The Executive Body of the Syriac Union Party (SUP) in Syria held a meeting to discuss the situation in Syria and the latest developments in Holeb (Aleppo). It also discussed the situation of Syriac-Assyrian people and the other ethnic components in Holeb. After the meeting, the SUP Executive Committee issued the following statement:
Statement to Public Opinion
Amid the ongoing shifts in Syria—marked by changes in control and the weakening of Syrian regime forces and their allies in the face of military factions such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA)—we must confront the harsh realities of these factions’ actions. Their involvement in widespread violence, demographic changes, and the displacement of diverse communities, including Syriacs-Assyrians, Kurds, Yezidis, and others in regions like Rish Ayno (Ras al-Ayn), Tel Abyad, and Cafrin (Afrin), is deeply troubling.
In light of recent developments, particularly the factions’ control over Holeb (Aleppo) following the expulsion of the Syrian regime and Iranian militias, there are mounting concerns about the safety and security of ethnic and religious communities. Vulnerable groups such as the Syriacs-Assyrians, Armenians, and other Christian communities, as well as the Kurds, face threats of displacement and the imposition of laws that undermine the national and religious pluralism of Holeb.
Simultaneously, the continued Syrian and Russian airstrikes targeting civilians remain a reprehensible act. All parties must prioritize isolating and protecting civilians from this conflict. We urge the Syriac-Assyrian people in Holeb to remain steadfast, organize themselves, and take charge of their affairs to adapt to the new realities.
The Syrian regime bears primary responsibility for the tragedies endured by the Syrian people, having relied on military solutions and rejected efforts for peaceful resolutions, including UN-led initiatives aligned with international resolutions. Compounding the crisis, the regime’s alliance with sectarian Iranian militias has violated Syria’s sovereignty and exacerbated the suffering of its people. This approach has intensified the conflict, perpetuating injustice and hindering efforts to liberate regions from the grip of the regime and Iranian influence.
The Syrian Union Party (SUP) underscores the urgent need for international intervention to protect civilians and counter Turkey’s expansionist ambitions in Syrian territories. These ambitions threaten the Democratic Autonomous Administration and jeopardize the region’s ethnic and religious diversity through acts of genocide and displacement.
We reaffirm our support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have played a crucial role in defending the ethnic and religious communities of North and East Syria. Furthermore, we call on the international community to pressure the Syrian regime to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, facilitating a political transition toward a Syria founded on justice, freedom, and democracy for all its citizens, regardless of political, national, or religious affiliations.
Syria, 04/12/2024
Syriac Union Party Executive Body
