A large gathering of Syrians is scheduled to meet in Damascus on Tuesday for a one-day national dialogue conference, seen as a significant step in the country’s transition to a new political system following years of Assad rule. However, concerns have been raised about the hurried arrangements for the summit, the lack of representation from minority groups, and the influence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist armed group now in power in Syria.
The conference aims to discuss recommendations that will guide the drafting of a constitutional declaration outlining the basic principles of Syria’s new governance, as well as plans for transitional justice, economic reforms, and institutional restructuring. These proposals will be forwarded to a new transitional government taking office on March 1, as per Hassan al-Dughaim, spokesperson for the conference’s organizing committee.
The event holds significance for Arab and Western nations, who have linked the restoration of full relations with Syria, including the possibility of lifting sanctions, to the inclusivity of the political process in representing Syria’s diverse population. The preparatory committee, consisting of seven members, conducted listening sessions across Syria’s provinces to gather input from various regions, featuring over 4,000 attendees in total.
While some view this process as a step towards democracy, others criticize it as a mere formality to legitimize HTS’s authority since the ousting of Assad. Concerns have been raised about the committee’s composition, with the absence of Druze and Alawite members, as well as the short notice given for the conference, preventing some opposition figures from participating.
Despite these challenges, the conference is anticipated to be a crucial milestone in shaping Syria’s future political landscape and fostering a more inclusive decision-making process.
In northeast Syria, a summit was held where both the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and representatives from the region were invited, according to officials from the involved groups who spoke to Reuters. A total of 24 invitations were extended to notable figures from the southern province of Suwayda, which is known for its significant Druze minority population.
However, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, the spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze community, expressed his dissatisfaction with the proceedings. In an interview with Reuters, he stated, “Until now, we respect all opinions, but we haven’t seen the ability to lead the country or shape a state in the correct way. We’re going along with it, hoping that things will become organized or that something new will happen by the end of the transitional period.”
Hajri and others emphasized the importance of international involvement to ensure that the process would result in the establishment of a civilian state characterized by the separation of powers and the rule of law. However, despite offers of assistance from the United Nations for the summit, these offers were not accepted by HTS, as confirmed by two Western diplomats and two U.N. officials.
Aron Lund, a fellow at Century International, a think tank focused on the Middle East, remarked, “To me, this looks like a box-ticking exercise.” He noted the necessity for HTS to demonstrate a solid foundation for a transition and highlighted the uncertainty surrounding how diverse opinions would be taken into account. Lund pointed out the dilemma facing Washington and Europe regarding their stance on the process: accepting it could potentially further empower HTS, while rejecting it and disengaging from Damascus might lead to Syria descending into chaos.
Despite facing criticisms, the opportunity for an open discussion – a rarity in Syria for many decades – brought joy to many participating Syrians. Catherine Altalli, a Syrian human rights lawyer who was briefly detained during the anti-government protests in 2011, attended a session focused on rural Damascus. She expressed her happiness with the event, although she had concerns about how a new constitution would safeguard the rights of her Christian sect. “This is the beginning of democratic life… where opinions are expressed freely, and that is something special,” she remarked.
This report was compiled by Timour Azhari in Damascus; Maya Gebeily and Yamaam Shaar in Sweida; with additional contributions from Firas Makdesi and Kinda Makieh; and was edited by Sharon Singleton.
