Hasakah commemorates 111th anniversary of Sayfo Genocide

Today, the Syriac community in Hasakah marked the 111th anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide, which were carried out by the Ottoman authorities against Syriacs in 1915.

On this occasion, prayers were held at the Virgin Mary Church in the Al-Nasra neighborhood of Al-Hasakah in memory of the victims of the massacres. The ceremony was attended by clergy members as well as social and political figures.

Following the prayers, participants gathered in the church hall, where speeches highlighted the importance of commemorating the anniversary and preserving the historical memory of peoples who have been subjected to genocide.

In this context, the co-chair of the Syriac Union Party in Hasakah, Fadi Dawi, stated that the Massacres “represent a deep wound in the memory of the Syriac people.” He added that “the Ottoman Empire drew its borders with blood, and Syriac and Christian blood was among the first sacrifices, before the crimes expanded to include the Armenian people and various other ethnic and religious communities that were not spared from its brutality.”

The Syriac Cultural Association also presented a play titled “We Are Still Here,” portraying the massacres suffered by Syriacs during the Sayfo events, including killings, forced displacement, and violations against civilians.

The commemorative activities concluded with a march to the Syriac Martyrs Memorial, where participants carried candles in remembrance of the victims.

ANHA