Nadine Maenza
@nadinemaenza • 54,054 subscribers
Advocate for international religious freedom & working family policies. Co-Chair IRF Roundtable, Chair @engageyourworld, Advisor @ShaiFund, Former Chair @USCIRF
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I am here in NE #Syria to see how the community is doing after 200+ airstrikes from #Turkey targeting water & electrical plants, schools, hospitals & other critical civilian infrastructure. As you can see, they destroyed this electrical plant. Because of bombings like this, over 2 million people are without water or electricity, with 48 people killed, including women & children. Just days ago, President Erdogan had the audacity to ask, “what happened to human rights” complaining that #Gaza is without water & electricity, suggesting hospitals & schools have been targeted. Yet here in NE Syria, HE is the one who has destroyed water & electrical plants, hospitals & schools. Where is the international outrage? They are our allies in the fight against ISIS & have built a democracy & pluralistic society that welcomes all religious & ethnic communities as equal citizens with half the leaders being women. This is how to build peace & stability in the region. It is important that the US & international community stand with them & against Turkey’s continued attacks.
Nadine Maenza1,489,296 views • 2 years ago
Honored to testify at House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority’s “Syria at a Crossroads” hearing. This past year, Syria’s security forces attacked minorities & took the NE by force. US must weigh how its policy impacts religious freedom—especially for Christians, Yazidis, Druze, Alawites & Kurds—and press Damascus to change course. Watch full hearing (3 1/2 hours): Read detailed written testimony & recommendations here:
Nadine Maenza80,037 views • 4 months ago
I’m here in #Armenia, on the border with #Azerbaijan — with the Lachin Corridor behind me. This was the site or the ethnic cleansing of 120,000 Armenian Christians. This corridor once connected Armenia proper to Nagorno-Karabakh, or #Artsakh — a part of ancient Armenia, the first nation to adopt Christianity in 301 AD. For nine months, Azerbaijan blockaded this road, cutting off all food and supplies causing a severe humanitarian disaster. Then in September 2023, backed by #Turkey, Azerbaijan launched a military assault — forcing 120,000 Armenian Christian to flee their ancestral homeland. This was ethnic cleansing. Yesterday, I sat with a young to woman whose sister was horrifically tortured and killed — with the video shared online by Azeri soldiers. I heard a similar story about a young man. Despite a verbal peace agreement, Azerbaijan keeps adding new conditions. And every night, they fire across the border at Armenian homes — even near international observers. The U.S. and international community must act — to stand with Armenia and make clear that it should not be forced to give up one more inch of land. We also need to help residents of Artsakh rebuild their lives and demand Azerbaijan release all the Artsakh prisoners. And we must ensure that Armenian Christians are never again subjected to persecution or victims of genocide or ethnic cleansing.
Nadine Maenza73,955 views • 10 months ago
On i24NEWS English, I discussed violence against the Druze in Suwayda & troubling conditions for Syria’s minorities—driven by a Constitution that marginalizes instead of guaranteeing equal citizenship. U.S. & intl community must press for decentralization with local governance & security. It’s the most viable path for al-Sharaa’s success—and for long-term stability.
Nadine Maenza76,533 views • 11 months ago
Glad to be back in NE #Syria! I am in Tel Tal, one of the 34 #Assyrian villages along the Khabur River. This #Syriac-#Assyrian community has endured incomprehensible suffering as one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. In 2015, ISIS targeted them for genocide, killing several, kidnapping over 250 for ransom, taking over a year for the last to be released. As you can see, they also destroyed their Church, St. Odisho. Most families here fled the Ottoman Empire during the #Armenian & #Assyrian Genocide starting in 1915 to #Iraq, only to be forced to flee after the #Simele Massacre in 1933 and was eventually resettling in the Khabur Valley by the League of Nations. The Khabur River used to provide enough water for these Assyrian villages to thrive, producing some of the most famous produce in the world as part of the Fertile Cresent. In November 2019, #Turkey invaded just north of here & has built 3 dams draining the river, making it difficult for Christians to farm & support their families. So thankful to the Shai Fund for their new water project that delivers water to 13 of the Khabur River villages and to families in Al-Hasakah - almost 1200 total families! This is how to support Christians’ ability to stay in their homeland. It is important we stand with the Syriac-Assyrian Christians and all the people of NE Syria against Turkey’s continued attacks.
Nadine Maenza69,094 views • 1 year ago
It's with a heavy heart I'm here in Damascus at the Mar Elias Church, the site of a suicide bomber on June 22, who came in this entrance, shot several people, and then killed himself right here with a bomb that killed 30 and wounded over 50. This was the first attack in decades in Damascus, so it shook the Christian community here and throughout Syria. But it also united the Syrians against these kinds of terrorist attacks. In fact, I was surprised to learn from the priests here that a majority of the people that came in to clean up the day after the bombing were actually the Muslim neighbors, along with the Christian neighbors. And when they collected donations for the families and church, a majority (85%) of them were from the Muslim community. This shows that while there are sectarian divisions in Syria caused by decades of brutal Assad rule that was meant to divide these religious communities, there's a desire to live in peace together. And the way the community responded to this horrific attack just shows that there's hope for Syria. Please pray for Syria, pray for the Christians still recovering from this horrific attack in the neighborhood, and for all the people of Syria - Sunni, Christian, Arab, Kurd, Alawite, Yazidi, Druze, and others that mostly want to live together in peace in an inclusive Syria. The last shot of this video shows the martyrs from this horrific attack. Please continue to pray for their families, this community, and this beautiful country.
Nadine Maenza36,434 views • 9 months ago
The Khabur Valley in NE #Syria is home to 34 #Assyrian villages, some of the world’s oldest #Christian communities. Was vibrant & famous for produce. ISIS horrific crimes here in Feb 2015 forced most to flee. #Turkey’s control of Khabur River & attacks make it hard to stay. 1/
Nadine Maenza105,095 views • 3 years ago
On World #Kobani Day, let’s stand with the people of NE #Syria who stopped ISIS 10 years ago after 133 days of epic battles. They would continue fighting for 5 more years to eliminate the ISIS Caliphate with support of the US-led Coalition. They have built a cohesive society that embraces #ReligiousFreedom & gender equality by building self-governance called the Autonomous Administration of North & East Syria. Their biggest threat is not ISIS but #Turkey, who in the past few weeks has conducted 1,031 attacks with 17 mostly civilians killed & 65 injured. These attacks include 118 drone strikes, 20 air raids & 893 mortar & artillery shellings. These attacks have created an environment allowing ISIS to rise again. I made this video a few years ago to show how Kobani has kept a section of the city to look exactly how all the city looked after the defeat of ISIS, calling it their museum. While they have rebuilt a vibrant city, Turkey’s constant attacks have forced many to leave. The US & international community need to stand against these attacks & urge a dialogue for Turkey to settle its own Kurdish problem. It is the only way for long-term peace & stability
Nadine Maenza56,688 views • 1 year ago
Happy Easter from NE Syria! ✝️ While I’m missing my family this morning, I feel incredibly blessed to celebrate among one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, in the very heart of where Christianity began. Normally, Easter is on different dates for the churches in the East and rhe West. This year, th Christians of the world are celebrating together. I am in the oldest church in Qamishli. Many Syriac-Assyrian Christians here are descendants of those who fled the Armenian-Assyrian Genocide starting in 1914—escaping the Ottoman Empire, now Turkey, whose borders are just a few miles from here. Others also had family that survived the 1933 Semile Massacre in nearby Iraq. And just ten years ago, ISIS targeted this community in the nearby Khabur Valley for genocide—killing several and kidnapping over 250. Not a single one of them renounced their faith, even under threat of death. They have endured so much over the years, but today they gather to celebrate the one who gives us reason for our faith. The Syriac-Assyrian Christians here in NE Syria have played a critical role in building an inclusive regional government creating some of the best religious freedom conditions in the region. As they now look to integrate into the new Syrian government, they are hoping to preserve these conditions and the government and civic institutions that help create them. Please pray for the people of Syria during this crucial transition, especially the Alawites and other targeted with horrific violence in the coastal areas on March 8. This Easter, I am praying for peace, stability, and equal citizenship for all of Syria.
Nadine Maenza35,616 views • 1 year ago
Why does NE #Syria matter? On CBN News I shared how after Syrian Democratic Forces defeated #ISIS they built democracy that over-represents religious & ethnic minorities creating stability & remarkable #ReligiousFreedom conditions. #Turkey's goal is to eliminate them unless US threatens consequences. Appreciate powerful segment featuring IRF Secretariat colleague @CHedding48732 with the Shai Fund reported by Chris Mitchell showing the development of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) DAANES is the key to stopping ISIS from rising again. They empowered communities to build self-governance creating an inclusive society where everyone is treated with the same human dignity, regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender. This is the only way to permanently defeat extremism. Even during the overthrow of #Assad, Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) split from HTS after capturing #Aleppo & many went north to the Shehba Region where #Kurdish, #Yazidis & #Christian IDPs reported being targeted with crimes forcing 100,000+ to flee to Raqqa & Tabqa. If Turkey is allowed to invade again, there will be more atrocities against these communities. The US & international community should use all the levers they have - including threatening sanctions - to stop Turkey from invading again.
Nadine Maenza40,101 views • 1 year ago
Great being back in NE Syria & in #Raqqa! Raqqa was the HQ of the ISIS Caliphate with Al-Naeim square being horrific place of violence. Now it’s HQ of Autonomous Admin of N & E #Syria with #ReligiousFreedom & half leaders being women. Celebrations are now held here instead!
Nadine Maenza67,098 views • 3 years ago
Spoke with i24NEWS English right after ceasefire was announced. I first learned of NE Syria’s remarkable religious freedom when I joined USCIRF—something they highlighted for years. The test now is safety + inclusion: minorities must have a real role in local security & governance. Forces linked to abuses—with ISIS patches or under US/EU/UK sanctions—cannot be put in charge of minority areas. With these new developments, the goal remains the same: a safe and stable Syria for all Syrians.
Nadine Maenza12,057 views • 4 months ago
Terrible to see Pakistani authorities participate in the destruction of 3 Ahmadiyya Mosques in 10 days across Punjab under pressure from Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Police not only failed to protect the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community but actively engaged in this state-backed persecution. The US & international community must condemn this violence & push for justice & accountability.
Nadine Maenza25,856 views • 1 year ago
It's wonderful being back in NE Syria! So glad to join the Yazidi Community for Red Wednesday. Happy New Year to my Yazidi Friends! As you can see, the people of NE Syria built this government that over-represents religious minorities. It's multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and the Yazidi community plays a big role as government officials and as leaders of civil society. The Muslim Community and Christian community are here – an Imam even spoke - and they're all coming together and celebrating. As negotiations to integrate NE Syria into the Syrian government continue, it's important that the civil institutions and the government they've set up here in NE Syria are included and protected. As you look around, you can see this is what all of Syria wants - equal citizenship for everybody - regardless of ethnicity, religion, or gender. I originally was planning to go to Raqqa today to meet with the co-chairs of the Democratic Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria, but I found out they were going to be here in the Jazira Canton instead, celebrating with the Yazidi community. This is what makes NE Syria different!
Nadine Maenza21,140 views • 1 year ago
You can’t fight ISIS with just weapons, you must build governance that fills security & governance voids that otherwise exist. The people of NE #Syria are doing that, building a society that is inclusive of all religions & ethnicities, which is the only way for lasting peace.
Nadine Maenza22,516 views • 2 years ago
Hello from the Thomas Gate in Damascus, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world! Of course, Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus. This is such an important time here as people seek to recover after 50 years of brutal Assad family rule and civil war that left 500,000+ dead and over 12 million displaced, over half of the population. It was heartwarming flying here this morning with so many returning to Syria and seeing family for the first time in years. In late November & early December, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) & their leader, now known as Ahmed al-Sharaa, led in the overthrow of the Assad Regime and now lead an interim government. While encouraged by the warm welcome and interim president Al Sharaa’s promise to build a government that includes all of the diverse religious and ethnic communities of Syria, I am anxious to see real progress towards that goal. I look forward to talking with the Syrian people, including those from the different religious and ethnic communities, to better understand the conditions. Most importantly, I want to understand how we can best support them. We are all rooting for Syria to succeed and put the decades of unimaginable suffering behind them.
Nadine Maenza13,280 views • 1 year ago
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