Qamishli, Syria (AINA) -- A genocide memorial monument for the victims of the Turkish genocide of Assyrians during World War One was unveiled today in Qamishli, Syria. The Turkish genocide occurred between 1915 and 1918 and targeted Assyrians, Armenians and Pontic Greeks -- the Christian subjects of the Ottoman Empire. 750,000 Assyrians were killed (75%), 1.5 million Armenians and 500,000 Pontic Greeks.

The ceremony was attended by Patriarch Aphrem, head of the Syriac Orthodox Church and Bishop Afram Athneil of the Assyrian Church of the East, as well as Syrian dignitaries.

Turkey has denied the genocide and claims the victims were casualties of war.

Related: The Assyrian Genocide

The monument is the 18th genocide monument erected by Assyrians in various cities throughout the world (AINA 2013-08-08). Yesterday a genocide monument was unveiled in Locarno, Switzerland (AINA 2016-06-19).

The genocide monument comes on the heels of the German recognition of the Assyrian and Armenian genocide two weeks ago (AINA 2016-06-06). To date, 13 countries, municipalities and organizations have recognized the Assyrian genocide.

Hours after the ceremony a suicide bomber attacked a related event but was stopped by members of the Sutoro Assyrian militia. Three Assyrians were killed and five wounded in the attack (AINA 2016-06-19).