Malik Ismail II

Malik Ismail II of Upper Tyareh (1854–1936) was a prominent Assyrian malik (chief) of the Tyari tribe (Bit Tyareh), who was born in Chamba, which was the capital of upper Tyari. His father was Shlimon who was one of the two surviving sons of Malik Ismail I. Malik Ismail II grew into a brave and wise leader, known for his deep understanding of the political dynamics of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Turks later referred to him as "Ismail Beg".

Early life Malik Ismail was born in Chamba, capital of Upper Tyareh, in the year 1854. His father was Shlimon, who was one of the surviving sons of Malik Ismail the first. Ismail was the father of Malik Yaqo, who played a significant role in Assyrian history of the 20th century. Malik Ismail’s grandfather Malik Ismail I had fought bravely against Bedir Khan Beg’s forces in 1843, defending Upper Tyari’s autonomy and status until his last breath.

Malik Ismail II was known for being merciful, even toward enemies. In one incident, a group of Kurdish men who had ambushed and killed four Tyari men sought refuge in his home, fearing retaliation. After confessing their crime, they begged for his protection, which he granted. When Tyari tribesmen advanced toward Chamba seeking revenge, Malik Ismail attempted to discourage them. Despite his efforts, they insisted, saying: "It is no good, Malik, you have done your best, but we must have our revenge, and that is our last word. Stand out the way."

In response, Malik Ismail stood on a bridge and declared: "If that is your last word, now hear mine. These men are my guests now, and have eaten my bread and are in my house. What they did before is nothing to me, and if it were my own brother they had killed I would guard them now, and if you dare to attack, I and mine will defend them, and you will have to kill your own chief before you lay a hand on any one of his guests."

In late December 1899, Malik Ismail II led a force of 600 Tyari Assyrians under his command in a series of raids and the plundering of several Muslim Kurdish villages in the Levin Valley, carried out as an act of vengeance.

In 1907, With Malik Ismail II as Chieftain, the Ottomans sent troops to Hakkari to stop the fighting between the Assyrians of Tyari and Kurds. The Ottoman troops were successful in subduing the Kurds. The Assyrians of Tyari, however, defeated them and the Ottomans were routed and had their weapons seized.

World War I Malik Ismail II was one of the many Malik’s who served as a commander-in-chief of the Assyrian volunteers throughout the course of World War I, he participated in several military engagements and defeated the Ottoman Turks and Kurds on multiple occasions.

Battle of Chal (May 1916)

A Battle in the Kurdish mountains took place in May 1916, in the village of Chal. The Assyrian force had at the time split into 2 separate groups, one under Malik Ismail II and the other one under Dawid Mar Shimun. On 27 May, the Assyrian forces met up in the village of Chal launched the attack. After a fierce engagement with the Kurdish enemy, six of the best and most inaccessible castles of Chal were destroyed by the Assyrians, along with a couple of houses.

Death Malik Ismail II died at Hinaidi, Iraq, in 1936 after previously being sick in Baghdad. His remains were later moved to St. Mary's Assyrian Church in Baghdad in the 1970s. Malik Yaqo, one of his sons, became his successor and the next Malik of Upper Tyareh. thumb