The Simele massacre was a horrific event that unfolded in August 1933, when the newly formed Kingdom of Iraq targeted the Assyrian community in the village of Simele. Following World War I and the fragmentation of the Ottoman Empire, the Assyrians, a Christian ethnic group, found themselves in a precarious position. The formation of the Iraqi state brought rising nationalist sentiment, which increasingly marginalized Assyrians and fueled tensions between the state and minority communities. With growing allegations of Assyrian disloyalty and collaboration with British authorities, Iraq's leaders sought to suppress these groups as a means to consolidate power and assert control over national identity.On August 7, Iraqi troops and gendarmes executed a brutal attack on the villagers of Simele. Reports detail the systematic killings, where families were slaughtered in their homes, leading to a devastating death toll of over 3,000 Assyrians. The attack was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of violence against Assyrians, which included forced displacement and destruction of property. International reactions were mixed, with some calls for intervention, but ultimately, the massacre led to a cycle of violence and further instability in the region.The aftermath of the massacre saw thousands of Assyrians fleeing to neighboring countries in search of safety. The event is commemorated annually by the Assyrian community as Martyrs Day, serving as a poignant reminder of the violence faced by minorities in their quest for survival and recognition. The legacy of the Simele massacre continues to resonate within Assyrian identity and serves as a somber reflection on the challenges minority groups face in the Middle East.