Joint letter laments persecution of Assyrians in Iraq

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Assyrian Universal Alliance and the Armenian National Committee of America have sent a joint letter to Congressman Edward Royce, representative for California’s 39th congressional district, on the persecution of Assyrians in Iraq, Asbarez reported.

Royce is the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The letter expresses concern over the persecution of Assyrians and other minorities in Iraq by Islamic State fighters and calls attention to the flight of 200,000 Assyrians from their towns and villages in the Nineveh Plain in North Iraq, which was caused by IS moving into the area and capturing towns and villages.

The letter calls for the establishment of a safe haven in the Nineveh Plain, under UN protection, the creation of local Assyrian forces for protection and immediate assistance with humanitarian aid.

The letter was signed by Carlo Ganjeh, Americas Secretary for the Assyrian Universal Alliance, and Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America.