Around 200 Assyrian Christians protested outside the U.N. building in Iran's capital Thursday to demand action to halt ISIS' victimization of their community in Syria and Iraq. (File Photo)[/caption]TEHRAN: Around 200 Assyrian Christians protested outside theU.N.building in Iran's capital Thursday to demand action to halt ISIS' victimization of their community inSyriaand Iraq.
ISIS has "destroyed Assyrian monuments in Syria and Iraq. We ask the international community, especially the U.N., to hold aSecurity Councilmeeting" to decide on military intervention, Hovik Behboud, an organiser, told AFP.
"We are gathered here for the international community to hear our voice and seek their help in the release of prisoners," said Nancy Aldo, one of the demonstrators, who wore orange scarves as a sign of solidarity with the Assyrians kidnapped byISISin northern Syria.
Last week, ISIS bulldozed the ancient ruins of Nimrud, a city in northernIraqfounded in the 13th century BC and considered one of the jewels of the country's Assyrian period.
In February, ISIS militants kidnapped 220 Assyrians in the mainly Kurdish province of Hassakeh and have reportedly released 19 of them for ransoms.
Iran's own Assyrian minority, numbering around 25,000, is officially recognized by the authorities and has one representative in parliament.
By AFP
