Sootoro
| Sootoro ܣܘܬܪܐ |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 2012–Present |
| Country | Syria |
| Allegiance |
 Syrian government
|
| Type | Light infantry (militia) |
| Role | Security and policing |
| Size | 500+ |
| Engagements | |
The Gozarto Protection Force (GPF) and Sootoro, united as one organisation (Syriac: ܡܟܬܒܐ ܕܣܘܬܪܐ ܣܘܪܝܝܐ, Arabic: سوتورو), are a regional militia based in Qamishli, Al-Hasakah Governorate, Syria, composed of members of the local an ethnic Assyrian and some Armenian communities, founded after the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War that began in 2011. Sootoro claims to be affiliated with the Civil Peace Committee for Syriac Orthodox. The Qamishli Sootoro is aligned with the Ba'athist government of Bashar Assad.
The Qamishli Sootoro should not be confused with the Sutoro police force which has the same name in the Syriac language, but uses the English translation "Syriac Protection Office" and the transliteration and a different emblem. The Sutoro is associated with the Syriac Union Party and integrated in the administration of the Federation of Northern Syria – Rojava.
In February 2013, the Qamishli branch of the Sutoro began open operations in the Christian neighbourhood of Wusta, which is located near the city centre and has an Assyrian/Syriac majority with a significant Armenian minority. Though it was initially organised by the Syriac Union Party, the Qamishli militia was subsequently brought under the control of a so-called "peace committee" composed of several Christian organisations from the city. The SUP soon lost virtually all influence on this group, which became seen by many SUP members as being controlled by agents of the Syrian government.
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Wikipedia