(AINA) -- The U.S. Department of State expressed concern to representatives of the two main Kurdish parties in northern Iraq, regarding the establishment of Assyrian secondary schools in northern Iraq. Both the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) and the PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) denied having any knowledge of the situation which Assyrian organizations and individuals have confirmed.

The State Department stated that both parties requested more details including the town and the local Assyrian authority which has been denied permission. Assyrians in the U.S. expressed surprise that the State Department had no knowledge of this situation. Assyrians in northern Iraq are fearful that by the time there's a resolution, the school year will be over and the Assyrian students will further fall behind.