Dwekh Nawsha
| Dwekh Nawsha | |
|---|---|
|
ܕܒܝܚ ܢܦܫܐ Participant in the Iraqi insurgency (2011–present) | |
|
A Dwekh Nawsha fighter holding the militias flag and emblem, which features the Assyrian flag with two AK 47s crossed. | |
| Active | mid 2014–Present |
| Allegiance | Assyrian Patriotic Party |
| Leaders | Majid elia[1] |
| Area of operations | Northern Iraq |
| Strength | 60[2] |
| Allies |
 Peshmerga |
| Opponents |
 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant |
The Dwekh Nawsha (Syriac: ܕܒܝܚ ܢܦܫܐ; literally "one who sacrifices") is an alleged military organization created in June 2014 in order to defend Iraq's Assyrian Christians from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and possibly retake their lands currently controlled by ISIL.
The Dwekh Nawsha operates in coordination with the regional and international security forces.[3]
Despite being led by the Assyrian Patriotic Party, most militiamen are not members of the party.[3] Several foreign fighters have joined the Dwekh Nawsha;[4] they include Americans, French and Australians.[5]
Sons of Liberty International, who had previously trained the Nineveh Plain Protection Units, announced in fall 2015 that they will begin training Dwekh Nawsha in their fight against ISIL. [6]
See also
References
- ↑ "Christians reclaim Iraq village from ISIS". CBS News. United States. Associated Press. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
- ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-sight/wp/2015/04/06/the-christian-militia-group-defending-refugees-livelihood-against-islamic-state-in-iraq/
- 1 2 Henderson, Peter (30 October 2014). "Iraq's Christian paramilitaries split in IS fight". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
- ↑ Paraszczuk, Joanna (19 February 2015). "The American Vets Fighting Against IS (And They're Not Mercenaries)". Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
- ↑ Collard, Rebecca (27 March 2015). "Meet the Americans Who Have Joined an Iraqi Militia to Fight ISIS". Time. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
Oakes, Dan; Dredge, Suzanne (16 February 2015). "Islamic State: Australian man joins 'self sacrificers' group Dwekh Nawsha fighting militants in Iraq, calls for international support". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 15 June 2015. - ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". Sons of Liberty International. Retrieved 7 November 2015.