The Syriac Union Party receives advocates for International Religious Freedom in Zalin in North and East Syria

ZALIN, Syria — On 24^th May, advocates for International Religious Freedom visited the Syriac Union Party (SUP) in Syria, at the SUP headquarters in Zalin (Qamishli) in North and East Syria.

The visiting delegation included former Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and President of PatriotVoices Nadine Maenza, and Senior Program Officer and Director of Middle East Action Team at the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) Jeremy Parker.

Just arrived in NE #Syria & stunned to hear Erdogan announce he may invade again. Glad to hear US speak against.

How can an invasion targeting civilians with killings, rape & kidnappings be considered a war crime in #Ukraine but be ok when #Turkey does the same here in NE Syria? pic.twitter.com/lB8PbA0fI0

— Nadine Maenza (@nadinemaenza) May 24, 2022

The delegation was received by SUP Co-Chair Sanharib Barsom, SUP official Elizabeth Gawriye, SUP official and Deputy Co-Chair of Foreign Relations Department in the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria Abeer Elia and spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Aram Hanna.

They discussed the situation in North and East Syria, especially the recent Turkish threats against the region. The USCIRF delegation denounced the Turkish threats and potential military operations in North and East Syria.

The situation of the Christians, including the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people in Syria was also touched on.

The SUP delegation talked about the SUP pursuit for national unity and the recent discussions between the political parties of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people, which resulted in a joint document of understanding between the SUP, the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) and the Assyrian Democratic Party.