit of freedom, justice, dignity, and the right to remain on their historic land.

Hermoz called for what he described as historical justice, including recognition of the massacres committed against the Assyrian people, particularly the Simele Massacre, and accountability for those responsible. He said the lack of accountability for previous crimes contributed to the recurrence of other tragedies, including the attacks on the Khabur villages by ISIS mercenaries in 2015.

He also stressed the importance of preserving Assyrian identity, language, and heritage; ensuring effective political participation; guaranteeing the safe presence of the community on its historic land; and achieving full citizenship based on equality while rejecting discrimination and exclusion.

The speeches at the event also addressed political developments in Syria. Speakers emphasized the importance of building a modern democratic state based on freedom, justice, and partnership, one that recognizes ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity and guarantees constitutional rights for all components of Syrian society.

The ceremony concluded with a visual presentation documenting the massacres suffered by the Assyrian-Syriac people throughout history.

ANHA