MSDBy Sahar Al-Homsi
HOMS, Syria (SDC) – Prior to the fall of the Assad regime, even raising the issue of civil society organizations was considered a sufficient charge to condemn Syrians to years in prison. Discussing their intellectual or political orientations carried the same risks and consequences. This repressive reality effectively erased the possibility of any constructive role such organizations could have played across social, political, and cultural spheres.
Following the regime’s collapse, however, the debate around civil society and its role has emerged as an urgent national necessity. Civil society organizations have come to occupy a central position in strengthening the values of citizenship, fostering dialogue among Syrians, and contributing to efforts aimed at reshaping the country’s political and economic landscape.
Yet, despite this apparent transformation, many activists and civil society practitioners remain cautious. Their reservations are rooted in the enduring security challenges that continue to dominate public life, particularly in areas formerly controlled by the regime. In these areas, profound shifts have taken place in both political structures and local communities. Addressing these realities has become an essential prerequisite for building a new Syria.
During the decades of Assad family rule, the work of civil society organizations remained constrained and largely limited to humanitarian or charitable relief. Today, however, there is a growing recognition of their strategic role in fostering stability and preserving social cohesion. At the same time, they are exerting pressure for transitional justice while defending Syrians’ rights. In this new phase, civil society organizations are expanding beyond emergency relief to play greater roles in development and rights advocacy. They are seeking to empower citizens and reinforce collective awareness in the post-Assad era.
Homs: A Pillar for Syria’s Stability
The emerging realities in Syria have imposed unique challenges on civil society organizations. These challenges are particularly acute in Homs Governorate, where violations have intensified across its neighborhoods.
Speaking from the city of Homs, lawyer and international relations expert Aref Istanbuli emphasized the critical role of these organizations. He noted that their central mission lies in strengthening civil peace and ending cycles of violence. They also aim to prevent Syrians from sliding into renewed conflicts that could obstruct the path toward a pluralistic and democratic state.
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Istanbuli stressed that Homs represents a pillar for Syria’s stability and civil peace in Syria. He argued that success in the work of civil society organizations in the governorate could serve as a model applicable across the entire Syrian territories.
He added, “Through the Civil Peace Group in the city, we seek to harness Homs’s sectarian diversity in favor of stability. We do this by strengthening tools of dialogue and pursuing avenues for de-escalation.”
Continuing, he explained, “Our goal is to build a unifying national vision embraced by all Syrians. This vision is the genuine key to establishing a stable state. It must be grounded in participation and in the engagement of all Syrians in determining their country’s future—away from sectarian and regional divisions.”
From her side, Afraa Al-Ali, a social researcher and trainer in human development based in Homs, emphasized that civil society organizations are not a substitute for the state, but a genuine partner in shaping change.
Al-Ali stated, “The mission of civil society organizations today, after the fall of the regime, is to strengthen civil peace. They do this through mechanisms different from those traditionally employed by the state.”
Al-Ali pointed out that their work is not limited to the city of Homs, but extends to its rural areas. She explained that they have a structured plan to activate dialogue channels throughout the countryside, particularly given Homs’s geographical interconnectedness with Hama and Tartous governorates.
She added, “We conducted field visits in Homs neighborhoods as well as in the northern and eastern its countryside. We organized dialogue meetings that brought together diverse segments of the Homs community to build trust, bridge divisions, and unify the national course between the state and the people.”
Al-Ali affirmed that their recent focus has been on the city of Talkalakh, which has witnessed security tensions and attempts to destabilize the area.
“We succeeded in neutralizing these attempts by reinforcing community dialogue and establishing effective channels of communication among the city’s residents,” she stated.
Overcoming Division: Challenges for National Unity
The broader challenge, however, lies in Syria’s current state of social fragmentation. This reality places a significant responsibility on civil society organizations. They must ensure that transitional justice does not become a tool for revenge or discrimination. Such outcomes could reproduce cycles of violence and further deepen divisions.
Given Homs’s sectarian and demographic diversity, this responsibility becomes even more complex. The prevailing security challenges add further difficulty to the task.
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For this reason, the essential role of civil society in Homs remains centered on consolidating social peace and safeguarding the stability of the governorate. Homs is increasingly viewed as a model for a pluralistic and just Syria.
With the growing presence of civil activists, it can be said that civil society organizations are emerging as one of the forces capable of driving real transformation. By overcoming divisions and fostering national dialogue, they are laying the foundations for reconciliation and a more inclusive future for all Syrians.
