By Musa Ergin On 2 July 1915, Hacı Başar Bey gathered the Kurdish and Arab tribal leaders of Midyat, seeking their support for attacks against Christians. Ali Batte’s response was, "Whoever attacks the Christians will find me standing against them." This clear and resolute stance helped prevent potential mass massacres in the area. The Heverki tribe saved the lives of hundreds of people by taking the Syriacs and Armenians in Tur Abdin under their protection.