Hasaka, Syria (AINA) -- A personal conflict between an Arab Muslim from the al-Radhi family and an Assyrian Christian from the Abraham family culminated in the murder of an Assyrian man on October 16. The Arab member of the Al-Radhi family enlisted the aid of members of his family and klan, including an officer in the Syrian Army, Mudhar al-Radhi, to attack and kill Naseem Abraham, a 35 year old married Assyrian man. The Arab attackers mutilated Naseem's body, dragged his body in the street, and insulted the Christians in that quarter of the city.

When Naseem's friend Yalda Yacoub, aged 25, rushed to attend to his friend, he was prevented from do so, attacked and shot. He was transferred to the hospital in Damascus. Yalda Yacoub died on the same day at the hospital.

Mr. Sulaiman Yousuf, a member in the Political Bureau of the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), states that the family and relatives of Yalda Yacub burned the homes and shops of the al-Radhi family. Later, some 2000 Christians demonstrated in front of the governorate building and clashed with police; no injuries were reported. Representatives from the Abraham and Yacoub families met with the governor and demanded the deportation of the al-Radhi family from Hasaka and the execution of the killer.

Mr. Yousuf added that today, Sunday October 31, the situation in Hasaka is calm; however tension is rising and the city is almost under curfew as the body of Yacoub is arriving from Damascus.

The Assyrian Democratic Organization asked the authorities to control the situation quickly and resolve the reasons that led to the killings. Mr. Yousuf stated that a Church and Muslim tribal dialogue is underway seeking to deport the al-Radhi family by next Monday, ahead of Naseem's burial day to avoid any clashes with the Abraham family. However, the death of Yacoub inflamed the situation further and there is fear of anticipated troubles during the burial ceremonies, especially when the earlier Qamishli unrest are still looming on the region.

The Assyrian Democratic Organization stressed the urgency to get the matter under control to avoid sectarian strife.