Persecution of Assyrians and Copts by ISIL
| Persecution of Assyrians and Copts by ISIL | |
|---|---|
| Location | Iraq, Syria, Libya |
| Date | June 11, 2014 – present |
| Target | Assyrians and Copts |
|
Attack type
|
Ethnic cleansing, abuse, and forced conversions to Islam |
| Deaths | Tens[1] |
| Victims | 200,000 Assyrian refugees[1] |
| Assailants | |
| Defenders | Qaraqosh Protection Committee [4] |
|
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The Persecution of Assyrians and Copts by ISIL refers to the persecution[7][8][9] of Christian minorities, within its region of control in Iraq, Syria and Libya by the Islamic extremist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Persecution of Christian minorities climax following its takeover of parts of Northern Iraq in June 2014.[10]
According to US diplomat Alberto M. Fernandez, "While the majority of victims in the conflict raging in Syria and Iraq have been Muslims, Christians have borne a heavy burden given their small numbers."[11]
Contents
Background[edit]
The mass flight and expulsion of ethnic Assyrians from Iraq is a process which initiated from the beginning of Iraq War in 2003 and continues to this day. Leaders of Iraq's Assyrian community estimate that over two-thirds of the Iraqi Assyrian population may have fled the country or been internally displaced since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 until 2011. Reports suggest that whole neighborhoods of Assyrians have cleared out in the cities of Baghdad and Basra, and that both Sunni and Shiite insurgent groups and militias have threatened Assyrian Christians.[12] Following the campaign of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in northern Iraq in August 2014, one quarter of the remaining Iraqi Assyrians fled the Jihadists, finding refuge in Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan.[13]
Timeline[edit]
Fall of Mosul[edit]
After the fall of Mosul, ISIS demanded Assyrian Christians in the city to convert to Islam, pay tribute, or face execution, by July 19, 2014.[14] This resulted in a complete Assyrian Christian exodus from Mosul, marking the end of 1600 years of continuous Christian presence.[15] A church mass was not held in Mosul for the first time in 1,800 years.[16]
ISIS had also been seen marking Christian homes with the letter nūn for Nassarah ("Christian").[17][18] Several religious buildings were seized and subsequently demolished, most notably Mar Behnam Monastery.[19]
Fall of the Nineveh Plain[edit]
By August 7, ISIS captured the primarily Assyrian towns of Qaraqosh, Tel Keppe, Bartella, and Karamlish, prompting the residents to flee.[20][21] More than 100,000 Iraqi Christians were forced to flee their homes and leave all their property behind after ISIS invaded Qaraqosh and surrounding towns in the Nineveh Plains Province of Iraq.[22]
Beheading of Copts[edit]
On February 12, 2015, the ISIL released a report in their online magazine Dabiq showing photos of 21 Egyptian Copts migrant workers that they had kidnapped in the city of Sirte, Libya, and whom they threatened to kill to "avenge the [alleged] kidnapping of Muslim women by the Egyptian Coptic Church".[23] The men, who came from different villages in Egypt, 13 of them from Al-Our, Minya Governorate,[24] were kidnapped in Sirte in two separate attacks on December 27, 2014, and in January 2015.[25]
Khabur offensive[edit]
On 23 February 2015, in response to a major Kurdish offensive in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, ISIL abducted 150 Assyrians from villages near near Tell Tamer in northeastern Syria, after launching a large offensive in the region.[26][27]
According to US diplomat Alberto M. Fernandez, of the 232 of the Assyrians kidnapped in the ISIS attack on the Assyrian Christian farming villages on the banks of the Khabur River in Northeast Syria, 51 were children and 84 women. "Most of them remain in captivity with one account claiming that ISIS is demanding $22 million (or roughly $100,000 per person) for their release."[11]
Reactions[edit]
On 2 and 3 August 2014, thousands of Assyrians/Chaldeans/Syriacs of the diaspora protested the persecution of their fellow Assyrians within Iraq and Syria, demanding a United Nations-led creation of a safe haven for minorities in the Nineveh Plains.[28][29]
I will follow anyone... and tell everyone... that this is happening... in the century twenty-one…
On September 6, 2014, Defend International launched a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the Christians, Yazidis and Kobane, and the brutal attacks they were subjected to; to coordinate activities related to intensifying efforts aimed at rescuing Yazidi and Christian women and girls captured by ISIL; and to build a bridge between potential partners and communities whose work is relevant to the campaign, including individuals, groups, communities, and organizations active in the areas of women’s and girls’ rights, inter alia, as well as actors involved in ending modern-day slavery and violence against women and girls[34][35]
On 4 November 2014, President of Defend International, Dr. Widad Akrawi, said that “the international community should define what’s happening as a crime against humanity, crime against cultural heritage of the region and ethnic cleansing,” adding that females are being “subjected to as systematic gender-based violence and the use of slavery and rape as a weapon of war.”[36] In October 2014, Dr. Akrawi dedicated her 2014 International Pfeffer Peace Award to the Christians, Yazidis and all residents of Kobane because, she said, facts on the ground demonstrate that these peaceful people are not safe in their enclaves, partly because of their ethnic origin and/or religion and they are therefore in urgent need for immediate attention from the global community.[37][38][39][40][41][42][43] She asked the international community to make sure that the victims are not forgotten; they should be rescued, protected, fully assisted and compensated fairly.[44]
On 3 November 2014, the horrifying “price list” for Yazidi and Christian females issued by ISIL surfaced online, and Dr. Akrawi and her team were the first to verify the authenticity of the document.[45][46][47][48] On 4 November 2014, a translated version of the document was shared by Dr. Akrawi.[49][50][51][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59] On 4 August 2015, the same document was confirmed as genuine by a UN official.[60][61]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Increasing Calls for Military Intervention to Save Assyrians and Yazidis". Aina.org. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ "Syrien: Christen lassen sich von IS nicht vertreiben". Die Welt. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ^ "Christians in Iraq Forming Militia to Defend, and Possibly Retake, Ancestral Lands". Aleteia.
- ^ "Christian Security Forces Growing Stronger In Iraq". NPR. 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2012-04-08.
- ^ "Christians reclaim Iraq village from ISIS". CBS News (United States). Associated Press. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
- ^ Glioti, Andrea (20 June 2013). "Syriac Christians, Kurds Boost Cooperation in Syria". Al Monitor. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^ Rodriguez, Meredith (August 8, 2014). "Chicago-area Assyrians march against ISIS, others protest airstrikes". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ Bowcott, Owen; Jones, Sam (August 8, 2014). "Isis persecution of Iraqi Christians has become genocide, says religious leaders". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ McQuade, Romsin (July 30, 2014). "Iraq’s persecuted Assyrian Christians are in limbo". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ Levs, Josh (August 7, 2014). "Will anyone stop ISIS?". CNN. Archived from the original on August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ a b Fernandez, Alberto M. (June 16, 2015). "The "Sayfo" Continues Responding to Global Christian Persecution". Berkeley Center Cornerstone. Georgetown University Religious Freedom Project. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
- ^ "Population 'under attack', Radio Free Europe". Rferl.org. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
- ^ "BBC News - Iraq Christians flee as Islamic State takes Qaraqosh". BBC News. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ "BBC News - Iraqi Christians flee after Isis issue Mosul ultimatum". BBC News. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- ^ "For the first time in 1600 years, no Masses said in Mosul". Catholicworldreport.com. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ "Iraqi Christian church burnings confirmed by EU delegation". Iraq news, the latest Iraq news. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- ^ "Iraqi Christians flee after Isis issue Mosul ultimatum". BBC News. August 7, 2014. Archived from the original on August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Loveluck, Louisa (August 7, 2014). "Christians flee Iraq's Mosul after Islamists tell them: convert, pay or die". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "Isis militants 'seize Iraq monastery and expel monks'". BBC News. August 7, 2014. Archived from the original on August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "UN Security Council condemns attacks by Iraqi jihadists". BBC News. August 7, 2014. Archived from the original on August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "ISIS Captures Largest Christian Town In Iraq And Several Others, Thousands Of Minorities Flee". International Business Times. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ "BBC News - Iraq Christians flee as Islamic State takes Qaraqosh". BBC News. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- ^ El-Gundy, Zeinab (12 February 2015). "Islamic State publishes report on Coptic Egyptian workers kidnapped in Libya". Al-Ahram. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^ "Thousands mourn Egyptian victims of Islamic State in disbelief". Reuters. 16 Feb 2015. Retrieved 26 Feb 2015.
- ^ "ISIL video shows Christian Egyptians beheaded in Libya". Al Jazeera. 16 Feb 2015. Retrieved 16 Feb 2015.
- ^ Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Oliver Holmes (23 February 2015). Tom Heneghan, ed. "Islamic State in Syria abducts at least 150 Christians". Reuters. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
- ^ "Islamic State 'abducts dozens of Christians in Syria'". BBC. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
- ^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/assyrian-christians-protest-in-sydney-city-against-silent-genocide-taking-place-in-iraq-and-syria/story-fni0cx12-1227011070149?nk=c2dc639b829591b95df8725e7e2d2564
- ^ "Assyrians Demonstrate Worldwide Against ISIS Persecution". Aina.org. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ "Dr. Widad Akrawi quotes at bestquotes4ever.com". Retrieved 2015-09-29.
- ^ "Dr. Widad Akrawi quote at brainywords.com". Retrieved 2015-09-29.
- ^ "Dr. Widad Akrawi quote at azquotes.com". Retrieved 2015-09-29.
- ^ "Dr. Widad Akrawi quote at shayarihall.com". Retrieved 2015-09-29.
- ^ "Save The Yazidis: The World Has To Act Now". Retrieved 2014-09-12.
- ^ "Artist Jane Adams invited to join Save The Yazidis campaign". Retrieved 2015-09-29.
- ^ "Dr Widad Akrawi Interviewed at RojNews: How should the international community classify the systematic massacre of the Yezidi civilians in Sinjar by IS jihadists that included taking Yezidi girls as sex slaves". Retrieved 2015-09-30.
- ^ "Dr Widad Akrawi awarded International Pfeffer Peace Prize". Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "Dr. Widad Akrawi Receives the Pfeffer Peace Award". Retrieved 30 September 2015.
- ^ "Dr Akrawi Dedicated Peace Award to Yezidis, Christians and Kobane". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ "Dr. Widad Akrawi Barış ödülünü Kobanê ve Şengal'e adadı". Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "Peace award dedicated to Kobanî and Şengal". Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "Dr. Widad Akrawi Xelata Aştiyê pêşkêşî Kobanê û Şengalê hat kirin". Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "Xelata Aştiyê diyarî Kobanê hat kirin". Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "Save The Yazidis: The World Has To Act Now". Retrieved 2015-09-29.
- ^ "IS "Price List" For Yazidi And Christian Females Verified By UN Official". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "Isis Price List For Yazidi And Christian Females As Young As One Confirmed As Genuine By UN Official". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "ISIS Executes 19 Girls For Refusing Sex With Its Fighters". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "Isis Price List for Yazidi & Christian females as young as one confirmed genuine by UN Official". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "ISIS executes 19 girls for refusing to have sex with fighters as UN envoy reveals how sex slaves are 'peddled like barrels of petrol’". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "ISIS executes 19 girls for refusing to have sex with fighters". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ a b "‘The Girls Get Peddled Like Barrels of Petrol:’ U.N. Official Confirms Nauseating ‘Price List’ for Islamic State Sex Slaves". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "ISIS Circulates Sex Slave Price List And Executes 19 Girls For Refusing Sex With Fighters". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "ISIS'S DESPICABLE 'PRICE LIST' FOR YAZIDI AND CHRISTIAN SLAVES". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "19 Girls Executed for Refusing to have Sex with ISIS Fighters". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "Yazidi sex slave who claims she was raped by 'American teacher turned ISIS jihadi' to testify to Congress". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "UN Representative confirms ISIS have institutionalised sexual brutalisation of women". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "11-year-old ISIS sex slave used as a human shield". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "Islamic State murders 19 girls for refusing sex with jihadis, peddles sex slaves like "barrels of petrol"". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "Horrific treatment of 11-year-old Yazidi sex slave forced to protect her depraved ISIS captor from gunfire". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "Isis 'price list' for child slaves confirmed as genuine by UN official Zainab Bangura". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ^ "19 girls were executed by ISIS for refusing to have sex with the jihadists, UN recovered a price list of Yazidi girls". Retrieved 2015-10-08.
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- Iraqi insurgency (2011–present)
- Christianity in Iraq
- Ethnic cleansing by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
- Forced migration
- Persecution by Muslims
- Persecution of Assyrians
- Persecution of Copts
- Persecution of Christians
- Genocides
- 21st-century Christianity
- 21st-century Eastern Orthodoxy
- 21st-century Oriental Orthodoxy