ICC Note: Assyrian Christians are caught in a bloody crossfire between Kurdish forces and ISIS. Both groups are reportedly intimidating and occupying Assyrian villages. The Syrian civil war has put Christians in a particularly dangerous position in the country as they are being attacked by almost every side. As fighting intensifies now, Christians are facing more impossible odds of survival.

10/07/2016 Syria (Christian Daily): Assyrian Christians are currently caught in the crossfire as the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) rages on, with some villages reportedly being occupied and looted by Kurdish forces.

When ISIS attacked the Khabour River region in the Syrian province of Hassake in February 2015, 35 Assyrian villages were emptied. The militant group later kidnapped more than 200 Assyrians, and some are still being held by ISIS up to now, World Watch Monitor details..

During that time, the Kurdish YPG militias occupied Tel Nasri, Tel Goran, and other villages. The villagers expected the Kurdish forces to stay there temporarily for training and to ward off ISIS. However, local sources are now saying that the Kurdish forces are already occupying the villages.

A couple of weeks ago, a Syrian Catholic figure said the Kurdish militia were intimidating and committing acts of violence against the Assyrian Christians in Hassake. The YPG has reportedly put up signs warning against danger and mines, but Assyria TV said this is just a gimmick to justify their occupation and to scare Assyrians away.

In addition, Assyrian TV said the empty villages were already being “systematically looted” by Kurdish forces.

There are some Assyrians who long to return to their homeland after ISIS is defeated. However, there are also many others who have been scarred by the trauma and violence they endured that they no longer wish to go home, The Federalist reports.

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