Assyrian martyr: A son and brother to us all
Jani Bet Oushana was a child of Iran’s Assyrian community, born on a hot summer day in August of 1964. As a member of the ancient ethnic group, he was raised in the bustling Makhsoos neighborhood of Tehran, where the streets were then alive with the sounds of commerce and chatter. From a young age, Jani displayed a deep reverence for the Christian faith, which was shared by the vast majority of his Assyrian peers.
From an early age, Jani was determined to make the most of his education. He poured himself into his studies, earning a diploma in literature from his high school. His love for knowledge and literature was evident to all who knew him, and he often spent hours lost in the pages of books.
But Jani’s true strength lay not only in his intellect but also in his unwavering moral compass. He was known among family and friends as a young man of great character and integrity, always willing to lend a helping hand or offer a kind word to those in need.
Jani had always been passionate about serving his country, and when the Iraqi-imposed war broke out, he knew that someday he had to do his part. When the time came, he enlisted in the army and was assigned to the 55th Airborne Brigade of the Iran Army.
Jani was a skilled soldier. He was determined to defend his homeland and protect his fellow countrymen from the invading Iraqi forces.
In 1985, Iran launched a massive offensive known as Operation Badr. Jani and his fellow soldiers were tasked with recapturing lost territory and pushing back the Iraqi forces. They were given advanced weaponry and sent into battle with a fierce determination to succeed.
The fighting was intense, with heavy casualties on both sides. Jani and his comrades fought bravely, pushing forward despite the danger. They advanced through several key Iraqi cities including Basra and Baghdad, dealing a devastating blow to the enemy’s military capabilities.
But tragedy struck during the operation. Jani was martyred in eastern Tigris, and his remains were left behind enemy lines. He was considered missing in action for a long time, and his mother awaited his return until the time of her passing.
Finally, a probing task force uncovered Jani’s remains last winter, and after DNA testing was conducted, his identity was confirmed. The nation held its breath in anticipation of his long-awaited homecoming. For years, Jani had been missing in action, leaving his family and fellow soldiers in a state of perpetual grief and uncertainty.
Sadly, Jani’s immediate family members had all passed away in the intervening years, leaving no one to welcome him back with open arms. His parents and three brothers had gone on to the next life, leaving Jani to be mourned by a nation that had never forgotten his sacrifice.
But even in death, Jani was not alone. His compatriots, those who had fought alongside him and those who had only heard of his bravery, came together to honor him at a glorious funeral. It was a bittersweet moment, for while Jani was finally laid to rest with the dignity and respect he deserved, none of his immediate family members were there to pay their respects.
Yet, the funeral was a testament to the fact that all the martyrs of the country are esteemed the same, regardless of their faith or background. Jani had given his life for his country, and in death, he had become a symbol of its strength and resilience.