During a national dialogue conference, Syria’s interim president emphasized the historic opportunity for rebuilding following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Ahmed al-Sharaa underlined the importance of armed groups merging into the military and the state establishing sole control over weapons, asserting that Syria’s strength lies in unity.
The 600 delegates at the conference are tasked with providing recommendations on transitional justice, the economy, the new constitution, and other crucial topics to guide the new transitional government. However, there has been criticism about the rushed nature of the process, with the Kurdish-led militia alliance and autonomous administration in north-eastern Syria not receiving invitations.
For over five decades, the Assad family governed Syria with a firm grip, with Bashar assuming the presidency in 2000 after his father’s passing. In 2011, Bashar violently suppressed a peaceful pro-democracy movement, igniting a destructive civil war that claimed over 600,000 lives and displaced 12 million people.
After fleeing to Russia on 8 December, Bashar was replaced by Sharaa as president for the transitional period, following a swift advance by the rebel alliance led by Sharaa’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Subsequently, the rebel commanders disbanded the 2012 constitution, dissolved state institutions, and integrated rebel factions into new government bodies.
Sharaa pledged to host a national dialogue conference to shape Syria’s future, with plans for a constitutional declaration to guide the transition. The organising committee announced the formation of six working groups to address transitional justice, the new constitution, state institution reform, personal freedoms, civil society’s role, and the economic model.
Sharaa emphasized the establishment of a transitional justice body to redress grievances and prosecute war criminals. He reiterated the necessity for non-state armed groups to disarm and relinquish control, stressing the state’s duty to monopolize arms for national unity and strength.
While the interim government controls major cities, various armed groups hold significant territories. Notably, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by the US, govern much of the north-east as the military arm of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
The SDF has not yet agreed to integrate into the new state institutions, illustrating ongoing challenges in unifying Syria’s diverse armed factions.
In the ongoing efforts to form a new Syrian army, discussions have been underway amidst concerns over the exclusion of key groups. The recent conference, aimed at shaping the country’s future, has sparked controversy with the absence of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) at the table. Despite this, the organizers have pressed on, emphasizing the need for representation from all facets of Syrian society.
The decision to omit the SDF and AANES from the conference has elicited strong reactions. SDF spokesman Farhad Shami expressed disappointment, alleging that the exclusion undermines the inclusivity of the talks. Criticism has also come from within the AANES, with various parties decrying the perceived token representation of Kurdish and other minority groups. Such sentiments underscore the complexities of uniting a fractured nation and finding genuine solutions to the enduring crisis.
Amidst these debates, voices advocating for broader dialogue have emerged. Moutasem Sioufi of The Day After stressed the importance of engaging all Syrian stakeholders, particularly those wielding significant influence on the ground. The call for comprehensive engagement reflects a recognition of the diverse dynamics shaping Syria’s political landscape and the imperative of fostering unity amidst diversity.
Internationally, the conference’s outcomes are being closely monitored, with a focus on the inclusivity of the political process. The global community has urged for a representative framework that respects the country’s myriad ethnic and religious groups, signaling a commitment to upholding pluralism and democratic values in post-conflict Syria.
The legacy of the civil war continues to loom large, with the US, UK, and the European Union maintaining targeted sanctions on Syria in response to past atrocities. While some restrictions have been lifted post-Assad’s regime, the path to full economic recovery remains contingent on the new leadership’s adherence to pledges of minority rights protection and democratic progress. The recent EU decision to suspend sanctions in key sectors for humanitarian purposes marks a nuanced approach balancing aid with accountability.
Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani has welcomed the EU’s move but remains critical of ongoing sanctions, denouncing them as unjust and antithetical to the will of the Syrian people. The discourse around sanctions reflects divergent views on their efficacy in driving political change versus their potential to hinder national rebuilding efforts. The complexities of international sanctions regimes intersect with domestic aspirations for sovereignty and self-determination, shaping the broader narrative of Syria’s post-conflict trajectory.
Notably, the presence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, underlines the complexities of counterterrorism measures within the Syrian context. Designated as a terrorist organization by global bodies, HTS remains a focal point for international scrutiny, necessitating a delicate balance between security imperatives and diplomatic engagements.
As Syria navigates a delicate phase of transition, the challenges of unifying divergent factions and reconciling past grievances loom large. The quest for a cohesive national identity amidst the mosaic
