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Assyrian Levies
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The Assyrian Levies were a most noteworthy feature of Iraq, and especially of northern Iraq during the years of the mandate, and no account of the Assyrians or indeed of Iraq itself would be complete without some account of them.
The Assyrian Levies distinguished themselves in the fighting to overcome the Rashid Ali revolt of May 1941. The force thereafter grew and survived until the final British military withdrawal from Iraq in 1955.
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Encyclopedia
The Assyrian Levies were a most noteworthy feature of Iraq, and especially of northern Iraq during the years of the mandate, and no account of the Assyrians or indeed of Iraq itself would be complete without some account of them.
The Assyrian Levies distinguished themselves in the fighting to overcome the Rashid Ali revolt of May 1941. The force thereafter grew and survived until the final British military withdrawal from Iraq in 1955.
History
The original Levies were not Assyrians until 1928 when the levies became entirely Assyrian. The force expanded rapidly and became known as "Shabanas", a Turkish word meaning a semi-military gendarmerie.
As they became more disciplined they rendered excellent service; during the Arab rebellion of 1920 they displayed, under conditions of the greatest trial, steadfast loyalty to their British officers.
In 1920 the Assyrians had given proof of their fighting qualities when the camps at Mindan and Baquba were attacked by the Arab rebels.
1930's
In 1931 Assyrian levies and Iraqi army units were patrolling Barzan district. Government troops implied government control, which Shaykh Ahmad still wanted to avoid.
On June 1, 1932 the Assyrian levies presented a signed memorial to their Commanding Officer stating that "all the men had decided to cease serving as from 1st July." The reason was Britain had "failed adequately to ensure the future of the Assyrian nation after the termination of their mandate over Iraq."
"They had dug trenches and were determined on destroying the Assyrians and taking their properties and possessions. Assyrians painfully remembered the massacre of 1933 in Simele and the surrounding villages and pledged "Never Again!". They remembered the raping and pillaging of defenseless Assyrian villagers."
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