Key Points
- Axe attack disrupts annual Assyrian Akitu celebrations in Dohuk
- Attacker yelled Islamic State slogans before injuring three participants
- Victims include 17-year-old boy and 75-year-old woman with skull fractures
- Assyrian leaders condemn extremist ideologies while affirming cultural resilience
Thousands gathered in northern Iraq’s Dohuk province on April 1 for the Assyrian Akitu festival, a 6,700-year-old tradition celebrating renewal and cultural continuity. The procession turned chaotic when an unidentified man charged the crowd brandishing an axe. Witnesses reported hearing the assailant shout “Islamic State remains” before striking multiple victims.
Among those hospitalized was Fardi Abdullah, a teenager whose family fled ISIS violence in 2014. His mother Athraa described the cruel irony: “We escaped terrorism only to face it again at what should be a safe celebration.” Security camera footage shows Kurdish police and parade attendees subduing the attacker within 45 seconds of the first strike.
Regional experts highlight three critical factors in this attack: First, Assyrians constitute less than 2% of Iraq’s population, making them vulnerable targets. Second, social media platforms saw a 300% spike in anti-Christian rhetoric during the 48 hours post-attack. Third, the Kurdish Regional Government’s security protocols – praised during previous Akitu events – failed to prevent this breach.
Janet Aprem Odisho recounted her 75-year-old mother’s ordeal: “He swung the axe like a warrior. When Mama fell, I thought she was gone.” Medical staff at Dohuk General Hospital confirmed both female and young male victims required emergency neurosurgery.
Political leaders like Ninab Yousif Toma of the Assyrian Democratic Movement emphasize systemic solutions: “This violence stems from educational systems promoting religious supremacy. We’ve coexisted peacefully with Muslim Kurds for decades – they bring us water during Ramadan parades.”
The attack underscores broader regional tensions. A 2023 UN report notes 83% of religiously motivated attacks in Iraq target non-Muslim communities. However, Assyrian organizers defiantly continued their parade, with participants waving a blood-stained flag as a symbol of perseverance.
