09/01/2025

Head of Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union Joseph Sliwa urges inclusive rebuilding after overthrow of Syrian Baathist regime

Beth Nahrin — Joseph Sliwa, head of the Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) in Iraq, hailed the removal of Syria’s Baathist regime as a significant and positive milestone. Describing the Arab Socialist Baath Party as an ethnic dictatorship, Sliwa acknowledged the relief and hope this change brings to Syrians. However, he expressed grave concerns about the potential rise of a new authoritarian regime, this time cloaked in religious ideology, which could undermine the aspirations of Syria’s diverse communities.

A Call for Transformation

Sliwa highlighted the psychological and societal tendency to replicate familiar systems of oppression, warning that Syria might fall into the same cycle. He specifically pointed to the new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose background includes ties to groups once affiliated with Al-Qaeda. While acknowledging Al-Sharaa’s controversial past, Sliwa emphasized the possibility of ideological transformation.

“Human history is full of examples of individuals transitioning from far-right to far-left ideologies or from deep religiosity to atheism, and vice versa,” Sliwa remarked, signaling cautious hope for progressive change in Syria’s political landscape.

Hopes for a Modern, Inclusive State

Sliwa urged al-Sharaa to guide Syria toward the creation of a modern, civic state that guarantees the rights of all its citizens, free from the dominance of any single religious or ethnic identity. He underscored the importance of adopting a secular framework, particularly in multi-ethnic societies like Iraq and Syria, as a means to ensure unity, equality, and the protection of diverse communities.

A Lesson for the Future

Calling on the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) communities in Syria to draw lessons from Iraq’s experience, Sliwa urged them to reject internal divisions and focus on fostering a better future for all Syrians. He advocated for a collaborative and inclusive political framework that prioritizes national interests over sectarian or narrow agendas.

As Syria embarks on a critical rebuilding phase, Sliwa’s remarks underscore the delicate balance between optimism and caution, highlighting the challenges of establishing a truly democratic and inclusive state in a region marked by complex histories and diverse identities.