For more than a century, the Assyrian village of Kashkawa, situated in the Nahla Valley of northern Iraq, has endured repeated cycles of displacement, destruction, return, and, more recently, ongoing disputes over its agricultural lands. Recent reports from residents alleging renewed cultivation of disputed lands despite court rulings in their favour have once again drawn attention to Kashkawa.

For centuries, the Monastery of St Behnam and St Sarah has stood as one of the most important Christian sites in the Nineveh Plains. Located near the ancient city of Nimrud in northern Iraq, the monastery has long served as a place of pilgrimage, prayer, and cultural significance for the region's Assyrian community.

The Assyrian National Council – Australia Inc. (ANCA) and The Young Assyrians (TYA) will host the Policy Summit on the Future of the Nineveh Plains at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday, 1 July 2026 (Assyria Day).

National security must remain paramount. Equally important is recognising the pain and trauma endured by Assyrian Australians, many of whom are survivors or descendants of survivors of ISIS atrocities. It is unconscionable that individuals who willingly joined ISIS, committing acts of treason and violence, are now being considered for return, further threatening the safety of our communities.

The Young Assyrians (TYA) had the distinct honour of visiting the Iraqi Embassy in Canberra, where we were warmly received by Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Yarub Al-Anpaqi, and Counselor, Mr. Uday A. Khamas.