USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza visits the Syriac Union Party in Zalin (Qamishli)

ZALIN (QAMISHLI), Syria — During her recent visit to North and East Syria, Chair of the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Nadine Maenza visited the headquarters of the Syriac Union Party (SUP) in Zalin and met with the party’s co-chairs and leaders from the Beth Nahrin National Council. They discussed the situation of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people in the region and the challenges they face.

Maenza was greeted by Isho Gawriye, member of the presidential body of the Beth Nahrin National Council, Elizabeth Gawriye, Syria executive member of the Beth Nahrin National Council, Aram Hanna, the spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and SUP co-chairs Sanharib Barsoum and Nazira Goreya.

The meeting participants also discussed the situation of Christians in North and East Syria, Syria in general, and the wider region.

The hurdles facing the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) preventing their return to their villages in the Khabur River Valley were also discussed, namely the ongoing Turkish attacks on the region.

Maenza expressed her admiration for the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA), referring to it as a model for promoting cohesion among the peoples of the region. She noted that she is trying to send supportive and positive messages about the DAA to American institutions, especially regarding the threat posed by Turkey to the minority ethnicities and religions of the region.

Maenza also stressed the importance of the Christian presence in the region and the need to support their legitimate demands and ensure their rights.

لقاء مع السيدة نادين ماينزا وناقشنا التحديات الموجودة على المسيحيين في شمال وشرق سوريا والتهديدات التركية التي تضرب استقرار المنطقة وبشكل خاص منطقة الخابور وسبل استمرار الشعب السرياني الاشوري في ارضه وضمان حقوقه كاملة،نشكر السيدة ماينزا على اهتمامها بقضايا المسيحيين والدفاع عنهم pic.twitter.com/Tbwlwzj7IH

— sanharib barsom (@SanharibB) January 13, 2022