“Ashkharazhokhov” Demands Broad International Recognition of the Assyrian Genocide
On August 7, we commemorate Assyrian Martyr’s Day. The Assyrian Genocide (known among Assyrians as “Seyfo” — “the sword”) refers to the mass extermination of the Christian Assyrian population of the Ottoman Empire and neighboring regions during 1914–1920, amid World War I.
According to various estimates, over 750,000 Assyrians perished at the hands of Turkish fascism during and prior to World War I. This ancient and heroic people suffered under the hands of oppressors for their unyielding will for freedom and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Like the Armenians, Greeks, Arabs, Yazidis, and Kurds, the Assyrians endured genocide — systematic annihilation based on ethnicity.
From the second half of the 19th century to the mid-20th century, the Assyrian people actively participated in uprisings led by Armenians and Kurds against Turkish fascism and imperialism. They themselves rose up, exposing to the world the crimes committed against Armenians, Yazidis, and Kurds.
Today, as Armenians face trials, Assyrians stand shoulder to shoulder with us. The grief of Assyrians is our shared grief, and their victories are a source of our pride!
The Assyrian diaspora continues to fight for recognition of the genocide and the preservation of their identity. Many Assyrians still live under persecution in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq and Syria, where their communities suffer from war and terrorism.
Unfortunately, international recognition of the Assyrian Genocide remains limited. It has been officially acknowledged by Sweden (2010), Armenia (2015), the Netherlands (2015), and some U.S. states (e.g., New York and California). The Turkish fascist regime denies the genocide, dismissing the events as “tragic consequences of war”.
The “Ashkharazhokhov” movement advocates for the broad international recognition of the Assyrian Genocide. Ankara must acknowledge all its wartime crimes against the indigenous peoples of the Middle East and repent!