More Propaganda from the Pro Terrorist and Pro Violence Assyria Post

Pro Terrorism Assyria Post Spreading Propaganda Once Again

This so-called "article" from Assyria Post is yet another piece of inflammatory propaganda that twists isolated incidents into a blanket indictment of the YPG, ignoring the overwhelming historical context of Kurdish forces as protectors of Assyrian communities during Syria's darkest hours. As a Kurdish history enthusiast, I'll dismantle this narrative with facts, showing how it cherry-picks tragedies while erasing the YPG's alliances with Assyrians against common enemies like ISIS. The claim that the YPG "killed more Assyrians than ISIS" is not just factually baseless—it's a grotesque inversion of reality that dishonors the shared sacrifices in the fight for survival in Rojava.

Let's start with the core accusation from Shamoun Zitou, an Assyrian journalist featured on Assyria TV. He alleges the YPG orchestrated attacks blamed on ISIS, including the 2015 Qamishli restaurant bombings and the assassination of David Jendo. But reliable reporting paints a far more nuanced picture. The December 30, 2015, bombings in Qamishli's Wusta neighborhood targeted Assyrian-owned spots like Miami and Gabriel, killing at least 16 people and injuring over 30. ISIS publicly claimed responsibility via their Amaq news agency, describing it as retaliation against "crusader" targets.

Contemporary accounts from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) and international media confirmed it as a triple explosion, with one suicide bomber inside a restaurant—hallmarks of ISIS tactics at the time. While some Assyrian voices speculated YPG involvement to "scare" minorities, no credible evidence emerged; in fact, PYD officials accused the Assad regime of complicity to sow discord. This wasn't a Kurdish plot— it was jihadist terror amid a multi-front war.

On David Jendo: As leader of the Khabur Guards, an Assyrian militia, he was assassinated in April 2015 alongside an attempt on Elias Nasser. Initially, ISIS claimed it, but Nasser survived and identified YPG fighters as perpetrators. The YPG investigated and admitted rogue members were involved, arresting them and stating they acted without orders—likely due to tensions over Jendo's refusal to integrate under YPG command. This was a tragic internal rift, not systematic policy. Kurdish forces punished those responsible, underscoring that it wasn't an official act of oppression but a breakdown in fragile alliances during wartime chaos.

Now, the absurd numbers game: Zitou's claim that YPG killed more Assyrians than ISIS flies in the face of documented atrocities. ISIS's 2015 assault on Khabur River villages alone saw 287–400 Assyrians kidnapped, with executions (including public beheadings) and hundreds displaced or killed in the process. Across Syria and Iraq, ISIS targeted Christians relentlessly—marking homes with "N" for Nazarene, forcing conversions, and massacring communities like in Mosul, where thousands fled or died. By contrast, YPG-related deaths are tied to sporadic clashes or isolated incidents, like a 2016 skirmish in Qamishli where 1–2 Assyrians died amid checkpoint disputes. No independent tallies support Zitou's hyperbole; it's propaganda amplified by outlets with anti-Kurdish agendas.

Far from being oppressors, Kurdish forces have been key allies to Assyrians. The YPG integrated the Syriac Military Council (MFS), an Assyrian militia, into its structure in 2014, fighting side-by-side against ISIS in battles like Kobani and Raqqa. In 2015's Eastern al-Hasakah offensive, joint YPG-Assyrian-Arab forces liberated over 100 villages from ISIS, saving countless lives. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by YPG, include Assyrian units and have protected Christian communities in areas like Hasakah, even as tensions over autonomy persist. Yes, there are real grievances—reports of land disputes, school curriculum clashes, and forced conscription under the Autonomous Administration. But these stem from governance challenges in a war-torn region, not ethnic cleansing. Assyrian leaders like those in the Syriac Union Party participate in the administration, proving coexistence is possible.

This piece reeks of bias from a pro-Assyrian outlet that amplifies division, much like Turkish state media labeling YPG as "terrorists" to justify incursions. Kurds and Assyrians share ancient Mesopotamian roots and a history of mutual resistance—against Ottoman genocides, Ba'athist Arabization, and now jihadists. The YPG didn't "kill more than ISIS"; they bled alongside Assyrians to defeat ISIS, creating a fragile but pluralistic space in northeast Syria. Articles like this serve no one but those who profit from endless conflict. Let's honor the truth: unity against tyranny, not recycled hate.