Early in the morning on February 23, 2015, while the sun was still below the horizon, ISIS fighters tore through villages and towns along the Khabour River, launching violent attacks on the Assyrian people who lived there. Burning homes, community centers, and kidnapping over 250 people, the terrorists all but destroyed these communities. In the five years following these tragic events, the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people have worked hard to rebuild and return to a sense of normalcy in the region. It has not been easy.
It was in the aftermath of these events that Nadia Cavner began her philanthropic and activist work to bring aid and peace to her Assyrian people, persecuted and close to her heart.
Was this the first time this kind of event has occurred? By no means. Was this the last? Unfortunately, no. This was a large-scale attack, but it was one of countless attempts to wipe out these people from their homeland of ancient Mesopotamia. Where they once settled in what is now modern day Turkey, many were displaced to other parts of the region in Syria and Iraq. Over the last 100 years, still more Assyrians have fled again, settling along the Khabour River in Syria. But, again, this is not the last time.
Since October of 2019, Turkish fighters continue to pressure and attack the Assyrian people living in the region through the use of air power, artillery, and land attacks, some of which are one-off attacks with car bombs and things of the like.
One day, Nadia hopes the region can and will live in peace. While there is a long road ahead to peace, we can pray and work toward reconciliation and rebuilding. Perhaps one day, the Assyrian people will not have to resettle and be the victims of continued attacks. It is toward this end that Nadia Cavner continues to work and continue to fight.
To stay up to date with current events happening in the Middle East, please visit the ACERO website at www.TheACERO.org or at http://www.SyriacPress.com
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