On this day of June 15, Syriac people and their various organizations and institutions commemorate painful tragedy of Sayfo 1915 genocide organized and carried out by Ottoman-Turkish in 1915 against our people in Bethnahrin dispersed territories leaving 500.000 dead and thousands of orphans and destroyed cultural, educational, religious and socioeconomic
heritage.
Arriving to 1915, Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people were densely populated in large swaths of geography from Urfa to Hakkari highlands, In lark until Mosul city and in Urmia region of modern Iran. While most important part was present in Tur Abdin which faced the wrath of genocide heavily. In all cities, town and regions co-inhabited by our people with their neighbours, Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people were active elements of social fabric and contributed massively to the wellbeing of the population.
The genocide of 1915 perpetrated by Ottoman-Turkish rule and their allies against our people brought an end to the valuable contribution of our people to their respective societies and they became minority and vulnerable in their native homeland. While genocide hit the population also cultural, educational centres, religious and economic assists and richness have been plundered, seized and destroyed in order to suppress all traces of our people. The subsequent republican policies in modern Turkey continued this denial and annihilation of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people.
Recognition of past atrocities, crimes against humanity and Sayfo as France did in near past give hope for the survivors and oppressed people to continue their combat and create more peaceful and democratic future.
