Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why did many Babylonian citizens prefer Assyrian rule to rule by Aramaean or Chaldean tribesmen?

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Reconstructed Ishtar Gate at Babylon near Al-Hillah, Iraq, featuring blue walls decorated with rows of yellow and white animal reliefs and a central arched entrance. — Babylon A reconstruction of the Ishtar Gate at the ruins of Babylon, near modern Al-Ḥillah, Iraq.

Many Babylonian citizens preferred Assyrian rule over that of Aramaean or Chaldean tribesmen primarily due to the protection of their established rights and economic interests.

The citizens of Babylon held specific privileges, including exemptions from forced labor, certain taxes, and imprisonment. Because the Assyrians shared a similar cultural and administrative background, they were generally more willing to recognize and uphold these traditional privileges than the immigrant tribesmen were.

Furthermore, the Babylonian citizenry had grown wealthy through commerce and relied on a stable imperial power to protect international trade. In contrast, the disruptive activities of Aramaean and Chaldean tribesmen frequently caused economic hardship and administrative instability. Consequently, the citizens viewed the Assyrian presence as a more reliable guarantor of the city's prosperity and legal order compared to the tribal groups that frequently encroached upon their territory and political autonomy.1