SYRIA: EXECUTION OF THREE ASSYRIAN CIVILIANS

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Syria, is causing irrevocable damage to the native people, minorities, ethnic and religious groups. From the beginning of the fall of Mosul city until today, Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people and Ezidis had been subject of killings, executions, ransom and mass-displacement.

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In recently published video by ISIS and reported by various Middle East media outlets, it is shown the execution of three Assyrian civilians from the villages of Khabour region near Hassake city and asking for the ransom for the rest abducted people. Following the blitzkrieg on the 35 Assyrian villages of Khabour on the month of February, ISIS abducted more than 250 civilians including women and children. In different times, ISIS released score of people from the captivity. To date, more than 200 civilians are still abducted by ISIS.

The fate of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people in the region remain in the critical point as the dominant regional and international powers failed to reach a viable consensus on the hard issues of the region, namely the fight against ISIS. International coalition against ISIS has the moral and historical to stand with the minorities, ethnic and religious entities in the region by easing their suffering, accepting their demands and secure them territory.

International community, regional actors and Middle East states must put the protection of minorities on the top of the agenda and as a priority. The protection of minorities and vulnerable groups is essential for the future existence and co-existence. We renew our call to the international community, United Nations, European Union, United States, Russia and Middle East countries and civil society organisations around the world to highlight the situation of minorities and Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people and address their demands.

We in the European Syriac Union, condemn in the strongest terms possible the execution of three innocent civilians from the Assyrian Khabour region. The killing of civilians constitutes a crime against humanity and war crimes. International community must act rapidly against these crimes. Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people have the imperative task and responsibility to stand with their brethren in the ancient land of Mesopotamia by raising their voices and advocating for the demands of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrians in all platforms and occasions.