Toma Tomas
Encyclopedia
Toma Tomas also known by his nom de guerre Abu Joseph, was an Assyrian
politician and the leader of anti-government communist
millitias (al-Ansar) in northern Iraq during the 1960s and 70s.
to a Chaldean Catholic
in 1924. He witnessed the Simele Massacre
first-hand when Assyrians escaped the massacres to Alqosh. This event was crucial in shaping his political ideas in the future.
After finished elementary school in Alqosh
, he moved to Mosul
where he finished high school and joined the Assyrian levies
. He later found his way to Kirkuk
to work at an oil company. There he joined the Iraqi Communist Party
in the early 1950s.
which brought the communists to power. The situation didn'y last long however, the Arab nationalists revolted and the prime minister Abd al-Karim Qasim was executed. The communists where summarily executed and some headed by Toma Tomas fled to the mountains of Kurdistan where they formed armed guerilla’s known as the Ansar and joined the Kurds in their struggle against the central government.
For almost 30 years Toma Tomas led the Ansar in many battles against the Iraqi army in he region stretching from the Turkish borders to Telkepe to the south.
He died in Syria in 15 October 1996 and was buried at the Chaldean cemetery in Dohuk. His remains were reburied in his home town Alqosh in 2010.
Assyrian people
The Assyrian people are a distinct ethnic group whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia...
politician and the leader of anti-government communist
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
millitias (al-Ansar) in northern Iraq during the 1960s and 70s.
Early life
Toma Tomas was born in AlqoshAlqosh
Alqōsh or Alqūsh is one of the most famous Assyrian towns of the mainly East Syrian rite in Iraq. It is located north of Mosul. The name Alqosh is derived from an Akkadian name Eil-Kushtu, where "Eil" means God and "Kushtu" means righteousness or power...
to a Chaldean Catholic
Chaldean Catholic Church
The Chaldean Catholic Church , is an Eastern Syriac particular church of the Catholic Church, maintaining full communion with the Bishop of Rome and the rest of the Catholic Church...
in 1924. He witnessed the Simele Massacre
Simele massacre
The Simele Massacre was a massacre committed by the armed forces of the Kingdom of Iraq during the systematic targeting of Assyrians in northern Iraq in August 1933...
first-hand when Assyrians escaped the massacres to Alqosh. This event was crucial in shaping his political ideas in the future.
After finished elementary school in Alqosh
Alqosh
Alqōsh or Alqūsh is one of the most famous Assyrian towns of the mainly East Syrian rite in Iraq. It is located north of Mosul. The name Alqosh is derived from an Akkadian name Eil-Kushtu, where "Eil" means God and "Kushtu" means righteousness or power...
, he moved to Mosul
Mosul
Mosul , is a city in northern Iraq and the capital of the Ninawa Governorate, some northwest of Baghdad. The original city stands on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh on the east bank, but the metropolitan area has now grown to encompass substantial...
where he finished high school and joined the Assyrian levies
Assyrian Levies
The Iraq Levies was the first Iraqi military forces established by the British in British controlled Iraq. The Iraq Levies were a most noteworthy feature of the Kingdom of Iraq, and especially of northern Iraq during the years of the mandate, and no account of the Assyrians or indeed of Iraq itself...
. He later found his way to Kirkuk
Kirkuk
Kirkuk is a city in Iraq and the capital of Kirkuk Governorate.It is located in the Iraqi governorate of Kirkuk, north of the capital, Baghdad...
to work at an oil company. There he joined the Iraqi Communist Party
Iraqi Communist Party
Since its foundation in 1934, the Iraqi Communist Party has dominated the left in Iraqi politics. It played a fundamental role in shaping the political history of Iraq between its foundation and the 1970s. The Party was involved in many of the most important national uprisings and demonstrations...
in the early 1950s.
Struggle against the central government
He moved to his home town after the 1958 14 July Revolution14 July Revolution
The 14 July Revolution was a coup which took place on 14 July 1958 in Iraq, marking the overthrow of the Hashemite monarchy established by King Faisal I in 1932 under the auspices of the British. In 1958, the coup overthrew King Faisal II, the regent and Crown Prince 'Abd al-Ilah, and Prime...
which brought the communists to power. The situation didn'y last long however, the Arab nationalists revolted and the prime minister Abd al-Karim Qasim was executed. The communists where summarily executed and some headed by Toma Tomas fled to the mountains of Kurdistan where they formed armed guerilla’s known as the Ansar and joined the Kurds in their struggle against the central government.
For almost 30 years Toma Tomas led the Ansar in many battles against the Iraqi army in he region stretching from the Turkish borders to Telkepe to the south.
Later Years
Toma Tomas moved to Syria in the late 1980s. And was actively participated in Assyrian national conferences in the United States and Europe.He died in Syria in 15 October 1996 and was buried at the Chaldean cemetery in Dohuk. His remains were reburied in his home town Alqosh in 2010.
External links
- Toma Tomas' diaries, Zahrira