MSDBy Hussein Azzam
The Syrian Revolution began as peaceful and popular protests in marginalized Syrian areas in 2011. The protesters demanded freedom, dignity, and emancipation, and the end of oppression, corruption, and dictatorship. However, it expanded rapidly across different regions of Syria. The peaceful protests were suppressed by weapons, resulting in the killing of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of millions within Syria. Also, a lot of Syrians sought refuge in various regions of the world. The Syrian crisis turned into an international crisis, and Syria became a battleground for regional and international powers.
The Syrian Revolution was related to the uprisings of the Arab Spring and the preceding movements in other Arab countries. That urged Syrians regarding the possibility of achieving a real political change.
Key stages of the Syrian Revolution were as follows:
• The Syrian Revolution witnessed the first protest organized by civil society activists in Damascus on March 15, 2011. The protesters chanted slogans calling for freedom, prompting security forces to attack and arrest several participating activists in those protests.
• Subsequent protests expanded in Syrian cities and villages.
• The Syrian regime’s brutal repression of peaceful protests in 2011 indeed marked a significant turning point. Initially, the protests were focused on calls for freedom and democratic reforms. However, the violent crackdown by the regime led many protesters to shift their demands towards the outright overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.
• The Syrian Revolution witnessed the intervention of external parties supporting the regime, contributing to its survival and preventing its overthrow.
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Intervening parties were as follows:
– Sectarian militias have participated in supporting the regime militarily since the beginning of the Syrian Revolution.
– There were fighters from Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, and Afghanistan, supported the Syrian regime.
– Local armed militias have been more aggressive in confronting protesters.
– Iran is considered a political and military ally of the Syrian regime. It has significantly contributed to prolonging the regime’s survival and preventing its overthrow. It has provided support on economic and military levels.
– Russia has supported the Syrian regime politically and diplomatically since the start of the Syrian Revolution. That support later evolved into military involvement. Russia claims the legitimacy of its intervention based on two points: first, the intervention is to support a legitimate regime, the Syrian regime. Secondly, Russia’s support of the Syrian regime is based on UN Security Council Resolution 2249. This Resolution allows member states to take necessary measures to prevent and suppress terrorist acts on territories under the control of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Implications of the Syrian Revolution included as follows:
– The Syrian opposition has proven its failure in managing the Syrian Revolution.
– Many opportunists joined the Revolution seeking money or political positions, displaying a lack of credibility and integrity. These are fundamental traits of the Syrian opposition, whose commitments are not taken seriously. This opposition is opportunist and incapable of managing this Revolution entirely. It has exacerbated the conflict without achieving desired goals. It must be acknowledged that the revolution’s agents were responsible for its failure.
– This situation led to the exclusion of significant segments of Syrian society from the Revolution. These segments increased the social protection for the regime. They were not addressed with any genuine reconciliatory discourse. The Syrian political opposition has failed to express the demands of the Syrian people and to represent them. It has also failed to establish alternative national institutions in the areas under its control. It has not been capable to embody the core principles or ideals of political activity. It has prioritized personal gains over the broader interests of the Syrian people. Furthermore, it has not involved all Syrian segments in political decision-making. Additionally, it has not strengthened relationships and alliances with popular and political powers within Syria. However, it has not achieved the desired goal. Political opposition bodies are still unable to develop their policies, thus it constitutes the main obstacle to realizing their objectives.
The crucial impact of the Syrian Revolution on global affairs
The Syrian people have been embroiled in a revolution. Its primary goal was the social and economic destruction of the Syrian state’s structure. This has led to a prolonged conflict between the regime and the revolutionary factions, without a decisive resolution. There will not be any resolution until influential powers are convinced that Syria is destructive entirely. Thus, The Syrian Revolution has evolved from a rebellion against the regime into a conflict against the Syrian people. Justifying violence against one side in a conflict contributes to a never-ending revenge.
Visions of the Syrian Revolution
The hope for the success of the Syrian Revolution was immense among Syrians. The dream of escaping their current reality was a persistent one. They were aware of the negative impacts affecting them, but no one could have imagined that Syria would be destroyed. However, the Syrians were more surprised by the international community’s failure to intervene to stop what was called the tragedy of the twenty-first century. Instead, it supported the regime, allowing Syria to be destroyed gradually.
The World Bank report indicates that more than 85% of Syrians live in poverty. They are entirely dependent in their living on humanitarian aid provided by the United Nations or international charitable organizations. Nowadays, the Syria’s future appears very uncertain. The hopes of Syrians were that the Revolution would make a difference and achieve their aspirations. However, the regime’s decision to reject the change desired by the Syrians has led Syria to the deteriorating regarding security, public health, economy, and education. Therefore, the largest number of refugees are Syrians worldwide.
Normalization of Arab countries’ relations with Syrian regime
As the Syrian Revolution marks its 13th anniversary, it is essential to seek ways to improve the current conditions of Syrians. This involves overcoming all obstacles that have prevented the achievement of the Revolution’s goals. We should make collaborative efforts for Syria’s reconstruction. The Syrian people have made continuous sacrifices over fourteen years, but in vain and without achieving outcomes. The Syrian tragedy has become one of the greatest since World War II. There was not any progress in Geneva, Astana, and Sochi talks due to many political interests. This has deepened the disappointment of Syrians in achieving a political transition. These obstacles have further increased when some Arab countries attempted to normalize relations with the Syrian regime.
However, these futile attempts were under the pretext of halting Iranian expansion in Arab countries. This regime has caused killing and displacing millions of Syrians. So, it is incapable to revive its structure or establish alternative institutions to improve the situation for the Syrian people and the region as a whole. This means that the countries seeking normalization will not contribute to support this regime anew.
The International Stance on the Syrian Revolution
Given these circumstances, some parties attempt to attribute the causes of this multifaceted political situation solely to external factors. They held the international community and the influential countries on the Syrian issue, such as the USA, the EU countries, Russia, Turkey, and Iran responsible for that unresolved situation. These countries have made the Syrian issue international, marginalizing local parties. They have prioritized their interests without considering the interests of the Syrian people.
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Undoubtedly, external factors have affected the political situation over the years. However, we must not overlook that the political activity is linked to internal factors and the performance of the political opposition. Considering the type of the political activity required is crucial according to the Syrian Revolution, which has changed many concepts. Also, the opposition’s weak performance has led to the current disastrous situation.
This necessitates us to strive for feasible alternatives to achieve the demands of the Syrian Revolution.
The Experience of the AANES amid the current situation in Syria
In the regions of northeastern Syria, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) adopted a democratic path. It put forward its project for a peaceful and democratic solution and unconditional intra-Syrian dialogue by support of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC).
The regions controlled by the AANES are considered unique models in governance experiences in Syria, exemplary on all levels. The AANES project is the most secure option amid the current political situation. The AANES has achieved significant accomplishments for all components of Syrian society, especially those that were marginalized. It has worked to unify the ranks of all components of the Syrian people, involving women and young people in political, diplomatic, economic, service, and military activities. It fought the Islamic State (ISIS) and terrorist factions.
Also, it has achieved a crucial progress in various fields by adopting a democratic administration.
This has ensured coexistence, equality, and shared responsibilities for everyone in regions of NE Syria. Despite these regions being subjected to continuous threats by extremist groups, Turkish occupation, and the Syrian regime, the military and security forces affiliated to the AANES have managed to secure safety and security for the region. They have faced dangers with great bravery, thanks to trainings and their belief that the implementing the AANES experience is the best solution. The security and economic conditions in these regions may not be at the desired level, but this experience is certainly a developed model for the future of Syria.
Due to the current difficult reality and the unresolved political situation, all segments of the Syrian society should face the upcoming political, security, and economic challenges. This requires making necessary and genuine changes in various fields. Additionally, we should enhance fundamental factors for success, which include collective and participatory activities to achieve goals of the Syrian Revolution. Also, it is essential to revive Syria by reconstructing all destroyed regions and empowering its people economically and politically. This will prompt countries to reconsider their perspectives on the significant Syrian Revolution.
