ASSYRIAN STRUGGLE

 

 

 

June 12, 2008

An Assyrian man assassinated in al-Mansour area in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media and Translation Desk
ANA ASHUR-Sources
12-06-2008

Monqeth Elias Issa was assassinated on June 09th, 2008 by unknown gunmen in al-Yarmouk neighborhood (al-Mansour district) in central Baghdad. The victim was riddled with bullets and the motive for the criminal act remains unknown.

The latest victim was born in 1967, married, the father of two girls and a boy, he was also known for being a good person.

May he rest in peace and may his family be consoled

 

May 12, 2008

Assyrian man killed in Karrada district in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media and Translation Desk

Baghdad-12-05-2008

According to reports from Baghdad, an Assyrian man named Kareem was killed in Karrada district in Baghdad.The victim owned a sewing store in the Karrada district (Arkheta Market) near the nuns hospital in Baghdad and the victim was well known in the area. In the details, that as a wedding procession was passing in front of the store they clashed with an armed group and shooting began which caused the death of Mr. Kareem.

The latest victim was responsible for two families and the father of five children, one of his daughters was supposed to marry very soon but the senseless voilent acts in Iraq keep claiming innocent lives

 

April 23, 2008

Malkizdak Yousif Malkizdak a new Assyrian victim
ANA ASHUR Media and Translation Desk

Baghdad-23-04-2008

Another Assyrian falls victim to violence and terrorism which is dominating Iraq. On Monday, April 21, 2008 as Mr. Malkizdak was on his way to work, a group of gunmen clashed with Iraqi and American forces, in the process he was killed and there were other victims as well. In today's Iraq even seeking to provide a living has become a very dangerous task.

Mr. Malkizdak Yousif Malkizdak was born in the Assyrian town of Ain Nouneh-Northern Iraq, he spent a part of his life in Kirkuk (Arafa) until he moved to Baghdad where he was accepted in the Teachers Academy in 1973, he graduated in 1975 and settled in the city following his appointment as a teacher in one of its elementary schools until his death. The newest victim joins other Assyrians who were killed on the land of their ancestors.

 

March 29, 2008

Bullets of treachery kill the Assyrian young man Sargon Zaher Aushana

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad-29-03-2008

The morning of the first day of celebrating Ressurection (Easter) Sargon went to Mar Elia (St Elijah) Church to worship. As the ceremonies ended he left to go home in order to celebrate with his family and friends but instead a group on unknown gunmen opened fire on Sargon with two bullets to the head.

He was transferred to hospital but the attempts to save his life failed and he died on the first day of Easter (Ressurection) on 23-03-2008.

March 15, 2008

An Assyrian young man killed in Bab el- Sharqi explosion in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad -15-03-2008
The explosion which occured in the area of Bab el-Sharqi in Baghdad on Thursday, March 13, 2008 claimed the life of a young Assyrian man. Funeral services will be held for Zaid Mikho on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Mar Boutros and Paulos (St. Peter & Paul) Cathedral for the Syrian Orthodox Church located in al-Sina'aa church in Baghdad.

March 15, 2008

An Assyrian woman from Bartilleh abducted

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
Bartilleh-15-03-2008
An Assyrian woman from Bartilleh was abducted three days ago by an unknown group who asked for a large ransom in return for her release.It was known that the abducted woman is a mother of five children.

March 15, 2008

A young Assyrian man assassinated in Mosul as he left Church

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Mosul-15-03-2008
Rani Yousip Hanna was killed infront of Mar Toma (St. Thomas) Church for the Assyrians in al-Nour neighbourhood in Mosul on Friday,March 14, 2008 as he left Church.Unknown gunmen approached Rani to abduct him but when he resisted and wanted to escape, they shot and killed him on the spot.
Rani and his family were forced to migrate to Syria three years ago because of terrorist threats against them, but he had returned to Iraq two weeks ago in order to finish few things and then go back to Syria.The young man's body was taken to his father's hometown of Tel-Keif (Tel Keppeh) where he was buried.

 

March 13, 2008
 Archbishop of Mosul confirmed dead by Patriarch Delly
 
 Baghdad-13-03-2008
 
 
He is dead and for the moment I can’t add anything more. I have no news about the body”. With these few words, the Patriarch of the Chaldean Church, His Most Eminent Beatitude Emmanuel Delly III, confirmed to MISNA the death of Monsignor Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Church Archbishop of Mosul who was abducted on Friday February 29 by unknown gunmen outside the church of the Holy Spirit in the eastern sector of the city.

March 10, 2008

An Assyrian man from Alqush killed in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Alqush-10-03-2008

Bassem Matti Bodo, was killed in Baghdad several days ago at the hands of unknown gunmen who riddled his car with bullets while he was driving near al-Zayouna area.

The victim was born in Alqush in 1968, married and the father of two boys and two girls.He had been living in Baghdad at Palestine street and owned a transport company.

Funeral services were held for Mr. Bodo in his hometown of Alqush on March 08, 2008

 

February 29, 2008

Archbishop of the Chaldean Church in Mosul abducted, his driver and two body guards killed

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA ASHUR
Mosul-Sources
29-02-2008

News from Mosul reported that the Archbishop of the Chaldean Church in Mosul, Faraj Raho was abducted Friday 29-02, 2008 between 3:00-4:00 p.m. while his driver and a body guard were killed.The second body guard died in hospital.

The kidnappers are still unknown and in the details that the Archbishop was abducted as he and his companions left the Holy Spirit Church in al-Nour neighborhood following the Holy Cross prayers.

No further news are available at the moment in regards to the Archbishop's fate.

February 16, 2008

An Assyrian woman killed in Sharanish

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Sharanish / Occupied Assyria -16-02-2008

Raghad Markus was killed on Sunday,10-02-2008 when she was hit by a stray bullet.The young woman born in 1985 was married five months ago.

February 03, 2008

An Assyrian man killed in the Spindle Market explosion in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad-03-02-2008

Douglas Pnuel Shmuel is the latest victim of terrorist actions in Iraq. The Assyrian man was killed on Friday, February 01st, 2008 when an explosion occured in the Spindle Market (Souk al-Gazel) in Baghdad.

January 30, 2008

A 14 year old Christian youth abducted in Kirkuk

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Kirkuk-ANA ASHUR
30-01-2008

An official source in the Kirkuk police operations mentioned that a 14 year old Christian youth was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in the area of Baghdad Road south of Kirkuk.

The source added that an investigation into the incident is under way.

January 06, 2008

A series of explosions target Churches in Baghdad and Mosul

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad & Mosul - ANA ASHUR
06-01-2008

Several Assyrian Churches of different denominations were targeted by several explosions on Sunday.

The following Churches were targeted: Mar Giwargis (St. George) in al-Ghadeer neighbourhood, the Daughters of Miriam Chaldean denomination Monastery in al-Zaafaraniya-Baghdad, The Catherines Chaldean denomination Monastery in Mosul, Mar Poulus (St. Paul) Church in al-Sa'aa neighbourhood in Mosul as well as The Daughters of Miriam Chaldean denomination Monastery in al-Nour neighbourhood.
A Greek Orthodox Church in al-Tayaran square was also a target.

It's to be noted that the explosions occured Sunday morning and in very close intervals.

January 02, 2007

Two Assyrian men killed in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad-Iraq

Nael Thomas Hanna was killed on January 01,2008 while he was paying his respects during a funeral in the area of Zayouna, al-Rabee'ei street .A suicide bomber blew himself up inside the place where the condolences were accepted. The victim was in his early 40's married with three children.It's also to be noted that his brother Maher (Sabah) was killed in another blast in New Baghdad two years ago.

According to sources another Assyrian man in his 20's was killed in the same blast, the victim was a university student and he was also paying his respects when the suicide bombing occured.

May they rest in peace and may their families be consoled.

It was reported that the explosion left 30 victims and 38 wounded who were transferred to Ibn al-Nafees hospital in Baghdad.

December 31, 2007

American forces kill an Assyrian Christian family in a Mosul suburb

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA ASHUR- Mosul
Nineveh-Assyria/ Iraq

A Christian family (man and his wife) were killed in their pickup vehicle when American forces shot at them in al-Tahrir neighborhood in Mosul.

The incident took place when the victim didn't notice the citizens who were trying to warn him about an American patrol and as he drove by, the American forces opened fire and the man and his wife were killed in cold blood. The bodies remained in the vehicle until an ambulance arrived at the scene.

An official source in Nineveh confirmed the incident this afternoon 31-12-2007 and said that the American forces killed the two victims following an explosion which targeted their patrol in al-Tahrir neighborhood north-east of Mosul.

December 09, 2007

Two Assyrian Christians murdered in Basra

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
Basra / Iraq

Usama Fareed and his sister Maysoon Fareed, residents of Basra were murdered on Sunday 2007-12-09 in the city of Basra- southern Iraq, by an unknown terrorist group.

December 09 2007

Christian girl killed by gunmen in Mosul

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Ninewa
Sunday , 09 /12 /2007

Ninewa, Dec 9, Unidentified gunmen killed a Christian girl in the area of al-Nabi Younes (the prophet Jonah) in central Mosul on Sunday, a police official said.
"Gunmen in a vehicle opened drive-by fire at the 24-year-old Christian young girl at al-Nabi Younes market, killing her instantly," Brig. Muhammad Abdul-Aziz al-Wakkaa, the director of Ninewa police operations room said. "The girl's body was removed to the morgue in Mosul," Wakkaa said, not giving further details on the incident.

December 06, 2007

Three Assyrians from Baghdida killed in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad
06-12-2007

An explosion in al-Karada district in Baghdad claimed the lives of three residents from Baghdida. The three victims are Haitham Sabeeh Toma born in 1975 and a father of two small children, Amer Aziz Hashko and his sister who were in the capital preparing for the wedding of Amer which was supposed to take place in three days.

May they rest in peace and may their families be consoled.

December 01, 2007

Assyrian woman from Baghdida killed near al-Khales

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdida

On Friday November 30th 2007, Lucia Matta Jameel was on her way back from Baghdad to her hometown Baghdida when she was shot in a cross fire between Iraqi forces and gunmen. The shooting took place in al-Khales, an area north of Baghdad and Lucia was transferred to a nearby hospital in the area where she was pronounced dead.

November 28, 2007

Abduction of an Assyrian monk in Tor Abdin/south-east Turkey

Sources from Turkey informed that the Assyrian monk Daniel Safji disappeared on his way back from Midyat to his residence in Mar Yacoub (St. Jacob) Monastery in the village of Saleh.Monk Daniel Safji is a priest of the Syrian Orthodox Church denomination.

Later on his disappearance was confirmed as being an abduction when unknown sources contacted both Mar Gabriel and al-Zaafaran Monasteries demanding a ransom of $300.000 dollars for his release.

No further information is available at this point regarding the monk's fate.

November 08, 2007

Car bomb explodes in Assyrian town of Tel-Skuf

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
Tel-Skuf / Assyria

A car bomb exploded on Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. in the town of Tel-Skuf near a Kurdish (Democratic) Party (Democratic). Tel-Skuf administratively follows Tel-Kef (Tel-Kepeh).

Preliminary results of the blast caused the death of a woman who used to work in daycare nearby and injured several other persons, in addition to destroying a part of the Tel-Skuf club building near shops and a building for nuns. It's worthy noting that the explosion occured in a residential area near an elementary school.

*ANA ASHUR: The Political Bureau had already issued statements condemning bombings which had occured in Assyrian villages and towns which targeted again Kurdish party offices. These parties don't take into consideration nor care for innocent lives lost every time such an explosion happens because of the presence of these Kurdish parties.

We repeat again that all the Kurdish party offices in our Assyrian villages and towns must be closed because it is an added fear and burden on our Assyrian people with all their denominations, since the first aim behind these Kurdish offices is to control and plant Kurdish thinking in the minds of future Assyrian generations in order to suppress in them the Assyrian national spirit and this is entirely refused.

We leave to the readers and those who follow events to decide who stands behind and who are the sole beneficiaries from such explosions

October 30, 2007

Assyrian man killed in Mosul

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Mosul-ANA ASHUR

Khaled Giwargis Sako was killed in al-Hadbaa neighborhood in Mosul.He was a member in St. Paul's Church group.

The victim had returned home from work when several shots riddled his body in front of his house, but the fatal wound was a bullet to the head. Khaled Giwargis Sako was born in 1971, married and father to three children, a boy in 4th grade, a daughter in 1st grade and another daughter in kindergarten

October 27, 2007

Assyrian man from al-Karrada murdered in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad-ANA ASHUR

Behnan Rehana al-Bijwaya, was approached on Septermber 27, 2007 by a group in police uniforms who claimed to be from the Ministry of Interior but instead he was abducted and his kidnappers demanded a ransom of $ 250000 which was reduced to $ 50000 Dollars. However, after they stole his car, his body was found on October 22, 2007 with apparent and visible torturing marks on it.

The victim was 45 years old, married and was a resident of al-Karrada district in Baghdad.

October 25, 2007

Assyrian surgeon kidnapped in New Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad

Dr. Khaled Boulus was abducted by unknown gunmen Wednesdy from his clinic located within the doctors compound in New Baghdad.There aren't any further news regarding this latest abduction.

Dr. Boulus is from the Assyrian village of Batnaya situated 12 km from Mosul.

October 24, 2007

Assyrian man from Batnaya abducted

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Batnaya

As he was shopping in the city's market, Khaled Habib Shaaya Zanbor was abducted Tuesday in Mosul.
The kidnappers contacted his family today and asked for a ransom of $20000 dollars for his release.
Khaled is married and father of four children

Another Assyrian man abducted near Kirkuk

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdida

Anmar Sleiman Yacoub Kasko was abducted near al-Howaija west of Kirkuk as he was driving back to Baghdida after finishing some work. The kidnapped man was born in 1988 and lives in the Assyrian town of Baghdida (Baghdedeh).

 

October 22, 2007

An Assyrian man killed in Mosul

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA ASHUR - Ankawa

Fawzi Aukania Apas was killed in Mosul today as he was driving in his car from Arbil.The victim was riddled with bullets in his car by unknown gunmen. The late Mr. Apas was born in 1968, he was married, a father of five children and was living in the Assyrian town of Ankawa.

His body was taken the same day to Mar Giwargis (St. George) Assyrian Church of the East in Shurash-Arbil where funeral services will be held.

ANA ASHUR: It seems that the fate of Assyrians is either to be chased out of their ancestral homeland, abducted by terrorists or killed at the hands of those who are supposedly protecting citizens, either way more victims are falling amongst the Assyrians, the concrete fact remains that the killings go without punishment and not only the voices of those who die remain un heard but also the voices of those alive are suffocated

October 21, 2007

An Assyrian young man from Ba'ashiqa killed by national guard bullets

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Ba'ashiqa-ANA ASHUR

Ayman Abdullah Ishaq Hanna, an Assyrian young man and the son of Fr. Abdullah Hanna, parish priest of St.Shmouni Syrian Orthodox Church in Ba'ashiqa was gunned down by a group of the national guard units as he was returning Saturday from Dohuk (Nohadra) to his home town.

It's believed so far that the killing happened by mistake, meanwhile funeral services for the victim were held Sunday morning at St. Shmouni Syrian Orthodox Church and the victim was laid to rest.

Two Assyrian young men abducted in Mosul

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Mosul-ANA ASHUR

Rami Talal Khaddo (20) and Duraid Saadi Matti (22) were kidnapped in Mosul yesterday. The two young men are general laborers, they're from the Assyrian village of Bartilla and they used to work in Mosul

October 19, 2007

Armed gunmen kill an Assyrian man in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad

On Friday, October 12, 2007, as Najah Salman Allous left his home in Baghdad al-Jadida (New Baghdad) going to work in his car on the Baghdad-Dora freeway, he was attacked by gunmen for no reason, they riddled him with bullets while in his car killing him instantly. According to police sources his body was found 3 days later on the freeway.

The victim was married, father of five children and a parishioner of the Chaldean Church, he was born in the Assyrian village of Telkef (Tel Kepeh) in 1960, was a graduate of the Industry School/Mechanics section.

October 14, 2007

Two Assyrian men abducted in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad

Nassim (Jimmy) Nouh Behnam and Nashwan Shaker Shaba were abducted by an armed group in Baghdad on Sunday morning.

The two Assyrian men are from the village of Karemlesh and they work in a local company in Baghdad

October 13, 2007

Two Assyrian Priests abducted in Mosul

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Mosul

Two Assyrian priests from the Syriac Church were abducted around 4:00 p.m. as they were heading from al-Thawra neighborhood to conduct mass at St.Fatima Church in al-Faisaliya neighborhood.

The two priests are Fr. Pius Affas and Fr. Mazen Eshou

October 12, 2007

Maysar Mansour Behnam al-Hanna Raheel murdered in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA ASHUR- Karemlish

Mr. Maysar Behnam was abducted by unknown gunmen on Thursday in Baghdad and he was found dead on Friday,12-10-2007. His body will be taken for burial in his village Karemlish. The victim had a brother named Malik Mansour and he was also murdered in Baghdad few months ago.

Another victim is added to the long list of innocent Assyrian victims and their death will once again be registered as murdered by unknown.

October 09, 2007

An Assyrian man killed in Mosul

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Mosul

Following the Sunday service in al-Tahira (The Chaste) Church in Mosul and after serving in the Mass, Bassam Yousif Elias left the Church and he disappeared. For days no one knew any thing about him until his body was found days later thrown in the street in one of Mosul's neighborhoods.

The barbaric acts of violence against the Assyrians (all denominations) continue while they remain to be passed on as against unknown assailants.

October 08, 2007

Two Assyrian men murdered in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA ASHUR- Baghdad

Two Assyrian men were murdered in the capital Baghdad at the hands of un identified armed gunmen.
They were identified as:

Samir Estephan Mikha Duda-assassinated on 3 \ 10 \ 2007.
Franso Ishak-assassinated on 7 \ 10 \ 2007.

October 01, 2007

Two Assyrian brothers abducted 4 months ago still missing

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad

An armed group abducted Duraid and Firas Hanna Nasser on May 31-2007 in Dora- Baghdad, Asia neighborhood in Mar Yacoub (St. Jacob) street where they resided. Duraid was born in 1975 and Firas in 1976.

It's been 4 months since their abduction and there hasn't been any news as to their fate

September 29, 2007

A frightful car bomb explosion shakes the Assyrian town of Baghdeda

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdeda

A horrific car bomb explosion shook the Assyrian town of Baghdeda around 1:00 p.m. Iraq time. According to the preliminary reports the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber in a pickup truck and it happened inside the market facing al-Rafidain bank in the town's center.

As per first reports at the scene three policemen were killed and two civilian residents from Baghdeda, they were identified as Evan Yousif Zora and Rabie Sabah Shandakh while the wounded whose number was estimated at 15 were transferred to the hospital with one of them being in a serious condition.

According to eyewitnesses, the police sealed off the area as the casualties were being transported to the hospital. However, no official statements or comments were issued by security authorities until this moment.

Baghdeda is an Assyrian town with a population of 30.000 who are Christians and the centre of al-Hamdaniya district. It's located about 20km north-east of Mosul

September 27, 2007

Another Assyrian young man from Bartilla killed

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Bartilla-Agencies
27-09-2007

The explosion of a car bomb at a check point between Mosul and Arbil on Wednesday, 26-09-2007 resulted in the death of a young Assyrian man Matthew Shamoun Boutros. A number of mortar shells also fell on the explosion area.

Funeral services were held today for the latest victim who was laid to rest in his hometown of Bartilla amid tears and sorrow.

September 27, 2007

An Assyrian man kidnapped in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad-Agencies
27-09-2007

Narsai Esha Youkhanna Goleat was abducted by armed gunmen at 7:00 p.m. the evening of September 24,2007 as he was heading to his home in al-Zayouna area in Baghdad.

According to Mr. Goleat's family the kidnappers demanded a ranson of $60000 dollars for his release but no further details were given.

September 18, 2007

A five year old Assyrian girl abducted in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Baghdad
18-09-2007

Maha Hanna al-Bidari a five year old girl was abducted in al-Saadoun neighborhood in central Baghdad. The kidnapping took place as the mother was heading with her daughter to visit some relatives in the area when an Opel make car stopped near them and two masked men asked them to get into the car.

In her attempt to flee the kidnappers, the mother ran into one of the stores in the area but the kidnappers were able to snatch the girl away from her mother and took her to an unknown destination. Till this moment the bereaved mother hasn't heard any news about her daughter.

Maha was born in 2002, she has a twin sister and the father died six months ago as a result of the violence acts which are taking place daily in Baghdad where security is scarce and the government has proved its inability to protect the citizens.

Maha's mother was asked if she had reported the abduction, but her answer was:" To whom shall I complain? When the protectors have become the thieves". She added that she was ready to sell all that she has for the safe return of her little girl and she appealed to the officials and clergy to help her get her daughter back

August 28, 2007

Baghdad - ANA ASHUR : Affirmation of threats against Christians in Karada

Baghdad-ANA ASHUR
28-08-2007

News of threats against Christians in Karada district in Baghdad were confirmed to ANA ASHUR by informed sources. The news of threats were carried few days ago but the chairperson of Karada's municipal council, engineer Mohammad al-Rabiee had denied the existence of such news, however, eyewitnesses confirmed that threatening letters were indeed received by Christians in Karada asking them to leave the area.

ANA ASHUR puts this news to the attention of Iraqi government officials and all those who allegedly are working to protect the Iraqi people in general and in particular the Assyrian Christians with all their denominations not only because they form an important faction in the Iraqi society but also because until this moment they have been marginalized and deprived of even a fraction of their legitimate national rights in their homeland, the land of their fathers and forefathers.


August 28, 2007

A young Assyrian man killed even after a ransom was paid

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA ASHUR
28-08-2007

Baher Sabah Kallo was killed in Baghdad on August 20, 2007, the victim was born in 1975 and worked as a lecturer at Baghdad University.

The young man was abducted and a ransom was paid in exchange for his release but instead his fate was to be killed because treachery and crime don't know humanity.

How much longer shall the voice of innocent Assyrian victims be silenced in all regions of Iraq between the disregard of a local disabled government and the international blindness of paralyzed nations?

August 25, 2007

Joseph Abd Ibrahim Hermiz killed in Kirkuk

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
ANA ASHUR-Kirkuk
25-08-2007

News from Kirkuk-Iraq brought another sorrow for the Assyrians, Joseph Abd Ibrahim Hermiz was killed Friday,August 24 at noon in al-Qadisiya al-Thaniya behind the public clinic.

Another senseless killing which will pass without the killers being punished while the Assyrians mourn yet again one of their own in silence when no one is hearing their cries.

August 16, 2007

Jeffrey Ramsey Boutros an Assyrian young man killed in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
16-08-2007

Jeffrey Ramsey Boutros was killed on August 13, 2007 in al-Mansour neighborhood- al-Dawoodi district in Baghdad.

Jeffrey was an only child to his parents and was born in 1979, he became another victim of terrorism and joined the caravan of Assyrian martyrs who died in their homeland Iraq without any one asking or knowing about them.

August 13, 2007

Two Assyrian brothers killed in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
12/08/2007

Unidentified gunmen attacked the house of two brothers Falah and Sabah Nasouri Alka in al-Karrada district of Baghdad on Tuesday, August 07 2007. The two brothers were brutally attacked before being killed. Falah died following a savage beating and torture while Sabah was shot. The gunmen fled the scene after sealing the door tightly.

Falah was 52 years old and he was a known pharmacist who ran al-Rabab pharmacy in al-Karrada district while Sabah who was 55 years old was an entrepreneur and worked in trade.

Following the completion of Forensic Institute procedures the bodies were received by their relatives and were taken for burial on Sunday August 12, 2007 at the Chaldean Church cemetery in Khan Bani Saad in the city of Baaquba.


August 12, 2007

Three Assyrians killed in Zammar

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Dohuk (Nohadra) Occupied Assyria/ North Iraq
August 11, 2007

Three Assyrians killed in Zammar

it was reported that Hizni Khadida al-Margahi, Farouq Giwargis from the Naf Kindal village and Nabil Yousif from the Leevo village were killed when a car exploded in the Zammar district near al- Rabi'aa area as they were on duty in a military regiment of the Iraqi National Guard.

May they rest in peace and may their families be consoled

August 05, 2007

An Assyrian killed in Mosul

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

August 05, 2007

Thamer Najib Azzouz killed in Mosul

On Friday evening August 03, 2007 unidentified gunmen in three cars approached Thamer Najib Azzouz in an attempt to abduct him in al-Hadbaa district in Mosul but he refused to leave his family and two little children in order to yield to the gunmen's request, and when he fought the kidnappers, they shot and killed him instantly then they fled the area.

May he rest in peace and may his family be consoled.

July 17, 2007

An Assyrian young man killed by the Kurdish Peshmerga

ANA ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA ASHUR

July 17, 2007

Fadi Nizar Habash from Baghdeeda was killed this afternoon on al-Hizam road as he was in his car and a Kurdish Peshmerga force was passing. They opened fire on the young Assyrian man and killed him instantly.

Fadi Habash joins the list of innocent Assyrians who have been murdered senselessly adding more sorrow to a nation that has been griefing for centuries.

July 13, 2007

Funeral services for Amera Abdelmassih Hermiz

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA-ASHUR


Amera Abdelmassih Hermiz was buried Friday evening in her birth town of Telskuf. Her children and father in law said that around 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening three gunmen broke into the house in Samara, two of them guarded the door while the third shot the victim in the arm, eye, and face while she held her two months old baby in her arms who was covered with his mother's blood. Amera's husband was at work when the vicious murder was committed.

The victim was born in 1972, she leaves in sorrow her husband Jalal Shaya Marogi Hayawi born in 1963, and he children: Nassim 1992, Nasma 1995, Mariam 1999, Wassim 2001, Essam 2002, Ghaidaa 2005, and baby Yousif two months.


July 13, 2007

The body of the Assyrian abducted from Baghdeeda found

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA-ASHUR

The body of Matti Boulos Markus Moma an Assyrian from Baghdeeda who was kidnapped two days ago was found today Friday, even though his family had paid the ransom of $20000 demanded by the kidnappers but he was killed.

Funeral services were held this afternoon for the victim at al-Tahira Church.

Matti Moma joins the growing list of Assyrian Christians who have been targeted as the violence increases in Iraq and the Assyrian Christians with their different denominations are forced into a situation which they have nothing to do with, while these acts of barbarism go un punished in a country where regard for human life is at its worst and where authorities give empty promises and condemnations that go no where.

July 13, 2007

An Assyrian woman mother of 7 murdered in Samara

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA-ASHUR

An Assyrian woman mother of 7 murdered in Samara

Mrs Amira Abdelmasih Hermiz from the village of Telskuf was killed today in her home Samara. The victim was born in 1957, married to Mr. Jalal Shaya Marogi and a mother of 7 children the eldest 16 years old and the youngest a baby two months old. Details about the circumstances of her death aren't available yet.


July 12, 2007

Another Assyrian from Baghdeeda abducted

Another Assyrian from Baghdeeda abducted

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA-ASHUR
July 12, 2007

Lubaid Majeed Sukariya an Assyrian Christian from Baghdeeda was kidnapped yesterday as he left home going to visit his fiancee in the same town.
Sources close to Mr. Sukariya's family said that the armed group who kidnapped him demanded a ransom of $50000 dollars for his release.

Two days ago another Assyrian from Baghdeeda was abducted and he hasn't been released yet.
These vicious abductions have been going on for a while now against the Assyrian Christians with their different denominations in the Plain of Nineveh and have increased lately in comparison with the previous period.

July 10, 2007

An Assyrian from Baghdeeda kidnapped

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

Matti Boulos Markus Moma disappeared as he left his home Monday, 09/07/2007. An unknown armed group contacted his family and claimed responsibilty for the kidnapping, they also demanded a ransom for his release.

The Assyrian Christians in Mosul with all their denominations have been subjected for a long time now to murders, abductions and forced displacements but the authorities didn't take any measures to stop this vicious campaign against this faction of the Iraqi people.


July 08, 2007

An Assyrian and his wife slaughtered

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

July 08, 2007

An American official said today Sunday that the bodies of two employees in the United States embassy were found. The two employees were an Iraqi Assyrian Christian Hazem Hanna and his wife Aneel Meskoni, who were identified by their finger prints. A high ranking American diplomat pledged to find and prosecute the killers.

The United States ambassador in Iraq, Rayan Croker said in a statement:" We declare with great sorrow the loss of two local employees who were kidnapped in May and were killed by ferocious fanatics". He added:" We will work with the Iraqi government to prosecute those responisble for this murder".

American officials said that Hanna went missing last May and when his wife went searching for him she went missing as well.

A group calling itself the Islamic State of Iraq which is lead by al-Qaida had a letter spread on the internet on May 31 alluded that the couple was slaughtered.

Murders and abductions have become the daily life of Iraqis since the invasion of the United States and the fall of the previous regime; every day tens and sometimes hundreds of mutilated bodies are found in the streets of Baghdad, however, the Assyrian Christians have been targeted for being accused of working for the coalition forces when the reality is that they have to work in order to make a living but fanatic groups are persecuting the Assyrian Christians under the watch of the Iraqi government without taking any measures to protect them.

July 07, 2007

An Assyrian young man abducted in Baghdad

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA-ASHUR
July 07, 2007

Haitham Habib Jawro was abducted today by armed gunmen before eyewitnesses in al-Baladiyat area of Baghdad. The armed gang intercepted his van which he uses for his modest business of transporting household items.

It's been reported that the kidnappers are negotiating his release with his family for a ransom. The abducted young man is married with two children

July 06, 2007

Four Assyrians abducted in Tozkhormato

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA-ASHUR

July 06, 2007

Iraqi police source said that four Iraqi Christians were abducted Friday by an armed group in Suleiman Pak, an area of Tozkhormato in Salaheldin governorate and were taken to an unknown destination.

The four abducted Assyrian Christians are George Isaac, his son Stewart,Shaqat Youssif and Martin Yacoub.

The four men were trying to reach their village, called Deirabun, near Zakho in Northern Iraq. Terrorists had threatened several times to kill them if they did not leave the capital. Religious authorities in the area are trying to contact the abductors.

July 05, 2007

An Assyrian killed in al-Mashtal-Baghdad

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

July 05, 2007

An armed group attacked al-Mashtal area in Baghdad near the Hydro company opening fire on the shop owners. Some shop owners were killed while others were abducted. Fathalla Hazem Batti was amongst those who were captured as he tried to escape he was shot and killed. The victim was born in 1967, married with two children and he lived in the area of Palestine street in Baghdad. Eyewitnesses mentioned that up to 8 people were killed in this attack.

May they rest in peace and may their families be consoled

July 05, 2007

Mouwafaq Philip Boutros a victim of hatred

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA-ASHUR

July 05, 2007

Mouwafaq Philip Boutros was murdered by a group of armed terrorists who asked him if he was a Sunni but he answered "I'm Christian" that's when his body was riddled with bullets. The victim was 58 years old, married with three children. He had left his home in Baghdad three days ago and was murdered in al-Saidiya district.

May he rest in peace and may his family be console

July 04, 2007

A tragic incident in Dora:Starvation & siege killed them

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
Dora-Baghdad

A tragic incident in Dora - Baghdad

George Yousif Jajjo and his wife Laila Yacoub Hermis died of starvation and siege

Hours after his wife Laila Yacoub Hermis 68 years passed away, an acute psychological trauma killed George Yousif Jajjo aged 74. The Assyrian couple were living alone besieged in their home due to the imposed blockade on Christians by terrorist groups.

The Assyrian couple lived in al-Hadar district between al-Mechanic and al-Sahha areas in Dora. They had consumed what food, water and medicine they had, thus George risked his life and left home seeking help when his wife fell unconscious, arriving at his sister in law's place they called the police, but by the time help arrived George's wife was already dead.

This tragic incident took place June 26, 2007 and it's part of the calamities befalling the Assyrian Christians with their different denominations due to terrorist acts, Jizya (head tax) demands and forced conversion to Islam.

George and Laila's story is part of the vicious campaign by terrorist groups against the citizens in the area but in particular the Assyrian Christians, while both the government and occupation forces have failed to protect them.

July 04, 2007

An Assyrian from Baghdeeda murdered in Baghdad

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
03/07/2007

Said Elias Samaan Estephan Sheekho was murdered in Baghdad as he left his home in al-Za'afaraniya district. The victim was married and father of six children. He was buried in his home town Baghdeeda Tuesday, July 03, 2007.

May he rest in peace and may his family be consoled

July 03, 2007

An Iraqi Christian employee in the Spanish embassy murdered

03/07/2007

Madrid - D.B.A. - ANA-ASHUR

Sources in the Spanish Foreign Ministry mentioned yesterday that an Iraqi Christian employee in the Spanish embassy in Baghdad was found dead with three of her family members. The Iraqi Christian woman who had been working in the embassy for 10 years disappeared last friday and was thought to be abducted. The four bodies were found July 01, 2007 and they were shot.

The Spanish sources mentioned that this incident has nothing to do with Spain but every thing to do with the violence in Iraq.

It's worthy noting that the majority of Christians in Iraq are Assyrians with various church affiliations.

July 02, 2007

An Assyrian killed by a militant group

ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation Desk
2007-07-01

ANA ASHUR

An Assyrian man, Amer Bahjat Mikha, was murdered Wednesday, June 27 2007 on the highway between Mosul and Baghdad when an un identified militant group stopped his car and shot him. The newest martyr added to the list of the victims of terrorism and ethnic cleansing was married with three young children, a boy in primary school and two little girls.

May God rest his soul and may his family be consoled.

June 28, 2007

An Assyrian from Batnaya abducted yet again in Mosul

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
June 28, 2007

An Assyrian from Batnaya abducted yet again in Mosul

Dawood Qoryaqos Hermis Farfash was abducted in al-Tahreer district in Mosul by unknown gunmen when they fired bullets on his car's window shield, they ordered him out of the car and took him away. Two months ago Dawood was kidnapped in the same area and he was released when his family paid a ransom of 3 million 500 thousand Iraqi Dinars.Dawood is married with few children and he is the sole supporter.

June 27, 2007

Two Assyrians murdered in Mosul

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

June 27, 2007

ANA-ASHUR/ Mosul
Mosul / Nineveh- Assyria / Iraq

In a cowardly terrorist act two Assyrians were murdered in Mosul this morning. They are Zuhair Yousif Steifo born in Karemlesh 1958 and Luay Suleiman Numan born in Mosul 1986.

The two martyrs were members of Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union

May they rest in peace and may their families be consoled

June 20, 2007

Eight Assyrian university students kidnapped

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
ANA-ASHUR

June 20, 2007

Police reports mentioned that 8 Assyrian Christian students and a lecturer were kidnapped in North of Iraq today. According to the police report a group of armed men abducted the students from a bus east of Mosul as they were heading back home after finishing some exams. The Assyrian Christians have continuously become a target for armed groups without any concrete steps being taken on the part of the authorities.

Thousands of Assyrian Christians have fled Iraq in recent years and joined about two million Iraqi in neighbouring countries looking for relatively safer living conditions.


June 20, 2007

An Assyrian from Baghdeeda murdered

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
ANA-ASHUR
June 20, 2007

An Assyrian from Baghdeeda murdered in Mosul

Anmar Akram Raffo Yaqou was murdered Tuesday June 19 by an armed group in al-Wihda district in Mosul as he went to check his home which he had left because of the security conditions in Mosul. He was buried yesterday in his village Baghdeeda.

The newest victim's name is added to the long list of Assyrians who have been murdered at the hands of terrorists he was born in 1979, married and the father of two children (twins).

May he rest in peace and may his family be consoled


June 19, 2007

Two Assyrian men from Batnaya abducted

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA-ASHUR

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Two Assyrian men from Batnaya were abducted Monday afternoon from their work in Mosul. One of them was released hours later after a ransom was paid while negotiations are still going on between the parents and the kidnappers of the second man.It's noted that during the past few months dozens of Batnaya's residents were abducted by armed groups.

June 19, 2007

More Assyrian Christian families flee their homes

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
ANA-ASHUR
June 19, 2007

More Assyrian Christian families flee their homes

Terrorist groups continue their campaign against the Christian families, imposing Jizya (head tax), the veil, forced conversion to Islam and the latest one forbidding the use of cell phones. Four Christian families left al-Saidiya area after receiving threats from terrorists to face “the same fate as those in Dora”. Reports mention that al-Dobbat, al-Turath, and al-Dobbat al-Thaneeya districts are the most targeted. The displaced families are obliged under very difficult economic conditions to stay with relatives, friends or take shelter in Churches in areas considered relatively safer.

June 12, 2007

An Assyrian woman killed in Baghdad

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA-ASHUR
June 12, 2007

Miss Nisreen Markus Hermis born in 1958 was killed infront of her house in Baghdad, the evening of Sunday, June 12 at the hands of some terrorists. This latest victim was a part of the Chaldean Catholic denomination.

May she rest in peace and may her family be consoled.

June 11, 2007

A blast in Telkef near St.Shmouni Assyrian Church

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
June 11, 2007

ANA-ASHUR

News from the town of Telkef in the Plain of Nineveh mentioned that an explosion occurred near the Mart Shmouni (St. Shmouni) Assyrian Church wounding several persons in addition to destroying cars and causing material damages to the Church.

Police forces surrounded the place and began an investigation with the people in the area.

June 11, 2007

Another Assyrian killed in Baghdad
ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
June 11, 2007

ANA-ASHUR

On June 02, 2007 Fouad Salem Benni Bello was assassinated in Baghdad, the victim originally from the town of Qaraqosh was married to Ibtisam Jameel Habash and a father of two small children Firas 5 and Mina 3 years old.

May his soul rest in peace and may his family be consoled.


June 07, 2007

Two Assyrians from Nineveh Plain abducted

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

June 07, 2007
Nineveh Plain

Samir Abd Casco from Baghdeeda and Johnny from Keremlish were abducted in the Heeth area by an armed group on their way to Baghdad. Samir is the father of seven, lives in an unfinished home, his only source of income is from his work as a taxi driver and the car is owned by one of his friends. In a phone call with his family the kidnappers demanded a ransom of $ 20000 dollars for his safe release and said that if their demands aren’t met, there would be no hope for his safe return.

June 06, 2007

A Catholic Assyrian Priest, five Assyrians kidnapped in Iraq

A Priest, and five Assyrians kidnapped in Iraq
Wed Jun 6, 2007

A Catholic Assyrian priest and five young Assyrians have been kidnapped in Baghdad, Catholic news service AsiaNews reported on Wednesday, three days after the murder of another priest and three of his assistants in Iraq.

AsiaNews said the Chaldean Catholic priest, whom it named as Hani Abdel Ahad, was seized with the five in Suleikh, a Sunni neighbourhood in northern Baghdad. It was not immediately clear when the kidnapping took place.

The report cited unconfirmed rumours that a ransom demand had been made to the patriarch of the Chaldean church, Emmanuel Delly.

June 05, 2007

Extremists break into St. Jacob Church in Dora

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
June 05, 2007

ANA-ASHUR- Nirgalgate

Dora-Baghdad

According to eyewitnesses armed militants broke into Mar Yacoub (St. Jacob) of Nisibin Church in Asia neighborhood-Dora, stole its contents, they also removed the steeple Cross, abducted two of its guards and took them to an unknown destination.

Another armed group abducted a guard of the Theological Monastery in Dora and he was released after being threatened and beaten after which the Monastery was closed even though its location is behind the Babel College of Philosophy and Theology which has been turned into an American military base.

June 04, 2007

An Assyrian abducted in al-Mashtal- Baghdad

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
ANA-ASHUR- Baghdad
June 04, 2007

Farid Boutros Gabriel was abducted three days ago with his son in al-Amin area, the officers district in al-Mashtal-Baghdad. It’s suspected that he was abducted by gunmen from al-Mahdi army. The victim was accused of collaborating with the Americans, and even though his son was released hours later but Fardi’s fate is still unknown. His family launched an appeal for his release

June 04, 2007

An Assyrian doctor abducted in al-Khales

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk

ANA-ASHUR- Ankawa
Sunday, June 03/2007

Al- Khales area a district in the Diyala governorate witnessed the abduction of four doctors as they were on their way to Sulaimaniya where they worked. One of the kidnapped is an Assyrian doctor from Baghdeeda. The kidnappers have asked for a sum of money ransom in exchange for the release of the abducted doctors; this is the second incident of abduction in few days.

On another note another Assyrian Mr. Saad Ablahad who was abducted by a group of armed gunmen Thursday May 31st, was released June 02 when a ransom of $20000 dollars was made and also his pickup truck was kept by the kidnappers

June 03, 2007

A Priest and 3 of his Deacons murdered in Mosul

June, 03 2007
ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation Desk
Mosul – Nineveh

Father Ragheed Keni, pastor of the Holy Spirit Church in AL- Noor neighborhood in Mosul along with three (3) Deacons, were murdered by unidentified gunmen, right after the Sunday Mass. The gunmen opened a barrage of bullets on the priest and his Deacons as they left the church premises

June 01, 2007

Two Assyrian men abducted in Mosul

ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation desk
01/06/2007

Two Assyrian men of Baghdeda named, Sa’ad Ablahad and Bassam Musa, were abducted by unidentified gunmen on Thursday 31-5-2007, while they were in the city of Mosul shopping for their produce store. Bassam Musa, was released shortly after abducting him and he was subjected to severe beatings, while Sa’ad Ablahad was kept and taken to an unknown destination.

This is the second case of kidnapping of our people within a week where someone was abducted a few days ago and was released after payment of ransom was paid.

It is noted that cases of kidnapping of our Assyrian people in Mosul and abuse was rampant in the recent period in the absence of strong and effective role of the security forces and the daily turmoil the city of Mosul witnesses, despite the many please sent to officials

May 31, 2007

Statistics: 600 Assyrian families displaced from Dora

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
May 31, 2007
ANA-ASHUR/Nirgalgate
Dora- Baghdad

According to reliable sources and a statistics chart prepared by some civil society organizations providing humanitarian relief in Iraq, it shows that from January to May 31st, 2007 close to 600 Assyrian families were forced to leave the Dora area in Baghdad while about 250 families fled to the Nineveh Plain or the North of Iraq and another number of families left to Syria, Jordan and overseas countries.

All these families confirmed that the main reason for them leaving, are the practices of the Islamic armed groups which are imposing Islam, and Jizya (head tax) as means to force them to flee. Other reasons cited were the daily military operations and the abductions of persons thought to have money.

Two thirds of those who fled didn’t have a chance to take any of their belongings and they left behind full households only to be looted and robbed by strangers who are in the area. It’s worthy noting that there are still tens of families left behind who are unable to leave due to financial and economic or because they fear the revenge of the armed groups.

ANA-ASHUR note: Assyrians of all Church affiliations live in the Dora area


May 28, 2007

An Assyrian man abducted in Mosul

ANA-ASHUR Media & Translation Desk
May 28,2007

ANA-ASHUR/Nirgalgate

An Assyrian man from Baghdeeda was abducted Sunday May 27th, 2007 as he was doing some shopping in Mosul. The kidnapper’s identity, motives, and demands are unknown.
The identity of the man abducted and his whereabouts are still unknown but this is the second kidnapping in Mosul in the past two weeks. It’s been also noted that abductions and forced displacements have increased while the authorities aren’t taking any necessary measures to stop these vicious attacks

May 25, 2007

Assyrian students from Bartilleh threatened

ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk
ANA-ASHUR-Ankawa
May 25, 2007

A group of armed terrorists stopped a car with young Assyrian men and women in it on the way from Mosul University to Bartilleh. The gunmen threatened the girls and demanded that they cover up with veils (hijab) while the young men were told not to sit next to the girls or they will be killed, then the gunmen threatened of shelling the car if their instructions were not met. This dangerous incident created a state of fear amongst the students especially when it is time for final exams.


May 24, 2007

An Assyrian citizen killed in Dora

ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk
May 24, 2007
ANA-ASHUR- Nirgalgate

Hikmat Faraj al-Safi was killed on May 17th, 2007 at the hands of unknown gunmen as he was unloading a truck of provisions for his store in the Mechanic area in Dora.
The newest victim was born in 1952 and a father of seven children.

Criminal gangs have been targeting professionals, and shopkeepers creating in the process a state of panic in order to control the area and force its inhabitants to collaborate with them.

May he rest in peace and may his family be consoled.


May 22, 2007

Gunmen threaten Assyrian students in Baghdeeda

ANA-ASHUR/Nirgalgate
May 22, 2007
ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk

An unidentified group of gunmen stopped a bus traveling from Baghdeeda to the Mosul University with Assyrian students on board. The gunmen threatened to kill the students if they didn’t apply the laws of Islamic Iraq which are similar to those of Taliban. It’s noteworthy that the influence of this Islamic state of Iraq has increased in Mosul lately and the government didn’t take any steps to stop it. The Christians in Mosul have been increasingly the target of many attacks and violations

May 22, 2007

American bullets kill three Assyrians

ANA-ASHUR/Ankawa
May 22, 2007
ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk


Funeral services were held yesterday May 21, 2007 for Jameel Hanna Sifo and his wife Muntaha Hadi Suleiman, both victims were shot by the American forces during violent confrontations in al-Baladiyat district in Mosul, they belonged to the St. Polous Chaldean Church and they were the parents of three young children, a boy and two girls.

The third victim Raad Najeeb Mikha belonged to Miskinta Church in Mosul and he leaves behind also three children, a boy and two girls.

May 21, 2007

A convent in the town of Telskuf receives terrorist threats

ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation Desk

Telskuf – Nineveh / Assyria / Iraq
May 20, 2007

A source has confirmed that the Telskuf convent (25 kilometers north of Mosul) received today a letter threatening the nuns to leave the monastery or it will be attacked and destroyed. It is noteworthy that the town of Telskuf is practically under the protection of the national guards with most of its personnel and officers being Kurds.

May 20, 2007

A Chaldean priest is kidnapped in Baghdad

05/19/2007
A Chaldean priest is kidnapped in Baghdad

Fr. Nawzat P. Hanna, parish priest of Mar Pithion, was abducted this morning in the capital’s al-Baladiyat quarter. Baghdad’s auxiliary bishop: “We will pray for his immediate release, but we will not submit to fear”. Local Christians warn of systematic plan by terrorists to “clean-up” the city quarter by quarter.


Baghdad (AsiaNews) – Yet another Chaldean priest was kidnapped this morning in Baghdad. He is Fr. Nawzat P. Hanna, parish priest of Mar Pithion, from the Baladiyat quarter. Confirmation of the abduction reached AsiaNews, via Msgr. Shlemon Warduni, Chaldean auxiliary bishop in the capital, who has invited Catholics to “pray for Fr. Nawzat’s immediate release”. The abductors have already made contact with the Chaldean Patriarchate, but as of yet there is no further news.

The priest was leaving the house of an ill parishioner, when he was stopped by a group of persons who had been waiting for him, says the bishop. Msgr. Warduni is convinced that a motive for ransom is behind the abduction, but among Baghdad’s faithful the rumour has spread that this morning’s sequester is in response to the Patriarch and bishops recent denouncements of persecution against the Christian community there. “By kidnapping another priest – anonymous sources tell AsiaNews – the terrorists kill two birds with one stone: they get rich and at the same time force the Patriarch to transfer him abroad, thus giving the whole community a very strong message”.

In the meantime in the capital the witch-hunt against Christians continues. It has emerged, from what has been reported to AsiaNews, that the persecution is being carried out according to a well studied plan, quarter by quarter across the city. After Dora, Al-Baya’a, al-Thurat and al-Saydia, now it’s the turn of al-Habibia and al-Baladiyat. Those groups who subscribe to the “Islamic state in Iraq” are putting up posters which demand women wear the veil and distributing pamphlets imposing protection taxes on Christians. “They use the same technique on each and every quarter – locals tell – soon they will begin to call house to house to sequester all our possessions”. “The coalition and Iraqi forces are present on the round in these neighbourhoods – they lament – they can see what’s going on, but they refuse to get involved”. Thus many make the decision to leave their homes, packing their most precious belongings in cases and seeking refuge in those few Churches which are still open. But most are already full to capacity, forcing many families to live and sleep on the streets.

“We cannot go on living like this – affirms Msgr. Warduni – its inhuman, it’s humiliating”. And he adds “but we will not be bowed by fear, we will continue to make our voice heard and to denounce this tragedy which is the Iraqi people and above all the Iraqi Christian’s daily reality”.


May 18, 2007

Assyrian Church burned in Dora

ANA-ASHUR/Nirgalgate/Paulos Tkhouma
ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk
May 17, 2007

Extremist armed gangs burned down the Mar Giwargis Assyrian Church two days ago in the Dora district in Baghdad. Eye witnesses reported that a terrorist group poured benzene on the structure which was almost destroyed when it was targeted by a bomb three years ago, at that time terrorists had also destroyed the steeple Cross even though it wasn’t harmed during the explosion.

ANA-ASHUR was first to report the news about al-Nour mosque Imam in (al-Taa’ma area) who is enticing the extremists to demand Jizya (head tax) from the “Nasara”, or to publicly convert to Islam, else they would have no other choice but to leave the area leaving their belongings behind.

(Nasara is an erroneous term used to denote Christians).

May 17, 2007

Islamists force Assyrian families out of their homes

ANA-ASHUR – Sources
Baghdad- Iraq
May 16, 2007
ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk

Fourteen families took shelter at the Ascension Catholic Chaldean Church after Islamist groups forced them to leave their homes leaving their belongings behind while another group of families took shelter at the Mar Giwargis (St. George) Catholic Chaldean Church.

Three Assyrian families took refuge at the Mar Audisho Assyrian Church while four other families were sheltered at the Patriarchate of the Ancient Church of the East, and all these families faced many difficulties as they were forced out.

Information coming out of the area indicate that the so-called Emir in the area named Hatem al-Razzak who is also the Imam at al- Nour mosque went to the Christian families in the area and demanded that they either pay 250.000 Dinars Jizya (head tax) a month because they are Dhemmis and in return he would give them a “pardon” or one of their members would go to the mosque during Friday prayers and formally convert to Islam otherwise they have to leave their homes and every thing becomes the property of the mosque.

Meanwhile many free Iraqi voices called upon the government to take urgent measures to help these poor people and hear their cries because the situation they’re in shameful to the religion, the Iraqi society and the government officials.

May 15, 2007

Another Assyrian victim in Mosul

May 15, 2007
ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk

A car bomb in Ras al-Jadda near Qabr al-Bint on May 10, 2007 claimed the life of Manhal Hanna Abbo as he was returning home from work. The latest victim suffered from a head injury which immediately caused his death, he was born in 1968 in the Assyrian town of Telskuf, married and father to a baby daughter five months old.

May he rest in peace and may his family be consoled.

May 12, 2007

An Assyrian family abducted near Baaquba

ANA-ASHUR/Nirgalgate
May 12, 2007
ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk

Mr. Gabriel Khamis Khamis an Assyrian citizen living in the Na’eeriya district in Baghdad was kidnapped on May 11, 2007 by unknown gunmen with his wife Feryal, his grandson Jason (4 years old) and the Kurdish taxi driver at the Habhab point near Baaquba on the Baghdad-Kirkuk road as they were on their way to Arbil-North Iraq. Mr. Khamis’s son in law and his daughters Lina, Nour and Sara were in another car but they were able to escape and report the incident at the nearest police station.

Some time later the wife and the grandson were found in the Habhab desert after they were stripped of their jewelry while the fate of the husband and the taxi driver remains unknown, while the other family members were able to unite and go back to their home in Baghdad.
It’s worthy to note that the Baghdad-Kirkuk road has turned in the past few weeks into a trap for innocent citizens specifically in the areas near Baaquba

May 11, 2007

Two Assyrian men abducted

May 10, 2007
ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk

On Tuesday May, 05th 2007 two Assyrian men were abducted by unknown gunmen in Baghdeeda as they were heading to their work at al-Salam hospital in Mosul without knowing the reasons for their abduction, and their whereabouts aren’t known till this moment

It’s been noted that Mosul is one of the cities where many violent acts have been committed against Christians thus many had to leave either to Baghdad or the Nineveh Plains region

An explosion kills an Assyrian college student

May 10, 2007
ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk

An explosion at the faculty of dentistry in Baghdad on April 24, 2007 claimed the life of a young Assyrian student at the college, Hussam Nizar Maskouni

In order to honor his memory the faculty’s dean decided to name this year’s graduation ceremony to this young man.

May he rest in peace and may his family be consoled

May 10, 2007

The area of expelling Assyrians in Baghdad widens

ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk

Escaping Assyrian families who have arrived to the town of Ankawa – Arbil mentioned that the terrorists in Baghdad have widened the area where they are deliberately expelling Assyrian Christians to include al-Turath area near Karakh.
As mentioned in previous reports the terrorist groups are forcing Christian families to convert to Islam, pay Jizya (head tax) or leaving the area immediately

One of these families mentioned that they were forced out of their home leaving all their possessions behind and the money which they had was confiscated by the terrorists and they searched them before they were expelled. Confirmed information from Dora assert that the area has been virtually emptied and that what’s left of the Assyrian Christian families are living in a state of utter fear as their homes are shelled with mortar every now and then

It has also been noted that banners are put up in Dora threatening Christians to leave their homes or they will be killed while others in al-Baya’a district in Baghdad were forced to leave under death threats


May 8, 2007

Two Assyrian men and a taxi driver killed in Baaquba

ANA-ASHUR/Nirgalgate
May 08, 2007

ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk

A knowledgeable source mentioned that two brothers Safaa Edmond Thomas born in 1958 married with three children and his brother Nabil Edmond Thomas born in 1960 married with two children were both killed as they tried to leave Baaquba to Baghdad in order to join their families. The first victim’s family is in Mangish/North Iraq while the other victim’s family was waiting his arrival to Syria

The two victims had sent their families in order to save them from the escalating violence against Christians. Both were killed on May 05th, 2007 as the taxi they were in was left a Baaquba garage, the taxi was stopped on the road by a group of unknown assailants wearing the National Guard outfits, the taxi driver was slaughtered immediately while the two brothers were killed after they were stripped of their clothes and personal possessions. A relative of the two martyrs, an engineer, was also kidnapped and released two days later as he went to claim the two bodies

April 24, 2007

The continuous exodus of Assyrians

Baghdad-Iraq

April 24, 2007 ANA ASHUR: Translation & Media Desk

Following the imposition of Islamic laws by the militants, many displaced Assyrian families have confirmed that the situation is getting worse specially that some armed Islamic groups have imposed the Jizaya (head tax) to be paid by the Assyrians under the pretence that they are living under the control of " The Islamic State of Iraq". The amount of 250.000 Iraqi Dinars/month has been demanded from the Assyrian families as a condition to exempt them from going into Islam.
Abou Simon one of the residents mentioned that:" The problem isn't with the Muslim families who are living in the area because they are sympathize with us and are also fed up and upset at what's happening, but the problem is in the terrorist groups who have imposed their laws on the area". He also complained about the poor performance of the security forces adding that " the presence of the security forces isn't doing much since they aren't doing any thing to implement the laws while the American forces go about their patrols without doing any thing".
A number of families also complained that a control point at the Mechanic area / 60 street forced people to pay 50.000 Iraqi Dinars for every loaded truck which carried their belongings in order to allow them to leave the area.
Many Sunni families have offered to protect their Christian neighbours but they preferred to leave specially that the situation has reached to the extent of publicly threatening people of kidnapping and killing any one who helps the "rogues" who are refusing the conditions of staying in the area (according to the armed groups) .
It is also worth mentioning that the areas of Doura, al-Ta'amah, al-Mu'alemeen and Public housing have been surrounded with concrete blocs since April 2006.
ANA-ASHUR (c) 2007 All Rights Reserved

Source: Nirgalgate

April 16, 2007

An Assyrian martyr in Kirkuk

Kirkuk-Iraq

ANA-ASHUR - Translation & Media Desk

An explosion on board of a bus in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk claimed on April 12,2007 the life of a young Assyrian man as he was on his way back home from work. Samer Sabah Al- Tabbakh was a deacon in Kirkuk's Chaldean Church. His father Mr. Sabah Al- Tabbakh is the director of Kirkuk's branch of Caritas.The young man Samer Al- Tabbakh is another martyr of the Assyrian and the Iraqi people who are paying with their lives the ultimate price for peace.

May he rest in peace and may his family be consoled

April 14, 2007

Armed groups threaten the Assyrians to embrace Islam or leave their homes within 24 hours.

ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation desk

April 14, 2007

Doura / Baghdad / Iraq – (ANA ASHUR)


Confirmed news from Baghdad that armed groups had threatened Assyrian families in many areas of the revival of the Doura area in Baghdad. Especially in the neighborhood of “AL Mu’alameen” has warned the Assyrian Christians families to leave or convert to Islam, and within 24 hours or leave the area and not subjected to slaughter. .. Have added our sources in Baghdad said that these groups prevented Assyrian families to retain any of the holdings during the departure, also issued “FATWAS” confiscation of the property of all these families. We also learned from the same source that the majority of those families had been threatened escaped from their homes, leaving everything in their homes to more secure areas in Iraq

April 13, 2007

The escalation of operations against Christians in Baghdad

12 / 04 / 2007
ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation desk

ANA ASHUR / Nirgal Gate - Baghdad

Experienced relative stability after the conditions of Christians, noted in the recent increase in operations targeting Christian woman in Baghdad, where recorded cases of displacement of the Christians in the areas that fall under the control of Sunni religious groups, at the same time many kidnappings. The Christians have been on the neutral side of the sectarian conflict has not detoured ambitions of some religious groups, which according to some eyewitnesses and victims who had been displaced from the “Dashadesh” persons wearing white and speak the Arabic language of non-Iraqi dialect told them that their homes must be vacated and without taking anything from the property, and says one of the witnesses that he had informed the local police told him about their inability to enter into a confrontation with these groups.

April 11, 2007

U.S. forces kill young Assyrian in Doura Baghdad

11 / 04 / 2007
ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation Desk

ANA ASHUR / Nirgal Gate – Baghdad

An American patrol unit killed an Assyrian named Nu’man Matti Nu’man
on the second day of Easter, April 9, 2007 in the Doura area in Baghdad, the incident took place when the American patrol ambushed his car, which was driven by the company of his son and young daughter exposed to a barrage of gun fire by the Americans, which forced him to pull over his car to the side of the road but the Americans then kept on firing and he was hit in the head and died on the spot.

The deceased didn’t know there was a curfew and vehicles ban on that day because he did not follow the media and news to know that there was a curfew and vehicles ban for the reason that there was a power outage for several days in the area that he lived. The deceased was out driving with his son and daughter which he wanted to take his son to get a hair cut at the barbershop. The Americans acknowledged later that the deceased was wrongly shot at and did apologize for his next of kin and family and promised compensation.

April 10, 2007

Kurdish Attack on Assyrians Leaves Two Dead in Syria

Derik, Syria (AINA) -- Two Kurds lost their lives and another four were seriously injured as a Kurdish youth gang attacked Assyrian youth in the city of Derik, in the traditionally Assyrian section of northeast Syria, 10 kilometers from the Turkish border. The fighting broke out on the first of April. According to Assyrians living in Derik a group of young Kurdish men assaulted Assyrian girls and challenged a group of young Assyrian men to face them.

The Kurdish and Assyrian youth met outside of town to settle the score, equipped with knives and metal bars. In the fighting that followed two Kurdish boys were killed and four seriously injured. No Assyrians are reported to have been seriously injured or killed.

Syrian police stopped the fighting and called an army division from the area of Rmelan to take control of the town and impose a curfew. That did not stop the Kurdish inhabitants in Derik from retaliating by attacking and burning shops, houses and cars belonging to Assyrians. The Assyrians have remained in their homes for several days, afraid of sending their children to school.

Many Assyrians from northeast Syria suspect a hidden Kurdish agenda behind the attack. An Assyrian community leader from Derik says that the Kurdish leader in Iraq, Massoud Barazani, has secretly donated tens of million US dollars to the Kurdish inhabitants of Derik, urging them to drive out the remaining Assyrians in order to Kurdify the town. The plan is to make life difficult for the Assyrians so they will want to leave the area. Those that do not leave would be bought out with the money donated by Barazani.

The attack on the Assyrians of Derik comes just weeks after an Assyrian teacher at the local school was shot dead by an Arab from a tribe which is known to have intermarried with local Kurds. The Assyrians believe the two incidents are interconnected and aimed at driving out the remaining Assyrian population of the once totally Assyrian town.

Assyrian men and women living in European countries are in the process of donating money to help the Assyrian families that have been affected by these attacks.

Assyrian International News Agency.

April 05, 2007

The Kidnapping of an Assyrian Engineered by Armed Militia

On Tuesday the 3rd of April at 01:30, Fredrick John Shimshon Al-Bazi, an Assyrian engineer, and an expert in mineral resources was kidnapped by unknown armed militias as he was returning home from his office in Amiriya.

Al-Bazi was born in 1943, and he completed his postgraduate studies in civil engineering in Briton. He served his country since 1967; more than 39 years; as an academic in Baghdad and Al-Mustansiriya Universities, as an executive director of one of the main bureaus concerned with irrigation and reformation, and as deputy minister for Iraqi Mineral Resources.

According to eye witness reports Al-Bazi was kidnapped by fully covered and armed individuals riding an Opal vehicle. They also reported that he was beaten severely before he was taken away.

Again the adversaries of humanity demonstrate their deep hatred towards the indigenous people of the land, the heirs of the Assyrian nation. The nation that sacrificed and continues to sacrifice everything that is dear, for the sake of our beloved Iraq : the land of our forbearers.

March 29, 2007

Assyria / Tel-Kef / North Iraq

The Kurdish peshmerga abduct an Assyrian man in Tel-Kef

ANA-ASHUR Translation & Media Desk

March 29,2007


In the early hours of March 22/2007 a Kurdish militia force of the KDP forcefully abducted a young Assyrian man James Al-Bazi.The young man was forced out of his house in the Tel-Kef district and savagely taken to the peshmerga headquarters where he was blindfolded and beaten up for an hour and a half by a group of the peshmerga before he was released later on in the morning.

The real reasons behind the incident are still unknown but some had said that a scuffle took place between the young man and his friend and that the latter had complained to the Kurdish militia.However,there isn't any convincing reason for such brutal acts against the Assyrian people at the hands of the Kurdish militia because solving scuffles and small arguments isn't their job in the areas where the Assyrian inhabitants live,otherwise what is the role of the Iraqi police in Tel-Kef and the rest of the areas of the Nineveh Plains when it's being greatly undermined and in a disturbing manner at the hands of the intruding Kurdish militias.

This incident wasn't the first but rather such incidents had been escalating in particular against the young people in Tel-Kef and other areas of the Nineveh Plains,where it was mentioned that three other young men were subjected to similar treatment under the pretence of not having their identity cards in narrow alleys and near homes

March 27, 2007

Two Chaldean Catholic Nuns Stabbed to Death in Kirkuk

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Two elderly sisters, both Chaldean Catholic nuns, were stabbed to death in their home in Kirkuk, city police reported Tuesday, saying the motive for the attack was not known.

Kirkuk police 1st. Lt. Marewan Salih said Fawzeiyah Naoum, 85, and her 79-year-old sister Margaret, were stabbed multiple time by two intruders who raided their home Monday night near the Cathedral of the Virgin in Kirkuk

March 20, 2007

An Assyrian youth dies in recent kirkuk’s suicide bombings

ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation Desk
ANA ASHUR - Kirkuk
Ziad Luis who died as a result of a car bomb in Kirkuk recent bombings, which occurred on March 19, 2007.

March 15, 2007

Artillery shells fall on the regions of northern Zakho

Zakho – Occupied Assyria / North Iraq

ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation Desk
Thursday, March 15th, 2007

Eye witnesses said today, Thursday, that artillery shells fell at the northern border town of Zakho, but it did not result in any casualties. One of the eyewitnesses explained, people from the village (Kestah) 40 km north of Zakho, eight artillery shells north of the village of Zakho district fell this evening, but it did not result in damage. He pointed out that the shellings are coming from the Turkish side. It is noteworthy that the border of the district of Zakho last week witnessed the fall of artillery shells are also thought to be coming from the Turkish side.

March 9, 2007

The Kurdish occupation authorities in Dohuk prevent shops from using Assyrian names

ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation Desk


09 / 03 / 2007

Kurdish occupation authorities in Dohuk are preventing Assyrians from naming their businesses and shops Assyrian names or put up sings in Assyrian language in their store fronts.
the problem facing the Assyrians in the naming their shops trade names of theAssyrian language where to choose between the Kurdish or English languages only, a situation similar to the former regime at a time when the Assyrians were forced to use Arabic names instead of the Assyrian names.

February 27, 2007

An Assyrian Engineer Killed in Baghdad

ANA ASHUR – Media &Translation Desk

Walid Abdul Ahad an engineer was killed on Monday 2-26-2007, in Baghdad, after a shell mortar landed in one of Baghdad’s neighborhoods while heading to work.


February 26, 2007

An Assyrian student amongst yesterday collage blast

ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation Desk
2007-02-26


Jamil Bassam Mansour Brikho was killed yesterday's Sunday February 25, 2007 terrorist blast in the Faculty of Administration and Economy / University Almustensareyah.


February 14, 2007

Mass Grave in Turkey of Assyrians and Armenians to Be Examin


Examination of mass graves discovered on October of 2006 in Turkish district of Nusaybin will be carried out by an international expedition. Swedish historian David Gaunt is sure that the graves belongs to 270 Armenians and Assyrians, who were killed by order of a Young Turks chieftain. Turkish authorities have not carried out any investigation, journalists were not allowed to approach the burial and obtain more information. In this connection Hans Dinden, a deputy from Swedish leftist party, has sent an interpellation to the Swedish parliament. In response Turkish authorities, as usual, launch a counter-offensive. Chairman of scientific-historical association Yusuf Haladjoghly offered to carry out a joint excavation of graves. Professor David Gaunt agreed with that offer, but demanded full freedom during the process. He also wished to speak to those who could know anything about the mass burial. In his part Haladjoghly stated that if really occurs that Armenians and Assyrians are buried in the graves he will publicly apologize, otherwise he expects the same from professor Gaunt, 'Yerkir Media' TV Company reports.


Villagers from Xirabebaba were digging a grave for one of their relatives when they came across to a cave full of skulls and bones. The Xirabebaba residents assumed they had uncovered a mass grave of 300 Armenian villagers massacred during the Genocide of 1915. They informed Akarsu Gendarmerie headquarters, the local military unit, about the discovered remains. Turkish army officers instructed the villagers to block the cave entrance and make no mention of the remains buried in it. The officers said an investigation would take place. Journalists, who had arrived to obtain more information, were denied access to the cave. As the mass burial made news, local Gendarmerie made another visit to the villagers. The latter were pressed to report the name of the person who leaked the mass burial discovery to the press. The villagers were warned not to show anyone directions to the cave.


The victims of the mass grave, according to Sodertorn University History Professor David Gaunt, are most likely the 150 Armenian and 120 Assyrian males from the nearby town of Dara (now Oguz) killed on June 14, 1915.

Another son of our nation murdered

February 13,2007

Mosul / Assyria / Iraq

Feb 12th, 2007

ANA ASHUR - Media & Translation Desk

Another son of our nation murdered

This morning Monday, 12th 2007. Haitham Hazem a jeweler was killed in Mosul

February 08, 2007


Baghdad (AINA) -- A high ranking Assyrian official of the Iraqi Airways was gunned down by unknown assassins near his home in Mekanik (Daura) last Wednesday 31 January 2007. Mr Isaac Esho Alhelani was stopped whilst driving with his wife, forced out of the car and shot twice before the assassins fled with his car. According to his children living in Australia, he was then taken to a hospital in Baghdad, but the hospital did not have the resources or medication to treat his serious wounds. He was then flown by helicopter to the city of Arbil where he died. His body was later taken by car to the city of Kirkuk, the place of his birth, for burial by his wife and sister.

Isaac was a graduate from an aircraft engineering school in Scotland in the early 1960's where he studied under a scholarship from the Iraqi Government. Uppon his return to Iraq after completing his studies with distinction, he was appointed as an aircraft engineer in the Iraqi Airways and climbed the ladder of promotion until he reached the position of Deputy Director. Isaac, who was 64, retired in December 2006. He leaves his second wife in Iraq and four children from his first marriage. Three of the children, his daughter and two sons live in Australia, and his youngest son is in Syria where he escaped to from Baghdad after being threatened with kidnapping.

Baghdad – Iraq

February 06, 2007-02-06

ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation Desk

A car bomb exploded this afternoon in a popular market in the Garage AL Amana area, the incident led to the killing and wounding a number of people and a destruction of shops, No one has yet claimed responsibility for the incident note that the area is inhabited by Assyrian majority.


February 05, 2007

ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation Desk

One of Bakhdeda’s son amongst yesterday’s explosion in Baghdad

Firas Sabah Momeka of Bakhdeda was killed yesterday amongst many in Sadria's west Baghdad one ton explosive truck suicide.

The deceased body was taken to Bakhdeda to be buried.

God rest his soul

February 05, 2007

ANA ASHUR – Media & Translation Desk


An Assyrian youth body was found after being abducted nearly 3 months.

Faris Daniel of Telkif body was found yesterday Sunday February 4th in one of Arbil’s mortuary hospitals (Arbil Teb AL Adli), after being abducted nearly 3 months.

God rest his soul

Alqush / Assyria

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Hundreds of Assyrians in Alqush and near by villages sick


Hundreds of inhabitants of Alqush during the past few days getting sick, due to poisoning, caused in situations of diarrhea sharp result sewage pumping unsterile water, the Director of the Water in Alqush Mr. Alois enormously this problem to the lack providing them chlorinated sterile of water, and consequently water was given to the local population without disinfect which caused to get cases POISONED many, in a suburb of Mar Qardagh village and in the village of Sharafya.

ANA ASHUR – Translation and Media Desk


Even stray bullets...Are not sparing the Assyrians

January 07, 2006
Basra-Iraq

As Sally Matti Sakmani was standing in front of her home in Basra a stray bullet hit her in the head causing a serious injury. Sally was taken to a hospital where she remains in coma. The doctors see that her condition is critical and an operation can’t be performed until she is out of her coma

The latest victim is married and a mother of a little baby girl and was finishing the last stage to graduate fr