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AINA
(AINA) -- On February 24 ISIS attacked 35
Assyrian villages on the Khabur river in the Hasaka province in northeast
Syria. More than 300 Assyrian civilians were captured, at least 9 Assyrian
fighters were killed in the initial attacks, and it has been reported that ISIS
has executed at least 12 Assyrian fighters who were captured, two of them
women.
The
majority of the Assyrians were captured from Tel Shamiran, Tel Hurmiz, Tel
Goran and Tel Jazira. Nearly 3000 Assyrians have fled from the 35 Assyrian
villages on the Khabur river to Hasaka and Qamishli. There is a critical need
for shelter for the refugees.
Yesterday
ISIS released 19 Assyrians who were captured from the village of Tel Goran.
After
the initial attacks, an Assyrian fighter gave an impassioned plea to Assyrians
for support and unity against ISIS. Here is his statement, made in a video
posted on youtube. The fighter speaks in Assyrian. AINA has translated his
statement to English.
My
name is Orom from the city of Qamishli. I am a member of the Syriac Military
Council, MFS.
We
are now in the village of Mrghanna which lies in the opposite direction of Tel
Hurmiz.
Tel
Hurmiz is currently under the control of the extremists ISIS. They came with
many men and weapons and control much of Khabur.
Currently
we are as an Assyrian militia fighting together with YPG against ISIS. The
extremists have very heavy weapons but we have killed many of them.
In
Tel Hurmiz our militia gave a heavy response to ISIS when they entered the
village. Our fighters fought bravely, which made our people proud. Our militia
fought until the ammunition was exhausted. When the ammunition ran out our
fighters retreated.
Now
we are trying to take back our villages but the enemy has a lot of soldiers.
I
have a call for all Assyrian and Christian people. Our peoples villages are
being occupied and the women taken away. Until when will we stay like this?
Until when will we stay in the Diaspora?
Every
Assyrian must come back to his homeland and defend his people. No one can
defend us but ourselves.
Our
martyrs have become a call for every Assyrian and Christian to fight back and
defend all of Mesopotamia.
