Syria's new political landscape - UPDATES

[Anthea]

KNCS, SDF Agree to Work Together

A delegation from the Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNCS) met with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi to discuss recent political developments, including Syria’s newly announced constitutional declaration, KNCS spokesperson Faisal Yusuf confirmed

The meeting, held on Thursday, provided both sides an opportunity to exchange views on the political situation in Syria. According to Yusuf, the discussions centered on an agreement between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Abdi, which aims to address the legal and political status of Syria’s Kurdish population.

As a key outcome of the talks, the KNCS and SDF agreed to form a unified delegation to engage in negotiations with Syrian authorities in Damascus. The delegation’s primary goal will be to ensure Kurdish rights are recognized in the country’s future political framework.

The recent constitutional declaration by the Syrian government has sparked controversy, particularly among ethnic and religious minorities who argue that it fails to acknowledge Syria’s pluralistic identity. While some political factions view the declaration as a step toward stability, the KNCS has criticized it for disregarding the rights of Kurds, Assyrians, and Syriacs. The council stated that the document does not reflect "the aspirations of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious Syria."

The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), which governs Kurdish-majority areas, has also expressed strong concerns. In an official statement, DAANES condemned the declaration for failing to explicitly recognize the political, cultural, and linguistic rights of Syria’s diverse communities. Kurdish officials fear the new framework could lead to a weakening of their autonomy.

As political tensions rise over the constitutional declaration, Kurdish groups are seeking a unified approach to negotiations with Damascus. The KNCS-SDF meeting represents a strategic effort to strengthen Kurdish representation in future talks, with the aim of securing a more inclusive and equitable political resolution that reflects Syria’s ethnic and religious diversity.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/878000

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The best words are not enough
By His Excellency Dr Jawad Mella

President Ahmed Al-Sharra, your behavior with the representative of the Kurdish people, General Mazlum Abdi, and your signing with him an agreement (although it was incomplete and does not reflect the hopes of the Kurdish people in their right to decide their own fate) was an act befitting a President of State and feels responsible towards the peoples, religions and sects of Syria

At the same time your behaviour was following the mass genocide carried out by your allies of the terrorist groups, the henchmen and the upper sect, and on the same day of the UN Security Council meeting to investigate the issue of their extermination, as if your behaviour was fear of Article VII of the UN Constitution calling for external intervention.

You carried out those massacres yourself by writing your name and personal signature on the monochrome constitutional declaration, so that you did not need to help the terrorist factions that killed children, women and elders of the Upper El-Awi, by this constitutional declaration, you killed children, women, and elders

All the peoples, religions and sects in Syria, because this monochrome constitutional declaration will lead to killing without a doubt, and it shows a definite indication that you did not understand the rapid events that came to your judgement in ten days, while the same one that came to you has the power to displace you in one raid, you did not come to judgement Luna would represent one as the lion herdsman who was the head of one family.

Mr President don't wait for another massacre to act as president, if you really want to be president you have to do your duty as president

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SDC calls for amendments

to Syria’s constitution

The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) on Monday called for “fundamental amendments” to Syria’s recently adopted constitutional declaration, stressing that it falls short of meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people in all its constituents

The SDC serves as the political wing of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

In an interview with Rudaw’s Nalin Hassan, the SDC’s deputy co-chairman Afram Ishak stated that “while the constitutional declaration is an important interim step, it does not meet the expectations and hopes pinned on it to be a truly democratic constitution for all Syrians.”

Syria's interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, signed a 53-article constitutional declaration on Thursday. The declaration centers on Islamic jurisprudence, mandates that the country’s president must be Muslim, and sets a five-year transitional period. It also maintains Syria’s official name as the Syrian "Arab" Republic.

The constitutional declaration, set for a five-year transitional period, additionally grants Sharaa exclusive executive power, the authority to appoint one-third of the legislature, and the ability to appoint judges to the constitutional court, which is the body that can hold him accountable.

Ishak stressed that the declaration needs fundamental amendments before it can be ratified as a permanent social contract

He also shared his take on the implementation of a recent agreement between Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi to integrate civil and military institutions in the Kurdish-majority northeast Syria (Rojava) into Syria’s state institutions. The agreement recognizes Kurds as an indigenous component of Syrian society.

"According to the agreement, two committees will be formed: a military committee to address military-related matters, and a political committee responsible for administrative and political affairs, including institutions, schools, and border crossings," Ishak explained. He called for these committees to include members from all Syrian constituents.

Regarding the talks between Kurdish parties in Rojava and the new leadership in Damascus, the SDC’s deputy co-chair clarified that while no direct negotiations have taken place yet, discussions and consultations are ongoing.

“There are pending matters that need resolution, and everyone is working toward solutions while preserving the region’s [Rojava’s] distinct identity,” he said, adding, “We hope to see future changes and amendments.”

Following a swift offensive in December, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, headed by Sharaa, toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad. In late January, Sharaa was appointed Syria’s interim president and has pledged commitment to an inclusive political process.

However, in recent weeks, several efforts have been criticized as exclusionary by minority groups in Syria. Along with the Kurds, the constitutional declaration has faced backlash from the Druze, Christian, and Yazidi communities.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... /170320255

[Anthea]

International Donors Pledge

$6.5 Billion for New Syria

International donors have pledged nearly $6.5 billion in aid for Syria, aiming to support the country’s new leadership following the ouster of President Bashar Assad in December

The aid, announced at a hastily organized conference in Brussels on Monday, is intended to assist in Syria’s political transition and reconstruction efforts.

Ministers and representatives from Western nations, regional neighbors, Arab states, and UN agencies attended the one-day summit, which was convened by the European Union as Syria undergoes significant political change.

According to the European Commission, $4.6 billion of the pledged aid will be provided as grants, while $1.7 billion will come in low-interest loans. However, as some pledges span multiple years, it remains unclear how much funding will be available for 2025.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is increasing its financial commitment to Syrians in the country and surrounding region to almost $2.7 billion for 2025 and 2026.

“At this critical time, the people of Syria need us more than ever,” she said, urging other donors to step up.

Germany pledged approximately $326 million, with more than half allocated for aid inside Syria and the rest supporting displaced Syrians elsewhere. Britain also committed up to $208 million.

Natasha Franceschi, US deputy assistant secretary for the Levant and Syria, emphasized that the US has provided more assistance to Syrians over the past 14 years than any other country but did not announce a new financial pledge.

“We will continue to provide certain assistance in line with US policies and laws, but we now expect other nations to help shoulder the financial burden,” she said. The Trump administration is currently reviewing all foreign aid programs.

Syria’s new leadership faces the challenge of consolidating control over a country that was fractured into multiple zones of influence during nearly 14 years of civil war.

Efforts to rebuild infrastructure and stabilize the economy remain daunting, with the United Nations estimating reconstruction costs at a minimum of $250 billion—though some experts suggest the figure could exceed $400 billion.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/878338

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Kurdish diaspora worried about
extremist roots of Syria’s leaders

Kurdish politicians and political activists in Germany on Friday said they are concerned about Syria’s interim constitution and the new leaders’ extremists roots, and are skeptical that the new authorities in Damascus are setting the country on the right trajectory

“The constitution is a mockery for us Kurds, Alawites, and other minorities,” said Akif Hassan, a Kurdish politician from Western Kurdistan. Speaking at a panel hosted by Rudaw in Cologne, Hassan joined other Kurdish political figures to discuss the community’s future in post-war Syria.

Signed in mid-March by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the constitution is based on Islamic jurisprudence, requires the president to be Muslim, and places extraordinary power in the hands of the president for a five-year transition period. It also retains the country’s name as the Syrian Arab Republic, further alienating non-Arab communities.

Concerns over extremist roots of Syria’s new rulers

Several speakers linked the new Syrian leadership to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS), and accused them of long-standing hostility toward Kurds.

Mehmet Tanriverdi, co-leader of the Kurdish Community in Germany, described the new rulers as “al-Qaeda militants” and accused them of fighting Kurds with Turkey’s backing.

Seyran Papo, a Kurdish Christian Democratic Union (CDU) lawmaker in Schleswig-Holstein, said her party considers the new authorities in Damascus to be made up of “extremists who were previously ISIS.”

Hassan echoed these concerns, saying, "We dreamed of a day like this - freeing Syria from Assad. But replacing one form of oppression with another will not lead to a better future."

Syrian President Sharaa and his group have Islamist roots, as an extension of the Islamic State of Iraq and an affiliate of al-Qaeda. As interim leader of Syria, he has promised to protect minorities, but many people inside and outside the country are worried.

Call for Kurdish unity, European support

The panelists said Kurds must be united in the face of threats. Western Kurdistan’s relationship with Damascus is uncertain and Turkish-backed armed groups continue their assault on Tishreen Dam.

Kasim Tahir Salih, a Green Party member of the German parliament, warned that without a unified Kurdish stance, securing international support would be difficult. "It is crucial for us Kurds to speak with one voice," he said.

Germany’s role in Syria was also highlighted. Salih pointed to two recent visits by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and urged Kurdish politicians to ensure Western Kurdistan remains on Berlin’s agenda.

Jian Omar, a Kurdish member of the Berlin state parliament from the Green Party, urged Kurds not to passively wait for their rights to be granted. “We must claim our rights from Damascus while maintaining pressure on Europe,” he said.

Omar praised Baerbock’s March visit to Damascus, calling his remarks “unprecedented” after she directly called on Syrian authorities to include Kurds in governance and protect their rights in the constitution.

Omar also referenced the recent opening of the German embassy in Damascus, saying one of its objectives is to increase Germany’s influence in Syria and apply pressure on the government regarding Kurdish issues.

During Syria’s civil conflict, Kurds in the northeast carved out an area of control where they sought to redress some of the historic wrongs committed by the former regime against the Kurdish population, including the right to citizenship and education in their mother tongue.

Kurdish demands from Damascus

Hassan outlined the Kurdish community’s core demands, emphasizing that identity and cultural rights must be guaranteed.

“Our identity and cultural rights must be enshrined in the constitution. The security of our region must be explicitly recognized. Our security forces and police must be Kurdish,” he stated.

The panelists agreed that the people of Western Kurdistan must be integrated into Syria’s political structure, with their national and cultural rights protected.

Mazloum Abdi, the general commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Western Kurdistan’s de facto army, has signed an agreement with Damascus to integrate the armed forces and Western Kurdistan’s institutions into the new government. How that deal will be integrated remains to be seen.

The panel discussion took place ahead of Newroz celebrations in Cologne. Speaking on the significance of the festival and one of the largest gatherings of the Kurdish diaspora in Europe, Hassan said, This widespread participation reflects the deep frustration of the Kurdish people.

We are not a passive nation that blindly accepts whatever is imposed upon us

https://www.rudaw.net/english/world/220320251

We are not a passive nation that blindly accepts whatever is imposed upon us - suggest Kurds take a good long look at what is being done to them by Turkish Occupation Forces in Northern Kurdistan

[Anthea]

Over 2,000 Iraqi Terrorists

in Syria: Shia Leader

More than 2,000 Iraqi terrorists are in Syria, affiliated with various extremist groups, a leader of Iraq’s Fatah coalition, Oday Abdulhadi, said on Monday

Abdulhadi told local media that following the liberation of key Iraqi cities, including Nineveh and other western regions, many ISIS leaders and fighters fled to Syria.

He added that thousands of foreign ISIS militants are now housed in al-Hol camp, a facility in northeastern Syria controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

“ISIS activities have increased in several parts of Syria, especially in the Homs desert, Deir ez-Zor, and other areas. Therefore, the Iraqi government’s efforts to enhance border security with Syria is a wise decision, and we fully support it,” he said.

Abdulhadi also accused international intelligence agencies of exploiting terrorism for geopolitical goals, saying they take advantage of security instability to create unrest.

Al-Hol camp, located in Syria’s Hasakah province, houses over 50,000 people, including ISIS-affiliated women and children, as well as suspected militants.

Many of the detainees are foreign nationals, including Iraqis, whom Baghdad has been working to repatriate.

The camp has become a breeding ground for extremism, with frequent attacks carried out by ISIS sleeper cells against camp guards and residents

The Kurdish led SDF, with support from the US-led coalition, has conducted repeated security operations to dismantle ISIS networks inside the camp.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/878924

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US Presents Conditions for

Partial Sanctions Relief

The United States has handed Syria a list of conditions it must fulfill in exchange for partial sanctions relief, including the removal of foreigners from senior governing roles, six sources familiar with the matter told Reuters

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Levant and Syria Natasha Franceschi delivered the demands to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani during an in-person meeting on the sidelines of a Syria donor conference in Brussels on March 18, two sources—a US official and a Syrian source—said. The meeting marked the highest-level direct contact between Washington and Damascus since US President Donald Trump took office in 2017.

Among Washington’s demands are the destruction of any remaining Syrian chemical weapons stockpiles, cooperation on counter-terrorism, and assurances that foreign fighters are not appointed to senior government positions, the sources said.

Syria has already installed several foreign former rebels, including Uyghurs, a Jordanian, and a Turk, in its Defense Ministry—moves that have raised international concerns

The US also requested Syria appoint a liaison to assist in locating American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria over a decade ago, according to US officials and sources in Washington.

In exchange, Washington has offered some form of sanctions relief, though details on the scope and timeline of the relief were not provided, the sources said.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/879082

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Syria’s New Government to Include

Kurds, Christians, and Druze

A senior Syrian government source confirmed on Friday that the country’s new transitional government will feature representation from Kurdish, Christian, and Druze communities, signaling a shift toward inclusion amid sweeping cabinet changes

The upcoming cabinet, expected to be officially announced soon, will comprise 22 ministers, with nearly all current ministers being replaced. “The changes will affect all 22 ministers, with only one or two retaining their positions,” the source said in remarks to Iraqi media.

As part of the restructuring, a ministry for women's affairs will be created, and some ministries will be merged. Additionally, a Supreme Fatwa Council will be established independently of any ministry, formalized through an official decree.

The new appointments are being framed as a response to demands for more representative governance following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024, after opposition forces entered Damascus.

Despite the announcement of Kurdish participation, the Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNCS) has rejected involvement in the cabinet formation, citing the lack of political consultation.

KNCS spokesperson Faisal Yusuf confirmed the council had received an invitation to the cabinet announcement ceremony but declined to attend, saying the Kurdish political movement had not been consulted.

“We will not participate in the ceremony because the new administration has not engaged with us in discussions regarding the formation of this government,” Yusuf said. “Our concern is not about appearances—it’s about securing the Kurdish people’s legitimate demands.”

Yusuf dismissed claims of Kurdish inclusion as symbolic and reminiscent of the Assad era. “Proper representation means political agency, not token appointments,” he added.

Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa previously met with a delegation from Suwayda and affirmed that the transitional government would not be based on sectarian quotas. Instead, he stressed the importance of building governance rooted in legal institutions that represent all Syrians equally. “The goal is a stable, inclusive system based on national unity, not ethnic or sectarian divides,” Sharaa said.

Commenting on broader Kurdish coordination, Yusuf reaffirmed the KNCS’s commitment to unity among Kurdish factions. He noted that talks with the Democratic Union Party (PYD) are ongoing and that progress has been made under the mediation of Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani. “Once the other side finalizes its internal agreements, we will move forward,” he said, adding that Kurdish political unity is critical for ensuring collective rights in the new Syrian state.

As Syria moves toward transition, the gulf between symbolic representation and substantive political inclusion remains a major point of contention—especially for Kurdish forces long excluded from power under the previous regime.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/879320

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Kurdish Forces to Withdraw from Aleppo

Kurdish-led forces and the transitional Syrian government reached a new agreement on Tuesday concerning the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud in Aleppo, aimed at protecting civilians and easing regional tensions

The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will withdraw from both neighborhoods as part of the deal. The agreement also guarantees the preservation and security of civilian institutions operating in these districts.

Another key provision includes facilitating safe movement between the Kurdish-populated neighborhoods of Aleppo and the autonomous Kurdish regions in Western Kurdistan. According to Syrian officials, the deal is intended to promote local stability and foster cooperation between Kurdish forces and the central government amid ongoing national reconciliation efforts.

This announcement follows a broader agreement reached nearly a month ago between SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi and Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which seeks to gradually integrate Kurdish forces into a newly restructured Syrian national army.

Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud have long been strategically significant districts in Aleppo, serving as centers of Kurdish presence and resistance since the early years of the Syrian conflict. Kurdish forces have maintained control over these neighborhoods despite the city's broader return to government authority.

Observers note that this latest accord signals a shift in Syrian-Kurdish relations, reflecting mutual interests in de-escalation and institutional reintegration. The agreement also comes amid heightened regional diplomacy aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis, with both Russia and Iran reportedly backing integration models that accommodate Kurdish autonomy under Damascus's sovereignty.

No timeline has been officially announced for the withdrawal of Kurdish units, but local reports suggest that implementation is expected to begin in the coming days.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/879587

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Syria’s Battleground as Alawites Face Attacks

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Syria’s coastal provinces, once considered strongholds of stability, have become the epicenter of escalating sectarian violence, with Alawite civilians increasingly targeted in brutal attacks. The latest assault, which left six dead, including a 12-year-old child, has ignited fears of further bloodshed amid the country’s ongoing fragmentation

The killings gained widespread attention after activists shared an image—also reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR)—of the slain child, who was killed on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. The image, showing a makeshift nylon rope used to hold up his oversized pants, became a symbol of the extreme poverty afflicting Syria’s coastal communities.

While some social media users questioned the image’s authenticity, independent verification by Kurdistan 24’s fact-checking team confirmed that it was recent and had not been previously published.

Public Security Vows Accountability

In response to the attack in the village of Harf Bin Namra in rural Baniyas, northwest Syria, the Public Security Directorate vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable. Authorities classified the killings as a crime "disturbing civil peace" and announced the arrest of two suspects.

A senior Tartous security official, speaking in a video released on the governorate’s Facebook account, stressed that "the criminals do not represent the Syrian state." Yet, these assurances have done little to quell residents’ fears, as many worry sectarian tensions could escalate.

Amid the turmoil, Rami Abdulrahman, Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), spoke to Kurdistan 24, welcoming a deal between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Damascus to ensure security and administrative stability in Aleppo’s Kurdish-majority districts, Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh.

"This is a very positive step for the Kurdish neighborhoods," Abdulrahman said. "The hope is that these understandings will be long-term rather than temporary measures to ease tensions."

However, he warned against using the agreement to divert attention from ongoing atrocities in Syria’s coastal regions, stressing that all peace efforts must serve the Syrian people’s broader interests—not act as political cover for continued violence.

Mass Displacement Amid Fear of Renewed Attacks

The attack on Harf Bin Namra was not an isolated incident. According to sources contacted by Kurdistan 24, entire families from the surrounding villages of Balghuns, Batla, and Deir al-Shibl fled to nearby forests and mountains, fearing further violence. The mass displacement follows a series of deadly events along the Syrian coast, where, between March 6-10, at least 1,169 civilians were killed, as reported by the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression.

According to a report issued by the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, 732 were killed in Latakia, 276 in Tartous, and 161 in Hama. Among them were 103 women and 52 children, along with 218 members of the public security forces. The surge in violence coincided with military operations launched by the newly established Syrian government in response to a reported "mutiny" by remnants of the ousted Assad regime.

HTS Gains Control as U.S. Warns of Jihadist Groups

The Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community published on March 2025, paints a grim picture of Syria’s future. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the opposition—led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda—has struggled to consolidate power, creating a security vacuum that risks fueling a resurgence of ISIS and other extremist factions.

While HTS claims to be fostering an inclusive governance model, intelligence reports indicate that its forces, alongside Hurras al-Din and other jihadist groups, have engaged in sectarian killings, particularly against Alawite and Christian civilians. In March alone, more than 1,000 people were killed in extrajudicial executions across northwestern Syria.

Despite public claims of moderation, HTS’s leadership remains under scrutiny, with Israeli officials warning that the group’s long-standing hostility toward Israel has not changed. Furthermore, divisions within the broader jihadist movement threaten to plunge Syria into deeper chaos, as groups like ISIS openly oppose HTS’s governance and are reportedly planning attacks to destabilize its authority.

Concerns Over the Future of Syria’s Minorities

As violence spreads along Syria’s coastline, human rights organizations stress that these killings are not random but part of a broader pattern of sectarian targeting. The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression warns that the recent massacres underscore the fragility of Syria’s new political order, stating:

"These tragic events are not isolated incidents but clear evidence of Syria’s ongoing instability, shaped by decades of repression and systematic violations."

The organization called for a comprehensive justice framework to break the cycle of violence, emphasizing the need for legal accountability, conflict resolution, and genuine reconciliation to prevent future atrocities.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... ce-attacks

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Syria tried to shut 60 bars

What happened when Syria's conservative new leaders tried to shut 60 Damascus bars

Kifah Zainie, 34, co-owns and manages Sugar Man, a popular nightspot in Damascus, on March 27. Zainie says he's uncertain about the future of the alcohol industry, under Syria's new conservative Muslim rulers.

Naveen Mahmoud was out running errands when an alarmed neighbor called: The conservative Muslim rebels who ousted Syria's dictator late last year had arrived to shut down the trendy cocktail bar Mahmoud runs in the Old City of Damascus

Two government agents placed an iron rod across the front door of Mahmoud's bar, called Cosette, and sealed it shut Thursday with red wax — a method that goes back to antiquity.

"We were very concerned when they first took power [in December], but they came and said, 'Everything will be the same [as under deposed President Bashar al-Assad], no worries,' " says Mahmoud, 42, who worked in Cyprus and Turkey before returning to her native Syria to open Cosette five years ago. "But all of a sudden, they did this! They didn't give us any reason, or any warning."

Hers was one of 60 Damascus bars that were either forcibly shut this past week, or received government notices that they soon would be, for serving alcohol without a license, Mahmoud and three other people who work in Syria's alcohol industry told NPR.

But after a social media outcry, and appeals to the Damascus mayor, all 60 closures were lifted — after less than a day

It's an example of how Syria's new leaders — who once had ties to al-Qaida — are still finding their way, wrestling with how to mesh their conservative Islamic values with the secular lifestyle of many of their fellow citizens and urbanites in particular.

Partying with former Islamist fighters

The night after Assad fled, Kifah Zainie threw a party at the popular Damascus watering hole he co-owns and runs, called Sugar Man. Cocktails were flowing. It felt like a carnival, he recalls.

But Zainie, 34, who wears a stonewashed denim jacket with a flipped collar, had a niggling worry: Syria's new leaders had banned alcohol in Idlib, northwest Syria, where they first governed in 2017. And Zainie makes a living from serving alcohol.

Ten days later, around mid-December, two bearded guys with guns knocked on his door. They asked if he had an alcohol license. Zainie does not.

To get one, a 1952 law stipulates you have to be located more than 100 meters (yards) from a school or religious site — which rules out most locations in central Damascus. Authorities haven't issued new licenses for his area since 1960 anyway, Zainie says

Under the Assad regime, while alcohol consumption was legal, most bars were unlicensed. Owners would pay a fine for that — about $2, every few months, Zainie recalls — and authorities left them alone.

Under the new regime, he worries it might not be as easy. On a lark, he invited the bearded guys into his bar that night — provided they put down their guns. (Zainie wasn't sure if they were official government agents, or militiamen close to the regime.)

"They said OK yes, and came in, and — I have video — they danced!" Zainie recalls, laughing. "It was very strange, just like performance art, like bin Laden danced with us!"

He showed NPR video on his phone of two bearded men in camouflage, dancing and smiling, surrounded by secular hipsters.

"At that time, we felt like we could connect with these people, if we just shake hands," Zainie says. "They are Syrian!"
Strange bedfellows in the new Syria

With international sanctions still in place, many multinational companies can't do business in Syria. So it's difficult for Syrian vendors to import foreign brands.

A secular, tattooed alcohol wholesaler named Abboudi says one way he gets around sanctions is by buying liquor in bulk from Islamist fighters in the mountains between Lebanon and Syria. They have a warehouse, he says, full of confiscated stuff

"We pay $2,000 for one hour's opening, [during which time] we take whatever we can! One hundred boxes, 200 boxes, 500 — you have one hour!" he explains.

Abboudi didn't want NPR to publish his surname, because what he's describing is illegal.

He calls his suppliers Daesh — the Arabic name for ISIS — but acknowledges he doesn't know their exact affiliation. He doesn't visit them alone, and makes sure he's carrying a gun.

Pushback from drinkers

Mahmoud says she tried to meet Syria's conservative leaders halfway: She voluntarily closed Cosette during fasting hours in the holy month of Ramadan, and put curtains on the windows so that people can't see in from outside.

When they shut her down, she says it felt like betrayal — of her business, and also of the coexistence that's made Damascus famous for raucous nightlife, even in wartime.

"People here, they respect each other. They respect each other's religions, traditions," she says.

She points around the room at her staff: Two are Christian, a few are Muslim. She's from the Syrian capital's Circassian minority, an ethnic group with roots in the Caucasus.

NPR asked Syria's Interior Ministry and the Damascus governor's office about the bar closures, and why they were quickly reversed. The Interior Ministry said it was unaware of steps taken by local police. The governor's office confirmed the reversal but would not provide further details.

Mahmoud believes this is a lesson for them.

"What worked in Idlib won't work in Damascus," she says.

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/31/nx-s1-53 ... wtab-en-gb

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144 Civilians Executed in

Sectarian Killings

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - In a grim reminder of Syria’s enduring instability and sectarian strife, the country has witnessed a deadly wave of executions and targeted assassinations over the past month, claiming the lives of 144 civilians, including women and children, according to a report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR)

The killings, concentrated in multiple provinces across the war-ravaged nation, reflect a resurgence of sectarian-motivated violence that continues to fracture Syria's social fabric nearly 14 years into the conflict. The Syrian coast, particularly the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, recorded the highest number of executions, prompting alarm over the deteriorating civil peace in these strategically vital and demographically sensitive areas.

A Bloody March

SOHR’s detailed report reveals a troubling geographical spread of the killings:

Homs: 31 men, one woman, and a young girl
Tartus: 29 men
Rif Dimashq: 23 men
Hama: 19 men
Daraa: 12 men
Latakia: Nine men, one woman, and two children
Aleppo: Nine men
Damascus: Four men
Deir Ezzor: Three men

These incidents were largely driven by sectarian affiliation, marking a dangerous return to patterns of violence that characterized the darkest phases of Syria’s civil war.

Notably, SOHR emphasized that these figures exclude victims of large-scale massacres and genocidal operations reported in the coastal and mountainous regions — particularly in Latakia, Tartus, Homs, and Hama — throughout March. This omission suggests the real death toll may be significantly higher and the extent of the violence even more harrowing.

A Pattern of Targeted Violence

While Syria has seen periods of relative calm in some areas following international de-escalation agreements and territorial reconfigurations, sectarian tensions remain deeply rooted, especially in provinces where minority communities live in fear of targeted reprisals.

The Alawite-dominated coastal regions, once considered strongholds of regime control and relative safety, have recently become flashpoints for revenge killings and reprisals, raising fears of renewed cycles of bloodshed.

Despite occasional public appeals from religious leaders, civil society figures, and international monitors for the protection of minorities and the reinforcement of civil peace, no significant measures have been implemented on the ground. Security apparatuses remain stretched thin or are selectively enforcing order, leaving civilians — particularly those from vulnerable sectarian backgrounds — increasingly exposed.

The Cost of Silence

The international community’s lack of consistent engagement with Syria’s internal affairs in recent years has further emboldened militias, warlords, and extremist cells to act with impunity. In regions where the state has relinquished control or where governance is fragmented among competing forces, lawlessness prevails, and sectarian identity often becomes a death sentence.

As the humanitarian situation deteriorates and political deadlock stalls national reconciliation efforts, observers warn that sectarian assassinations could spiral into broader communal violence, echoing the darkest chapters of the conflict.

Multiple civil society organizations including SOHR continue to monitor and report these violations, urging all parties and international actors to prevent further bloodshed and hold perpetrators accountable.

Until then, Syria’s civilians — already battered by war, displacement, and economic collapse — remain caught in a cycle of fear, victims of a conflict that refuses to fade.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... s-in-march

[Anthea]

Nechirvan Barzani supports
al-Sharaa’s Vision for Syria

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has reaffirmed Erbil’s full support for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s inclusive vision for a future Syria, describing the newly elected leader’s approach as “encouraging” and “worthy of backing.”

The two leaders met Friday on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where Barzani noted his appreciation for al-Sharaa’s commitment to a national framework that embraces all components of Syrian society.

“We discussed the situation in Syria where he shared his vision for a future Syria that embraces all its people. I commended his inclusive approach and assured him of our continued support,” Barzani wrote on X.

Reaffirming Unity and Stability

President Barzani praised al-Sharaa’s efforts to move Syria beyond decades of war and fragmentation, highlighting the need for a political process that ensures dignity, rights, and national cohesion.

Barzani’s remarks reflect the Kurdistan Region’s longstanding position in favor of a peaceful resolution to the Syrian conflict—one that respects the rights of all ethnic and religious groups, including Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, and others.

“I was encouraged by President al-Sharaa’s dedication to regional peace and security,” Barzani added.

Common Front Against Extremism

In addition to political dialogue, the two leaders reiterated their shared commitment to continuing the fight against ISIS, whose remnants continue to pose a threat across Syria and Iraq.

Barzani emphasized the importance of coordination between all responsible actors in the region, particularly in the face of evolving security challenges.

“We also reaffirmed our shared commitment to the ongoing fight against ISIS,” he noted.

Kurdish Dialogue in Motion

The Barzani–Shara meeting comes at a pivotal moment, as intra-Kurdish talks in northeastern Syria gain traction. Earlier this month, delegations from the Kurdish National Council (KNCS) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD), supported by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi and U.S. Special Envoy Scott Bowles, held high-level discussions in Hasakah aimed at fostering Kurdish unity.

According to both parties, progress is underway to finalize a unified Kurdish delegation that would engage with the Syrian government to negotiate political and civil rights within the framework of a future Syrian state.

The SDF leadership has emphasized the importance of these talks in laying the groundwork for a new Syria that guarantees rights and representation for all communities — including Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, and others.

As international diplomacy continues to unfold, the Kurdistan Region remains a key player in advocating for regional stability, coexistence, and a future in which Syria belongs to all its people.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... its-people

[Anthea]

Kurdish Issue in Syria being
Resolved Through Federalism

A member of the Kurdish National Council in Syria (ENKS) has revealed that, according to an understanding reached with the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the solution to the Kurdish issue in Syria will be through federalism

Speaking to BasNews on Saturday, Imad Birho, a representative of ENKS, said a draft agreement outlining this vision has been prepared and is expected to be approved soon during a broad political gathering in Western Kurdistan.

“This existing understanding, which is a prepared draft agreement, is scheduled to be approved in the presence of a broad gathering,” Birho stated. “This gathering will consist of all political parties of Western Kurdistan, civil society organizations, the Geneva structure, and parties outside the PYD and ENKS.”

Although no specific date has been set for the meeting, Birho confirmed that the ratification of the agreement is imminent.

He noted that the draft reflects a shared belief among Kurdish political actors that a federal system is the only viable solution to the Syrian crisis and the Kurdish issue in particular.

The parties involved aim to include federalism in Syria’s future constitution, recognizing the Kurdish language as the second official language of the country and the primary language in Kurdish regions.

“We are now pleased that all sides are reaching the conviction that federalism will solve the Kurdish issue in Syria,” Birho concluded, reaffirming ENKS’s long-held position that federalism is key to securing the rights of the Kurdish people.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/880473