Sayfo; Village of Hah

Hah: Tur Abdin's Sayfo Sanctuary

During the Sayfo, the Syriac Orthodox community in Hah (also known as Anıtlı), an old and significant settlement located 22 kilometers east of Midyat in Tur Abdin, experienced a period of intense self-defense and became a refuge for others. Hah was a large and ancient Syriac Orthodox settlement, home to the Mor Yoldath Aloho (Mother of God) church, one of Tur Abdin's largest and most ancient churches, dating to the sixth century. Historically, it had served as the seat of a bishopric for a significant portion of Tur- Abdin villages. Later, this See moved to the Monastery of Holy Cross, the to Karburan. The last bishop of this See was Mor Antimos Ya'koub from the village of Esfes (Yarbat). At the onset of the massacres, approximately 100 Syriac families resided in Hah. The area also contained numerous ruins of religious buildings.

News of massacres in the Armenian Christian villages to the north spread quickly. Hah's village headman, Rasho, traveled to Armenian regions to verify the atrocities. Upon his return, the Syriac community in Hah began to prepare for self-defense, strengthening their walls, building barricades, and collecting food and water.

As the situation worsened, Hah became a sanctuary for Syriacs fleeing violence in other areas. A local Kurdish chief, Hajo of the Kurtak clan, warned Hah's villagers of impending attacks and escorted people from Boqusyono and Der-Qube to Hah for safety. The population within Hah's walls swelled to 2,000 persons, including 200 armed adult men. Surviving youths from Shterako, a village where Syriacs were murdered by Kurdish neighbors, also managed to reach Hah.

In mid-August, Kurdish tribesmen and Turkish soldiers surrounded Hah. The village endured a 45-day siege with continuous fighting, day and night. Eventually, Shaykh Fathullah, a respected Muhallemi religious leader who had previously negotiated a ceasefire at 'Ayn-Wardo, arrived in Hah and arranged a similar ceasefire.