Nattoreh


The Assyrian People's Guard – Nattoreh is an Assyrian Syrian militia based in the Khabur valley town of Tell Tamer northwest of Al-Hasakah, an area with a large Assyrian population. The militia is composed of local Assyrians and is along with the Khabour Guards affiliated with the Assyrian Democratic Party.

History

While its exact foundation date is unknown, some sources allege that Nattoreh was first set up on 1 October 2011. Since its formation, the militia has taken part in several Syrian Democratic Forces-led operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, such as the Manbij offensive, the Raqqa campaign and the Deir ez-Zor offensive. Nattoreh also protects ceremonies and celebrations of the Assyrian Church of the East.
On 25 February 2017, the Assyrian Democratic Party agreed to join the Syrian Democratic Council, and the YPG agreed to hand over security in the Assyrian towns along the Khabur River to the Khabour Guards and Nattoreh, both of which joined the Syrian Democratic Forces. On 13 April, PYD forces officially handed over the Khabur valley's villages to the Khabour Guards and Nattoreh, though the YPG kept a military base near Tell Tamer.
On 20 September 2018, Nattoreh joined the "General Command of the Assyrian Forces", an umbrella organization founded by the Assyrian Democratic Party.