Assyrian International News Agency

AINA – Assyrian protests against the proposed Iraqi constitution have resulted in deadly reprisal attacks against Assyrian Christian civilians by forces loyal to Masoud Barazani, the tribal chieftain of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). On August 24, several hundred Assyrian (also known as Chaldean and Syriac) protestors demonstrated in the two Northern Iraqi Christian towns of Qaraqosh (Bakhdeda) and Telsqof (Tel-sqeepa) against the constitution’s splintering of the Assyrian Christian community into separate groups identified as either Assyrian or Chaldean. The Assyrian community in Iraq had previously been referred to singly as “ChaldoAssyrian” in the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) to reflect the community’s desire to be recognized as one. The demonstrations were also intended to send a strong signal of opposition to KDP’s continued illegal expansion into Assyrian areas. Two days later, the KDP struck back with deadly force. On August 26, 37-year-old Nabil Akram Ammona, a resident of Bartilla, was shot twice in the head by KDP paramilitaries while filling his automobile with gasoline (AINA, 8-27-2005). A group of armed KDP security wearing Iraqi National Guard (ING) emblems drove up to Mr. Amona and forcibly took away the gas nozzle he was using. A bewildered and irritated Mr. Amona protested. Instantly, one of the KDP thugs fired two shots execution style into Mr. Amona’s head. Mr. Amona died instantly as he slumped into a pool of his own blood. Local residents were shocked and terrified. Only one, Mr. Mattai Shamoun Zora Sha’ya rushed over to assist and comfort Mr. Amona. The moment he approached, the same Kurd shot Mr. Sha’ya twice in the head as well. Mr. Sha’ya, a father of four, is the nephew of the Syriac Orthodox Bishop of Mar Matti Monastery and is currently in critical condition. He is not expected to survive…[Go To Full Story]