AYN WARDO, Turkey — Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) organizations across Europe have urged the Turkish government to halt ongoing fieldwork related to the G25-Mardin Solar Power Plant project in the historic village of Ayn Wardo (Gülgöze), located in Medyad (Midyat) district of southeastern Turkey, warning of its potential impact on the region’s cultural and environmental heritage.
In a joint letter addressed to Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, the Syriac organizations stated that field operations for the solar energy project in Ayn Wardo have already begun, raising concerns that the village’s natural environment and historical landscape could suffer irreversible damage.
The signatories stressed that Ayn Wardo is one of the most prominent historic Syriac settlements in the Tur Abdin region and is home to churches, religious landmarks, and heritage sites of exceptional significance. As such, they argued, it forms an integral part of the diverse cultural legacy of Mesopotamia (Beth Nahrin).
They added that the planned large-scale project could negatively affect agricultural land, grazing areas, and tourism activities linked to the region’s religious and cultural heritage, while also threatening its historical identity.
The letter further noted that the lands included in the project were previously owned or used by Syriac families before large portions were registered under the Turkish Treasury during cadastral surveys conducted in the early 2000s. The organizations warned that implementation of the project could further complicate future efforts to resolve outstanding property ownership disputes.
While emphasizing that they do not oppose renewable energy projects in principle, the organizations stressed the importance of balancing development needs with the protection of cultural and historical heritage, as well as the rights of local communities.
They called on Turkish authorities to immediately halt the ongoing works, suspend the project in its current form, and relocate it to an alternative site that would not affect culturally or agriculturally sensitive areas. They also urged a comprehensive reassessment of the project, with the participation of Syriac community representatives, local residents, and independent experts at every stage of evaluation and decision-making.
Among the European Syriac organizations and associations that signed the letter are the European Syriac Union (ESU), the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), the Union of Tur Abdin Development Associations (DETA), the Syriac Federation of Sweden (SRF), the Syriac Union in Germany (HSA), the Central Association of Assyrian Organizations in Germany (ZAVD) and its European branches, and the Kano Suryoyo Foundation.
The appeal by the Syriac organizations came nearly a week after the Ayn Wardo Union submitted an official objection to the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. In its submission, the union stated that “the public interest — if it is to be genuinely achieved — must be assessed alongside environmental, cultural, agricultural, historical, and social considerations.” The Union also called on the authorities to reconsider and re-evaluate the project.
Ayn Wardo is widely regarded as one of the most important historic Syriac settlements in the Tur Abdin region, distinguished by a civilizational heritage spanning thousands of years. The village is home to several historic churches, including the Church of Mor Barsawmo (Mor Barsavmo) and the Church of Mar Had Bshabo, as well as traditional stone architecture and a unique cultural landscape.
Ayn Wardo was also listed among the endangered heritage sites requiring protection in the report Endangered Syriac Architectural Heritage in Tur Abdin, published by the Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (KMKD).
Moreover, Ayn Wardo is not the only area facing such controversy. A similar case occurred in the village of Midin (Öğündük), in the İdil district of Şırnak Province, where land on which solar panels were installed was expropriated despite being subject to a lease agreement between the energy company and local villagers.
The expropriation was carried out under an “urgent expropriation” decree issued by the Turkish Presidency, with compensation reportedly set at a very low level.
HOLEB, Syria — A delegation from the Syriac Union Party (Gabo d’Ḥuyodo Suryoyo, SUP) …
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