Syriac Union Party welcomes agreement between SDF and Syrian Transitional Government, highlights absence of Syriac-Assyrian rights from agreement and advocates for their inclusion

BETH ZALIN, Syria — The Syriac Union Party (SUP) issued a statement following the signing of an integration agreement between General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi and President of the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The SUP expressed cautious optimism, stating:

“This agreement is a positive step towards promoting dialogue and understanding among Syrian people. It also stands against conspiracies and strife among the various Syrian components. It represents a genuine and correct beginning by the Syrian Transitional Government towards resolving all pending issues in Syria, to build a sound and strong foundation for all Syrian institutions which involve all Syrians, regardless of their national and religious affiliations, as well as ensuring their rights are obtained under the new Syrian constitution.”

Calls for Implementation and International Support

The SUP emphasized the need to take decisive steps to implement the agreement’s terms, including establishing transitional institutions with representatives from all Syrian communities. Additionally, it called for international support to aid reconstruction efforts, facilitate the return of displaced persons and refugees, and lift sanctions imposed on Syria.

Inclusion of Syriac-Assyrian Rights

However, the SUP voiced concerns about the agreement’s shortcomings.

“The agreement is incomplete and does not reflect the aspirations and rights of the Syriac-Assyrian component as an indigenous Syrian component, from which Syria derived its name,” said the SUP. “Despite the participation of the SUP and Syriac institutions in the structure of the Autonomous Administration, the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Democratic Council since their establishment, this was not included in the agreement.”

The SUP reaffirmed its ongoing struggle for a free and democratic Syria that guarantees full national and religious rights and equal citizenship for all its people.

Legacy of Sacrifice and Struggle

The statement also highlighted the contributions of the Syriac-Assyrian community in shaping Syria, despite decades of marginalization and persecution:

“During the years of the Syrian revolution, the Syriac-Assyrian component made significant sacrifices in confronting the dictatorial regime and the Islamic State. The Syrian picture cannot be complete, nor can stability be achieved, without fair equality in rights and duties among all Syrians, so that we can join hands to build a united and strong Syria that protects its people and preserves their individual and collective rights, amid this historical phase that Syria and all its components are going through.”

Call to Action

The SUP concluded by urging Syriac-Assyrian people in both the homeland and the diaspora to fulfill their historical duty to defend their identity, rights, and existence while reaffirming their deep historical roots in Syria.