Turkish Court Sentences Aramean Monk To 25 Months Prison On Terror Charges
Fr. Aho (Sefer BILEÇEN), an Aramean monk in Southeast Turkey, was sentenced in absentia by a criminal court in Mardin to more than two years imprisonment for alleged terrorist links. His lawyer is appealing the verdict that has shocked Arameans worldwide. WCA has reached out to high-level Turkish Government officials and continues to monitor the appeal process of this case.
USAID Recognizes Partnership with WCA in Bartella, North Iraq
On 7 September 2020, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recognized its partnership with the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (WCA) regarding the reconstruction of a community center. After ISIS seized the largely Aramean Christian town of Bartella in the Nineveh Plain in August 2014, it began to make use of this building.
PYD/PYG Exploits Education Again As Tool To Kurdify Northeast Syria
Last week, Aramean Christian students from Northeast Syria were infuriated, because they are prohibited to complete their last exams, granting them access to universities. The self-declared Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, led by the PYD/YPG Kurds, thereby puts the future of young generations at risk and continues its long-known plan of transforming this fertile part of the country into an independent Kurdish region.
New WCA Department: Aramaic Language and Cultural Heritage
On 20 March 2021, the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) created the Aramaic Language and Cultural Heritage Department (“ALCHD”). Several projects will be launched in the near future to preserve and promote the Aramaic language and cultural heritage.
WCA Partners With USAID In Reconstructing Community Center In Bartella, North Iraq
As part of a shared commitment to help rebuild the threatened ethno-religious minorities in Iraq, in November 2019 the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (WCA) partnered with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support a critically important project in the largely Aramean town of Bartella in the Nineveh Plain.
PYD/YPG Kurds Still Dig Tunnels Under Aramean Houses In Northeast Syria
Last week, an Aramean woman from Qamishli became terrified when she discovered that two Kurdish militiamen were digging a tunnel that ended up in the backyard of her house in the Gharbiye district. Aramean Christians across Northeast Syria have been complaining more than once about this military strategy that is being employed by the PYD/YPG Kurds.
Join the WCA Art Prize and win €250
On 18 March 2021, WCA invited creative minds and artists to contribute to the WCA Art Prize 2021 and win €250! This initiative was taken to remember and honor the kidnapped Archbishop of Aleppo, Syria, Mor Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim. For more background on this underreported issue, see here.
PYD Security Releasing ISIS Prisoners In Syria In Exchange For Money
Sources from the infamous al-Hol camp in Northeast Syria confirm that the Kurdish forces are releasing ISIS terrorists in return for money. Local Aramean Christians condemn this form of corruption, which also threatens the security and stability of this volatile region.
Two Aramean (Syriac) Christians killed, five others injured in Northeast Syria
Yesterday, two Arameans (Syriacs) were killed on the road from Qamishli to Deir Ezzor by two unidentified gunmen. The two victims were a priest of the Armenian Catholic Church in Qamishli and his father. A few hours later, three big explosives went off in Qamishli, killing several civilians and injuring a dozen of others, including five Aramean Christians.
