And next, Syria?

[ID47]

Israeli settlers eye land in Syria, Lebanon

With the Israeli army advancing into Syria following Assad's fall, a group promoting settlements in Lebanon is casting its gaze eastward.

www.972mag.com

‘As much and as quickly as possible’: Israeli settlers eye land in Syria, Lebanon​

With the Israeli army advancing into Syria following Assad's fall, a group promoting settlements in Lebanon is casting its gaze eastward.​

 

[zahir]

Housing, land, and property rights in Idlib

Review of HTS Policies Concerning HLP Rights in Idlib

Since its establishment in November 2017, the SSG has addressed issues related to housing, land, and property (HLP) rights in its areas of control. A review of SSG’s previous decisions can shed light about the upcoming phase. One of the most significant challenges faced by the SSG was addressing...

hlp.syria-report.com

However, its centralised governance model has diminished the independence of local communities. The unresolved issue of minority property rights remains a significant obstacle, highlighting the government’s struggle to fully break away from the legacy of Salafi jihadism and recognise minorities as equal citizens.

 

[zahir]

The problems faced by displaced people returning to wrecked communities

IDPs Return to Recaptured Maarat Al-Numan in Idlib, Find Widespread Destruction

Immediately after opposition factions seized control of Maarat Al-Numan in Idlib’s countryside on December 1, hundreds of forcibly displaced residents rushed back to inspect their homes, lands, and properties only to find the extent of destruction and vandalism that had afflicted their...

hlp.syria-report.com

Displaced resident Ahmed Al-Jarban described the city’s condition as dire, with his joy at returning home overshadowed by the immense destruction caused by the looting of residents’ properties.

The return of all displaced residents to Maarat Al-Numan remains highly challenging. The city, home to an estimated 370,000 people in 2004, has a population now scattered between Turkey, other host countries, and displacement camps in northern Syria, particularly in Mashhad Ruhin near the Turkish border. Many displaced residents cannot afford to repair or rebuild their homes without financial assistance.

Despite the devastation, some returnees have begun repairing salvageable homes. The correspondent witnessed one individual starting to rebuild a roof. However, the widespread destruction, ongoing military instability in surrounding areas, and financial barriers make a full return far from imminent.

 

[zahir]

Interview with Dareen Khalifa from International Crisis Group. She knows al-Sharaa/Jolani and points out that HTS had been quite open about what they intended to do but no-one had really been paying attention.

 

[zahir]

Interview with Joseph Daher

Ep 189: The Current Situation in Syria with Joseph Daher - The International Risk Podcast

This week Dominic has Joseph Daher back on the podcast. They discuss how the Assad Regime has fallen. Moreover they dive into what Turkey is hoping to get out of the fall of the Assad Regime, how Iran's Axis of Resistance might be crumbling slowly...

www.buzzsprout.com

This week Dominic has Joseph Daher back on the podcast. They discuss how the Assad Regime has fallen. Moreover they dive into what Turkey is hoping to get out of the fall of the Assad Regime, how Iran's Axis of Resistance might be crumbling slowly, what Israel is hoping to get out of the fall of the Assad Regime, as well as the difference between the HTS and SNA. Joseph and Dominic also discuss Assad's prisons and the 'disappeared'. Finally, Joseph gives his hopes for the future of Syria.

 

[zahir]

Military/defence oriented interview with journalist Wladimir van Wilgenburg about the position of the SDF in north east Syria. It's not clear when the interview took place and how far it represents the current situation on the ground.

 

[zahir]

Part of the SNA comes out in support of HTS. I'm not sure where this leads, whether they will be redeployed in other areas of Syria, or how far Turkey will still be financing and giving orders to them.

Hussam Hamoud

Beyond the future ahead, Al-Julani/Sharaa has successfully secured the loyalty of National Liberation Front: Over 11 major armed groups which HTS had fought and dismantled for years prior to Nov 27.
This pragmatism positions him to establish relations internally with any party.

 

[zahir]

https://www.fdd.org/analysis/op_eds/2024/12/18/who-will-form-the-core-of-jolanis-unified-army/

Ahmad al Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), commonly known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al Jolani, has unveiled a vision for post-Assad Syria. With HTS assuming control in the aftermath of the regime’s collapse, Jolani has pledged to dissolve existing armed factions and integrate their fighters into a newly formed national army under the auspices of a unified Ministry of Defense. This restructuring, he emphasized, will centralize military authority, enforce the rule of law, and ensure that weapons remain solely in the hands of the state.

The task of unifying these disparate groups into a cohesive and professional national army faces monumental obstacles. Beyond reconciling ideological, ethnic, and political differences, it requires dismantling deep-seated loyalties to foreign patrons and resolving localized grievances. Any unified army must also contend with the legacy of competing governance models established by various factions in their respective territories, each with its own administrative structure and military hierarchies. Without addressing these foundational fractures and fostering a shared vision for Syria’s future, efforts to build a unified force risk perpetuating the fragmentation that has defined the conflict.

 

[zahir]

HTS are going to be Syria's Azov, aren't they ?

It's looking more like Syria's Azov are going to be some of the armed factions that are due to be integrated into the new national army on the basis that they're better inside the tent.

 

[zahir]

Some green shoots of organising outside the structures of the new regime. This one seems to be an existing Syrian exile NGO launching itself in Damascus. Madaniya

Madaniya in Damascus-Rountable discussion on the political agency of the civic space post Assad — Madaniya

www.madaniya-csn.org

For nearly fourteen years, Syrian civil society organizations have persevered under exceptional challenges, striving to maintain a civic space where diverse voices and aspirations can converge around our country’s future. Today, as Syria stands at a decisive turning point, our role in reclaiming and strengthening the civic sphere’s political legitimacy has never been more critical.

In this context, Madaniya invites you to participate in its first discussion session to be held in Damascus, where we will examine our role in the current phase. This session will be followed by a press conference launching Madaniya’s work from Damascus.

Statement on political transition here

Mission statement here

We stand behind
Syria is strong in its diversity and pluralism.
Syria is an independent country enjoying full sovereignty over its entire territory.
All citizens of Syria have the right to live in dignity, with equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, language, political opinions, or other factors.
Syria upholds the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including freedom of expression and assembly, and freedom of religion and belief.
Syria protects women’s rights, and women play a leading role in public affairs.
Syria protects children’s rights and prioritises their education.
Syria is committed to democratic governance, rule of law, transparency, and accountability, with separation of executive, legislative and judiciary powers, and an independent judiciary.
Syria rejects all forms of violence, extremism, terrorism, and racism, and contributes to a just regional and international peace.
Syria is open to the world with diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations contributing to its prosperity.
Syrian Civil Society plays a key role in attaining the governance that guarantees these principles, in exercising oversight and accountability, and in contributing to public policymaking.

 

[The39thStep]

It's looking more like Syria's Azov are going to be some of the armed factions that are due to be integrated into the new national army on the basis that they're better inside the tent.

They'll be the Right Sector, Azov has more political muscle and reach

 

[zahir]

 

[zahir]

Aaron Zelin

Residents and activists from Manbij demand that the HTS-led caretaker government in Damascus administer the city due to the current poor conditions

eta:
Thomas van Linge

The SNA controlled Manbij for hardly a week and people are already begging the HTS to come take over the governance of the town.

The SNA's incompetence as a serious force on display once again.

 

[Petcha]

He came across very well in the interview I've just with him with Jeremy Bowen. Fingers crossed. He's promised he'll protect women's rights. But jesus, he's got a job on his hands rebuilding that country. He has to be taken off all these terrorist lists.

 

[Petcha]

Dp

 

[zahir]

Some demos today in favour of a secular state.

Rim Turkmani

Syrians are taking to the streets in mass numbers, demanding a civic and secular state in response to HTS’s talk of constitutional changes. Protecting Syria begins with safeguarding the freedom of civil society to express itself and supporting its efforts to build political parties, civic movements, and organisations.

eta:
Zaina Erhaim

A sit-in in Umayyad square in the heart of Damascus today demanding a secular, democratic & civil state. A new civil group has called for it in response to the formation of the transitional government & 100s showed up!

Short video (with subtitles) here

Shane Bauer

Pulled into Damascus today after 15 years away. One of the first things I saw hundreds gathered at Umayyad square, calling for a secular, civil state. The revolution continues. It’s great to be back.

“Extremism and fundamentalism drove many Syrians away from the revolution. It’s like the repression of the regime. We’re not going to let that happen…we’re here today to say that Syria will stay secular.”

“Religion is for God, and the nation is for everyone!”

Kareem Rifai

A peaceful demonstration today of Muslims and Christians together in the heart of Damascus, calling for a secular, democratic Syria.

The woman's sign reads: "there is no free society without free women."

Under Assad, this type of assembly was banned and violently put down.

Imagery of street interviews with people speaking freely.

Women with and without hijab, Free Syrian flags and regalia throughout the crowd. Free media reporting and no security force crackdown.

This is unthinkable stuff for the Damascus of just a few weeks ago.

Another sign, "Syria is free and secular."

Free Syrian flags and Syrians of all sects present.

Rami Jarrah

The leaflet that was being handed out translates to the following:

-------- START ----------

Civic Youth Gathering
A call for dialogue, active participation and non-exclusion

Our goals:
1- Demanding a national conference to form a committee of Syrian competencies to form a democratic institutional constitution that guarantees the rights of citizens and enhances the role of citizenship in building the future of Syria.

2- Contributing to raising awareness of the necessity of basing the constitution on the Human Rights Charter and achieving a state of law that protects the rights of citizens as individuals based on citizenship without discrimination based on gender, race, religion or sect.

Long live a free Syria for all Syrians
-------- END ----------

 

[_Russ_]

He came across very well in the interview I've just with him with Jeremy Bowen. Fingers crossed. He's promised he'll protect women's rights. But jesus, he's got a job on his hands rebuilding that country. He has to be taken off all these terrorist lists.

I thought he did a great job of appearing moderate butthe questions he wouldnt give a straight answer to betray his true intentions.
Saying they aren't like the taliban is easy...as easy as it was for the Taliban themselves to say they had changed.

The HTS are Islamic extremists

 

[zahir]

Left in Limbo: Uncertainty For Europe’s Syrian Refugees Post-Assad

Several European countries decided to pause the review and processing of all Syrian asylum applications, leaving many asylum seekers in limbo, fearing for their future.

timep.org

Just days after the momentous fall of the Assad regime, a number of European countries were quick to respond. But rather than surge humanitarian and civil society assistance into the country, express support for a peaceful political process, or reconsider the sectoral sanctions hampering Syria’s reconstruction, these countries’ first reaction was to pause the review and processing of all Syrian asylum applications, with some announcing their plans to return Syrian refugees.

In this piece, we argue that these decisions are not only premature, but also not commensurate with facts on the ground, unethical, and likely in violation of European countries’ international legal commitments.

 

[zahir]

He came across very well in the interview I've just with him with Jeremy Bowen. Fingers crossed. He's promised he'll protect women's rights. But jesus, he's got a job on his hands rebuilding that country. He has to be taken off all these terrorist lists.

Some comments about the interview from Thomas van Linge

Interesting interview but please, can the next international journalist interviewing Jolani, ask different questions aside from whether minorities will be allowed to remain. That part is quite clear now

Ask Jolani about the political rights of all Syrians, regardless of religion

Ask Jolani about elections, and how he envisions they take place. Ask him about the relationship between state and religion and whether Syria will remain secular, ask him about the rights of secularist sunnis, and about the ideas of decentralization or Kurdish autonomy

Very few journalists interviewing Jolani ask him about the political process ahead, and about his views as a politician. Asking only about churches, christmas decorations and alcohol is a very orientalist way of doing the interview.

 

[zahir]

https://archive.ph/eI1K4

Syria will remove all references to the former ruling Baath party from its educational system as of next week but will not otherwise change school curricula or restrict the rights of girls to learn, the country's new education minister said. "Education is a red line for the Syrian people, more important than food and water," Nazir Mohammad al-Qadri said in an interview from his office in Damascus. "The right to education is not limited to one specific gender. ... There may be more girls in our schools than boys"

Qadri said religion - both Muslim and Christian - will continue to be taught as a subject in school. Primary schools will remain mixed between boys and girls, while secondary education will stay largely segregated, he said. "After primary school, there were always schools for females and schools for males. We won't change that"

With the political and social contours of the new Syrian state still being drawn, Qadri said students would not be tested on their mandatory "nationalist studies" - previously a vehicle for teaching Baathism and Assad family history - this year.

 

[zahir]

Where to now for Syria's women?

After years of oppressive rule, Syrian women may finally have a chance at equality. But the window of opportunity is closing, writes Zaina Erhaim.

newint.org

HTS has ruled the northeastern city of Edlib, my hometown, since 2015. For years, women here have resisted misogynistic rules such as dress codes that required them to cover their hair and wear long coats, and limits on their ability to move around the city without a male guardian. But since rising to power after the dramatic capture of Aleppo earlier this month, HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa claims he will govern Syria with greater tolerance and social cohesion among minorities. Not everyone is convinced.

 

[zahir]

Leila Al-Shami: “The future of Syria will be decided by the Syrians and nobody else” - Freedom News

We are still in the early days of the regime’s collapse, but Syrians are already organising themselves ~ From Lundi Matin via Autonomies ~ Leila al-Shami and Robin Yassin-Kassab are the authors of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, an important book in which they recounted the early...

freedomnews.org.uk

When we interviewed you in 2019, you said that the Syrian people were facing several forms of fascism, that of the regime of course, but also that of certain Islamist rebel groups such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTC). Do you think that HTC has changed since then, at least strategically?

HTC has changed quite dramatically over the years. It has moved away from its roots in al-Qaeda, which was a transnational jihadist organisation, and transformed itself into a Syrian nationalist Islamist project. Joulani seems to be a pragmatist. He has a lot of experience in building institutions of governance, as he has ruled Idlib since 2017 through the Syrian Salvation Government. The Idlib government was made up of civilian technocrats appointed by the shura council, rather than democratically elected, and included no women in leadership positions. They were responsible for providing services, distributing humanitarian aid in coordination with international organisations and ensuring security. They did this under very difficult conditions, and Idlib and its economy were more stable than elsewhere in Syria, so they enjoyed some popular support. But they remained an autocratic and authoritarian force. While people had more freedoms in Idlib than in the regime-controlled areas, over the years we have seen continuous protests in Idlib against the HTS regime, due to the silencing of opponents, the imprisonment of critics and reports of abuses in prisons.

Since the overthrow of Assad, Jolani has clearly been trying to build popular and international legitimacy. He has reached out to minority communities (both religious minorities and Kurds) to reassure them of their future in the country. He has issued decrees banning any interference with women’s dress. Many Syrians feel reassured by these measures, but many are also cautious. We must not forget that this is a transitional government. The question now is to what extent other players, including progressive and democratic forces, will be involved in Syria’s future. And to what extent will another popular movement emerge from below to hold the leaders to account and continue to make progress towards the original objectives of the revolution?

 

[zahir]

Suhaib Zaino

Breaking | Commander Ahmad Al-Sharaa: “Syria must go through at least three stages. The first is for the new government to assume its responsibilities. The second is to convene a national conference that brings together all Syrians.”

“During this conference, key issues—such as dissolving the constitution and parliament—can be voted on. A consultative council would then be formed to fill the constitutional and parliamentary void until conditions are ready for elections.”

 

[zahir]

Gregory Waters

Interesting note from meeting w/ new Tartous Police Chief:

Idlib/SSG legal code is being used nationwide during the transition but it’s being adapted to each governorate’s social norms. Ex: anything relating to hijab or alcohol is removed in Tartous given the non-Sunni pop

 

[zahir]

https://aljumhuriya.net/en/2024/12/19/the-birth-of-a-new-syria/

Since Assad’s flight, I’ve received numerous messages from Western friends, cautiously congratulating me but quickly adding “Aren’t you afraid of the Islamists?” – a tiresome echo of the dominant narrative in Western media. These questions do not only irritate me because of their patronizing tone, treating Syrians as if they are naive children incapable of understanding the full picture; they also betray an ignorance of the realities on the ground. For instance, protests in Idlib against Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) persisted until just weeks before the final military operation that toppled the regime. The protesters there explicitly named Abu Mohammed al-Jolani (Ahmed al-Sharaa) and demanded his removal. What bothers me most about these repeated questions is their implicit belittling of Syrians’ immense suffering. It is as if the questioners are suggesting that Assad’s genocidal regime would be preferable, because it is supposedly “secular” (something which is blatantly untrue – Assad’s regime was never truly secular.)

Am I concerned about Islamist control over Syria? Yes, I am. But I prefer to approach this matter with cautious optimism rather than cynical fatalism. So far, most of the statements and actions from the operations room led by Ahmed al-Sharaa have been reassuring to Syrians, including religious and sectarian minorities, especially when compared to what many – myself included – had expected: factional chaos and waves of collective retribution.

Could they reveal another face once their power solidifies? Yes, this is possible. However, I choose to judge actions, not intentions. What is more important is my faith in the Syrian people – the same people who sparked an extraordinary revolution in 2011 against one of the most brutal regimes in the world and have endured immense sacrifices over the past 14 years to reach this moment. It may be possible for a new authoritarian regime – this time cloaked in religious garb – to emerge in Syria. Yet what is certain is that Syrians, shaped by all they have endured, will resist it with the same courage and determination.

 

[The39thStep]

Where to now for Syria's women?

After years of oppressive rule, Syrian women may finally have a chance at equality. But the window of opportunity is closing, writes Zaina Erhaim.

newint.org

Jenan Moussa translation of HTS leaders speech which gives some clues to their theological parameters for women

Thread by @jenanmoussa on Thread Reader App

@jenanmoussa: 1/ Hundreds protested in Damascus today for a secular state. One of the reasons for the protest was an interview an HTS official gave to a TV on women's rights. Below I’ll translate the interview....…

threadreaderapp.com

 

[zahir]

Christmas in Damascus

Photos: Christmas in Damascus is different this year, after al-Assad’s fall

The ancient Old City comes alive with lights, music and joy, Syrians talk about their their hopes now al-Assad is gone.

www.aljazeera.com

 

[zahir]

Jenan Moussa translation of HTS leaders speech which gives some clues to their theological parameters for women

Thread by @jenanmoussa on Thread Reader App

@jenanmoussa: 1/ Hundreds protested in Damascus today for a secular state. One of the reasons for the protest was an interview an HTS official gave to a TV on women's rights. Below I’ll translate the interview....…

threadreaderapp.com

Comment on this from Rim Turkmani

Two days ago, HTS spokesperson Obaida Arnaout made outrageous remarks in a TV interview about the role of women in Syria. He claimed that psychological and biological limitations prevent women from taking on certain roles and stated it’s “too early” for Syrian female judges to resume their positions (they have been suspended). He also suggested that women’s participation in administrative bodies should be reviewed by “experts” to define their limitations. Their own HTS experts, of course, who prevented women from assuming such roles in Idlib.

His comments sparked widespread ridicule by Syrians, making him the subject of mockery on Syrian social media. In response, women and men took to the streets, holding signs affirming Syrian women’s vital role in the country’s history and future. More protests are planned for Sunday. The pictures below are from Homs and Damascus.

 

[zahir]

Kurds in Syria Fear a New War After Fall of Assad

Amid celebrations over the end of the regime, leaders of key Kurdish groups say they fear U.S. abandonment and attacks by Turkish-backed militias

www.dropsitenews.com

“It is a bittersweet thing. Kurds are overall happy to see that Assad is gone, for all sorts of reasons. The regime was particularly oppressive towards Kurds even before the Syrian uprising, and many were even deprived Syrian citizenship,” said Mohammed Salih, a non-resident senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Middle East Program.

But those fears have now been replaced by the danger of further conflict with Turkey and the SNA. During the first Trump administration, the U.S. acquiesced to a Turkish-led invasion of the Kurdish-majority Syrian city of Afrin, whose population was later targeted for reported war crimes and ethnic cleansing by SNA militias. “The big fear is the ethnic cleansing of Kurds from northeastern Syria, which is a very valid fear based on what we have seen in the past from the SNA,” Salih said.

 

[CNT36]

Jenan Moussa translation of HTS leaders speech which gives some clues to their theological parameters for women

Thread by @jenanmoussa on Thread Reader App

@jenanmoussa: 1/ Hundreds protested in Damascus today for a secular state. One of the reasons for the protest was an interview an HTS official gave to a TV on women's rights. Below I’ll translate the interview....…

threadreaderapp.com

This is one of the areas I'm most dubious tbh. The demonstrations provide hope that the Syrians will stay active and at the very least keep the administration in check.