Two people were injured in a violent attack on Tuesday during an Assyrian Christian celebration in the northern Iraqi city of Dohuk, located in the autonomous Kurdistan region. The assault occurred amid the Akitu springtime festival, an important cultural event for the Assyrian community, which marks the first day of their calendar year.
According to local officials, the attack took place in a busy market area, where the assailant, armed with a cleaver, targeted members of the Christian community participating in the celebrations. A 65-year-old woman was struck on the head and sustained a haemorrhage, though her condition is reportedly stable and does not require surgery. Additionally, a 25-year-old man suffered a minor scalp injury, but he was also reported to be in stable condition.
The Kurdistan region’s Asayesh police force is actively investigating the incident, though they have yet to determine whether the attack was a “terrorist” act. The authorities have arrested a Syrian suspect in connection with the attack, although details regarding the motive remain unclear. Dohuk’s governor, Ali Tatar, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and security forces are working to determine the full scope of the attack.
The Christian community in Iraq has been facing significant challenges over the past two decades. Iraq’s Christian population has dwindled dramatically, from approximately 1.5 million before the fall of Saddam Hussein to an estimated 400,000 today. The majority of the community has fled the country to escape violence and persecution, especially in the wake of the rise of extremist groups like ISIS.
The attack in Dohuk has raised concerns about the safety and security of minority communities in Iraq, particularly as tensions remain high in the region. The Assyrian Christian community has faced decades of hardship, and this latest assault adds to their ongoing struggle for peace and protection in the face of continuing instability.
