Assyrian incident

Iraqi history

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June 18, 2026

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The "Assyrian incident" refers to a violent event in 1933 involving the Assyrian Christian community in Iraq's Mosul province. Following Iraq's admission to the League of Nations and the end of the British mandate, Assyrians felt insecure and demanded assurances. In the summer of 1933, during King Fayṣal's absence, clashes with Iraqi troops resulted in the deaths of several hundred Assyrians. This incident brought the issue of minority rights to the League of Nations and led to a change in Iraq's government, with a more moderate administration replacing the one in power. The Assyrians were an ancient kingdom in northern Mesopotamia, located in what is now northern Iraq and southeastern Turkey.12

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Iraq
Independence, 1932–39
The first incident was the Assyrian uprising of 1933. The Assyrians, a small Christian community living in Mosul province, were given assurances of security by both Britain and Iraq. When the mandate was ended, the Assyrians began to feel insecure and demanded new assurances. Matters came to a head in…
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The first incident was the Assyrian uprising of 1933. The Assyrians, a small Christian community living in Mosul province, were given assurances of security by both Britain and Iraq. When the mandate was ended, the Assyrians began to feel insecure and demanded new assurances. Matters came to a head in…
Read More