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Assyrian Syriac powers looking to unify positions for future of Syria

Along the lines of the inter-Kurdish talks, Syria’s Syriacs and Assyrians appear to be joining hands in holding an internal dialogue to unify their vision and national discourse in the country.

The Assyrian Church of the Virgin Mary, which was destroyed in 2015 by the Islamic State, in the village of Tal Nasri, south of the town of Tal Tamr, northeastern Hasakah province, Syria, Nov. 15, 2019.
The Assyrian Church of the Virgin Mary, which was destroyed in 2015 by the Islamic State, in the village of Tal Nasri, south of the town of Tal Tamr, northeastern Hasakah province, Syria, Nov. 15, 2019. — Delil Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images

A few months ago, three Syriac Christian groups launched an inter-Syriac dialogue in a bid to unify their national Syriac and Assyrian discourse and offer a common vision for the future of Syria.

These groups, which seek to represent Syriacs and Assyrians politically and constitutionally in Syria, include the Syriac Union Party, the Assyrian Democratic Party — both of which operate under the umbrella of the Syrian Democratic Council affiliated with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) — as well as the Assyrian Democratic Organization that is affiliated with the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces.

According to the London-based The New Arab pan-Arab newspaper, the Syriac dialogue appears to be going the opposite direction of the inter-Kurdish dialogue, which has been marred with challenges since it was launched, preventing the Kurdish parties from reaching an agreement. The Syriac dialogue aims to reach common positions and a clear vision for the future regardless of the parties’ political affiliations. 

Although the Syriac forces participating in the dialogue have various affiliations — some close to the Kurds and others to the Syrian opposition — they all agree on the need to reach a common vision for the good of the country, away from any interference or mediation by any party. 

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