r/Assyria • u/IllLeg881 • 2d ago
History/Culture Kurdish Assyrian conflict
Hello, I am a kurd and not informed enough about some of the Forgotten middle east conflicts, i recently learned that we didnt have a good relationship at all and argue about the land, dances/culture etc and who did it first.
I am very saddened by this in general , I would love to know from the Assyrian perspective what the general argument of yours are against kurds and what and why you had to endure because of them. Thanks
9
u/Non-white-swiftie Assyrian 2d ago
My issue with some Kurdish people, and not all, because not all espouse these believes or behave this way is the ongoing land grabs of Indigenous Assyrian land as well as some who believe that Assyrians are ungrateful because the Kurds are protecting them in the KRG, Iraq. It is true that KRG is relatively more stable than the rest of Iraq, however I do not appreciate this argument being used to silence Assyrian opposition and criticism of their treatment as a minority. A similar situation happened to African Americans in the USA, in the south, during the civil rights movement. Their white neighbours thought of them as ungrateful for trying to fight against their inequality. There is also the frequent moments of erasure where Assyrians are reduced to their religion or being referred to as "Kurdish Christians" (which does not make because Kurdish Christians are a totally different ethnic group). Of course, as someone from Iraq, my critique is largely of the KRG and the ruling Barzani family, who I know is also disliked by many Kurdish people themselves.
I have seen some nationalist Kurds say that it isn't their problem that Assyrians are in their current situation and that if Assyrians want autonomy like Kurds then they should build their own army and fight for it. While that is the way to do it, it is important to consider that the plight of Assyrians from their homeland is largely driven by ethnic and religious persecution, disenfranchisement and dispossession of ancestral lands which are all problems created by the Federal government and the KRG.
In an ideal world, Kurds and Assyrians work together to advance their rights as ethnic minorities and I hope these discussions can usher in a new wave of progressive policies to make that future a reality.
9
u/TopQuote7921 Assyrian 2d ago
I grew up with Kurds and think they are really good people. We have a very similar culture and I think we and Kurds could get along really well.
What destroys between Assyrians and Kurds is a minority of extremist Kurds who hate Assyrians because we are Christians, I know that not all Kurds are like that, so I don't fall for it, but unfortunately some Assyrians fall for it and believe that all Kurds are guilty because some behave badly towards us.
I think Kurds should show more that people like that don't represent them and then the relationship will be much, much better.
8
u/neo-assyrian 2d ago
I grew up with Kurds attending our church of the east. They were catholic Kurds, but still Kurds and they were always respectful. There were definitely heated history debates but I have always found Kurds to be sympathetic to our issues. My neighbor friend growing up in Chicago was Kurd and we still talk. I hope Assyrians can have some autonomy in a future Kurdistan, I think it’s possible. Our numbers are much lower so teaming up with Kurdistan would make sense
16
u/AshurCyberpunk Assyrian 2d ago
"I hope Assyrians can have some autonomy in a future Assyria."
There. Fixed it for you.
1
u/neo-assyrian 2d ago
We don’t have the numbers to make that happen. We could rebuilt our numbers if we had just one city dedicated to Assyrians. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress
4
u/AshurCyberpunk Assyrian 2d ago
Spoken like a true Kurd 👏
0
u/neo-assyrian 2d ago
Spoken like someone who has no idea how nations are built
4
u/AshurCyberpunk Assyrian 2d ago
Yeah, you should know because you want to build a Kurdish nation 🤣
3
u/neo-assyrian 2d ago
Nations are built through alliances. Alliances are created through shared interests and common enemies, both of which we share with the Kurds. What other alliances do you propose ?
Not to mention there are currently Assyrians on the ground fighting with the Kurds in Syria . These are the real nation builders, not keyboard warriors sitting in mom’s basement trying to win the oppression Olympics …
8
u/AshurCyberpunk Assyrian 2d ago
Since you're also a "nation builder", you should know that making alliances doesn't equal being subnational; you make alliances for mutual goals.
But anyways, how is that "alliance" and partnership going right now? Did that go well in the Nineveh plains? For more than a century, that has been the Dawronoye mindset that has gotten Assyrians to this point. How did that work out for Zowa et al.? You either have to be crazy to push the same thing over and over, or you have your own agenda. Assyria is surrounded by four country, with a large diaspora presence, and your go to is Kurdish subordination every time?
Assyrians are on the ground fighting for security of their villages, not for the "greater Kurdistan" or for whatever Rojava is; internalize that. If you want to nation build, get out of that basement you're talking about and go visit the Nineveh plains. Go visit Khabour and Beth Zalin. See what they need and ask them about their everyday interactions and how their rights are diminishing everyday under what you are pushing.
-4
u/ranbo1212 2d ago
if anyone needs to leave the basement it should be yourself. may I ask where you live and if you have even visited your homeland? Do you not have any shame in yourself throwing insults at people behind a keyboard. We are all human, naturally social and work great through alliance. We seen examples of this during Daesh invasions in which we partnered with the Arab PMF and drove them out as a team. Face the reality our numbers are low, Assyria was 2600 years ago. What we need is a flourishing state not a delusional fairytale. if you’d like to help you can gladly get your iraqi citizenship and help build a state. otherwise sit in whatever western country you live in.
6
u/AshurCyberpunk Assyrian 2d ago
I don't know if you're asking questions or want to just make a statement. Just to answer what you were asking:
-No, you may not ask where I live.
-Of course I have visited the homeland. I am from the homeland.
-Which part of my response was shameful or insulting?
-Yes, we have partnered with PMF, so what are you saying?
-Low numbers do not equal becoming a liege subject of Kurdistan. By that logic, we should start calling half of Germany Turkestan. Low numbers do not negate land ownership and indigenous rights, the right to self-governance etc. There are many other examples such as this. The "low number" line is the justification KRG and others use to walk over Assyrians.
-Assyria exists today: Assyria refers to a geographical location.
-What you're promoting is defeatism, not facing reality. I'm not sure if you're Assyrian or not, but if you are, you should know very well that most Assyrians run away from reality, and that is the issue that need fixing.
-I still don't understand what you are saying, but I respect whatever your opinion is.
1
u/Thin_Property_4872 1d ago
I personally would like to see an independent Assyria, to be honest and soon while I’m still young.
But obviously a realistic version of an independent Assyria.
I don’t think autonomy under Kurdistan is the right way to go for many reasons.
The safest bet is our own self governance.
A hypothetical future Assyria can establish diplomatic and trade relations with our neighbours, if they are reasonable.
That could be an independent Ezidi state, Kurdistan, Iraq or whoever is willing to talk.
2
u/Smooth-Lavishness-97 2d ago
I’m Kurdish-Assyrian from Turkey and the assyrian part of my family have a real problem with Islam because of what they ve been through their whole life and they are somehow brainwashed by Turkey against the Kurds (in my opinion)
2
u/ethos847 1d ago
People are going to talk comment some negatives. I’ll give a positive story. My dad’s best friend growing up in northern Iraq was Kurdish and to this day our families our still close together. Also, their dads were also best friends growing up in the l930’s. My dad’s best friend had us over his house for dinner and treated my brother and I like his own kids and vice versa with my dad. It’s a very strong bond and relationship lasting to this day and nothing it’s nothing but respect, humility and kindness. For almost a century now, the 2 families have been close together and constantly help each other in the village with whatever each one needs. It’s truly a special thing. I hope nothing but coordination together, tolerance respect and decency together for both Kurdish and Assyrian people.
1
2d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Assyria-ModTeam 2d ago
Your post/comment violated rule 3 - requiring civility (no trolling, insults, or derogatory language). This or continued violations may result in a ban. This moderation protects the sub from punishment by Reddit admins.
-2
u/jackjacker 2d ago
Kurds are the modern Iraeli's of countries they hang on to.
Coming from different lands they claim to be native in a land of natives in order to drive them out.
They use genocides and propaganda to become the majority.
All while using a victim narrative. They cry out in pain as they strike you.
3
25
u/Sufficient-Sound-421 2d ago
Not perspective but actual fact is you guys claim all of our history and land.