Latest news with #Babylonian-AssyrianNewYear
Shafaq News
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Officials demand public trial for Akitu festival attacker
Shafaq News/ The assailant behind the attack on Akitu celebrations in Duhok has been identified as a member of ISIS, according to Ashur Sliwa Niqo, a senior official in the Assyrian Democratic Movement. Niqo called for a public trial of the perpetrator, who reportedly shouted ISIS slogans during the assault. "The Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people have celebrated Akitu, the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year, for 6,775 years. Thousands from Kurdistan, Iraq, and beyond, including Europe, the US, and Russia, take part in these festivities," Niqo told Shafaq News. The attack occurred during a 30,000-strong procession that began at St. Mary's Church in Duhok. A man armed with a cleaver attacked a 75-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man, inflicting severe head injuries. Niqo stated that when security forces apprehended the suspect, he was chanting ISIS slogans and making gestures associated with the terrorist group. The Kurdistan Region Security Council later confirmed the attacker was a Syrian national and an ISIS member. Calling the incident the first of its kind since Akitu celebrations began in Duhok in 1992, Niqo urged authorities to publicly disclose the investigation's findings and not dismiss the attack as an isolated incident. He also emphasized the need to enforce laws against hate speech and extremism, warning of the threats such crimes pose to social harmony. Niqo commended security forces for swiftly arresting the attacker and reiterated demands for a transparent public trial. He also extended well wishes to the victims, calling for greater protection of cultural and religious gatherings. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) condemned the attack, stating that a thorough investigation is underway and reaffirming the Region's commitment to peaceful coexistence among its diverse communities. Kurdistan's presidency also condemned that attack, stating, "We strongly condemn the criminal assault that took place in Duhok, injuring two Christian participants." The Presidency reaffirmed the Region's commitment to peaceful coexistence, stressing that "the Region will remain a model of harmony among all communities. Any attempt to undermine this culture of tolerance will not be tolerated, and the perpetrators will be held accountable under the law."
Shafaq News
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Assyrian groups demand hate speech law after 'Akitu Attack'
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, the Democratic Assyrian Movement called for the criminalization of hate speech and extremism in response to the attack on celebrants of the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year in Duhok. In a statement, the movement condemned the attack, stating, "A misguided individual assaulted two members of our Chaldean, Syriac, and Assyrian community who were celebrating the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year 6775 during the procession held today." The movement pointed out that this incident, which appears to have an extremist nature, is the first of its kind since the public celebrations of the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year began in 1992 in Duhok, a city known for its security and safety. It stressed that the responsible security authorities in the governorate should not treat this as an isolated incident. The movement urged the government to implement laws that criminalize incitement to hatred and extremism against ethnic and religious communities, noting that such criminal acts threaten civil peace and harmonious coexistence among citizens. Furthermore, the statement also emphasized the need for the investigation results to be disclosed transparently to the public, to understand the motives behind this 'cowardly attack,'.
Shafaq News
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Akitu attack outrage: Governor vows justice after "cowardly act"
Shafaq News/ The attack on Akitu festival celebrants is a "cowardly act" that has no connection to peaceful coexistence, Duhok Governor Ali Tatar said on Tuesday. Earlier today, an unidentified assailant attacked attendees of the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year celebration in Duhok, injuring a woman and a young man. Both victims sustained serious wounds and were taken to a hospital, where their conditions remain critical. Speaking at a press conference attended by Shafaq News Agency, Tatar emphasized that pluralism and tolerance have long defined the Kurdistan Region. "Neither a terrorist organization, a fanatic individual, nor any group seeking chaos can undermine security and stability in Kurdistan," he said. The governor stressed that the Region would not be swayed by such attacks, which he described as attempts to sow discord and disrupt social harmony. "All components of the Kurdistan Region are fully protected by the government, which prioritizes security and stability," he added. He also assured that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is providing the best possible medical care for the victims.
Shafaq News
01-04-2025
- Shafaq News
Suspected ISIS attacker targets Akitu Festival in Duhok
Shafaq News/ A suspected ISIS-linked attack injured two people during celebrations for Akitu, the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year, in Duhok, security sources said Tuesday. The attack unfolded in a crowded marketplace, where the suspect first assaulted an elderly woman before turning on a 17-year-old participant in the festival's parade. The teenager's mother said her son had traveled from Qaraqosh earlier that day to join the festivities. "At noon, we received a call saying he had been taken to the hospital with a deep head wound," she told Shafaq News. Doctors managed to stop the bleeding, and his condition is now stable. Witnesses reported that the elderly woman was struck multiple times on the back and head while shopping with her daughter. She was rushed to Duhok Emergency Hospital's intensive care unit. Security sources told Shafaq News that the suspect entered the marketplace before launching his attack and was later restrained by the crowd. Initial investigations suggest he belongs to a terrorist organization, with some reports linking him to ISIS. Ninos Odesho, a senior member of the Assyrian Democratic Movement, condemned the attack as an "act of terrorism," claiming the suspect was a Syrian national. "He was shouting 'Islamic State' as he was being arrested," Odesho said, referencing video footage of the incident circulating on social media. He urged authorities to launch a full investigation to uncover potential accomplices. Despite the violence, Akitu celebrations proceeded as planned, with thousands of participants from across Iraq and beyond. The parade, which began at St. Mary's Church, made its way through the city's main streets before culminating in a public gathering at Mazi Complex, where attendees waved flags and performed traditional dances.
Shafaq News
01-04-2025
- Shafaq News
Duhok arrests suspect in Akitu festival attack
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, security forces in Duhok province of Kurdistan have arrested the suspect behind the attack on Akitu festival celebrants, a security source confirmed. The suspect, who confessed to being affiliated with a terrorist organization, is currently under investigation. Earlier today, an assailant attacked festival attendees with an axe, injuring three people; a young man from Qaraqosh (Hamdaniya district) who suffered a skull fracture, an elderly woman from Alqosh, and a Peshmerga soldier assigned to protect the event. All three were rushed to the hospital, with the young man's condition described as critical. The assault occurred as Duhok hosted a large-scale celebration of Akitu, the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year.
