Destruction of Chaldean and Assyrian Christian cemetery in Kuyyeh, Iraq

The Chaldean and Assyrian Christian cemetery in Kuyyeh, Iraq, was attacked by Islamists, resulting in the breaking of tombstones and the opening of some coffins.

On December 3, 2025, the Christian cemetery located in the "Hermuta" area in the "Kuyeh" district of Erbil province in northern Iraq, which belongs to the Chaldean, Assyrian, and Syriac communities, was targeted for destruction and desecration.

According to reports published in various media outlets, more than 15 graves in the cemetery were attacked, tombstones were broken, and some graves were opened. According to witnesses, many tombstones were broken with hammers and various tools, and some graves were left uncovered and open.

The Christian community in the region, while expressing intense anger and grief, emphasized this point, saying: "Even our eternal tombs have not been spared from the harm of Islamist groups." This reaction reflects the fear of the renewed targeting of Christian heritage in Iraq.

In response to the above attack, authorities and institutions, while emphasizing the prosecution and reconstruction of the graves, issued an urgent order to form an investigation committee at the level of Erbil province. According to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government, a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the incident and the reconstruction of the cemetery will begin at official government expense.

Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani called the attack a "shameful and destructive act" and stressed that security authorities must quickly identify and punish the perpetrators. On the other hand, the Chaldean Church of Erbil thanked the government for its reconstruction efforts and efforts to protect the sanctity of Christians.

Christian representatives in the Kurdistan Regional Parliament also warned that this attack is not just against Christians, but is a direct blow to the foundation of coexistence and diversity in Kuwayh and all of Kurdistan.

The Assyrian Democratic Movement (ZOWAA) and the Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union have also described the incident as part of a "continuous pattern of attacks on Christian tombs and holy sites," warning that these actions target not only Christian heritage, but also the foundations of social peace.

The statement from the Christian community representatives said: "Muslims and Christians have lived together in this land for many years, but the attack on our graves shows that the danger of division and hatred still exists."

In recent years, the Christian community in Iraq, which includes Chaldeans, Assyrians, Syriacs, and Armenians, has suffered greatly. Before 2003, the Christian population in Iraq was estimated to be between 1.2 and 1.5 million, but over the past two decades, faced with war, displacement, security, and economic pressures, this number has now fallen to under 250,000.

Although the Iraqi Kurdistan region and cities such as Erbil and Kuwayh have historically been known for religious and ethnic coexistence, this incident is a reminder that even Christian shrines are under threat, an issue that has the Christian community concerned about the future of their presence in the land.

The recent attack on the Christian cemetery in Kuyyah is not just an ordinary act of destruction, but a shocking sign of the continuing threat to Iraqi Christians and their historical and religious heritage. Despite official promises of prosecution and reconstruction, this incident shows that religious minorities in Iraq continue to face the threat of hatred and violence, even against the dead. For the Iraqi Christian community and Christians around the world, this incident is a serious warning. There is a need for vigilance, solidarity and global support to preserve the identity, history and security of minorities.