The Assyrian Democratic Organization
Mosul, Iraq – AINA — Continuing persecution of Assyrians in Mosul, Iraq has forced 1000 Assyrian families (AINA 10-11-2008) to flee the city and take refuge in Christian villages in the Nineveh Plains (AINA 10-11-2008).
The Iraqi government has sent extra police (AINA 10-12-2008) into Mosul to protect the Assyrians (also known as Chaldeans and Syriacs). Iraq’s prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has promised protection for the embattled Christian community (AINA 10-13-2008).
The attacks appear to be the work of Islamic extremist. Al-Qaeda is fighting to maintain its last stronghold in Mosul. However, an Iraqi member of parliament has accused the Kurdish authorities of orchestrating the attacks on Assyrians to drive them out and shift the demographic balance of Mosul in favor of the Kurds (AINA 10-12-2008).
The gravity of the situation has forced the Assyrian Universal Alliance to send a letter to Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, requesting UN protection for the Assyrians of Iraq.
