NORTH & EAST SYRIA: Syriac Union Party and Assyrian Democratic Organisation agree on further joint workings

ZALIN (QAMISHLI), Syria – In their ongoing meetings of joint coordination, a delegation from the Syriac Union Party (SUP) in Syria, headed by SUP Co-Chair Sanharib Barsoum, and including executive members Afram Ishaq and Joseph Lahdo, on Saturday, visited the headquarters of the Assyrian Democratic Organisation in Zalin (al-Qamishli). They where received by ADO leader Daoud Daoud, and ADO party officials Gabriel Mushe and Gebro Romanos.

The two parties discussed the latest developments in Syria, among which the effects of the Caesar’s Law on the Syrian people.

The two Syriac parties agreed on a memorandum of understanding in 2017 and convene in regular meetings for joint coordination and establishing mechanisms to reach desired political solutions for Syriacs in Syria, within the current international framework. The two Syriac parties agreed on a further number of joint political, diplomatic and social activities.

The Syriac Union Party is a founding member of the Democratic Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria.

The ADO espouses the Assyrian denomination for the Syriac people. Since the start of the Syrian war in 2011, ADO is a peaceful member of the Istanbul-based Syrian National Council led by George Sabra and of which the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood is the largest member. ADO has a delegation to the Geneva Constitutional Committee, i.e. the UN-led talks between the Syrian Baath Regime, the Syrian Opposition and civil society organizations.

The ADO’s relationship with the DAA remains somewhat strained and cautious although the memorandum of understanding has created positive traction for joint work for the Syriac people in North and East Syria and Syria, of which the DAA is part.