By Ahmad Othman
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Even though nearly 13 years have passed since the start of the Syrian crisis, no solution looms. Instead, the division has been aggravated among political groups and deepened the chasm within each group.
After many years, Syria is divided into three areas of control. The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) holds power in northeastern Syria. The Syrian opposition controls the northwest, certain areas along the northern border strip, and a significant portion of territory in the south where the US base of al-Tanf is situated. Meanwhile, the Syrian government maintains its authority over the remaining regions of the country.
There is no political solution looming to end the Syrian crisis and unify the political parties due to mutual rejection. Some reports attribute the disagreement to the role that international and regional powers play in fueling the conflict.
Nevertheless, the AANES is making efforts to engage with the Syrian government to reach a political settlement. However, the government rejects any attempts of rapprochement. Simultaneously, the relationship between the AANES and the Turkish-backed Syrian opposition remains non-existent.
The absence of communication can be attributed to Turkey’s influence over these groups. Turkey claims the AANES is affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and this, consequently, has led to a state of political stagnation.
This raises the question of whether the civil society can contribute to bridging the division. Ali al-Alis, a member of the Civil Society Organizations in North East Syria (CSO-NES), believes that civil society “must play a major role in solving these problems.”
He suggests that civil society can play a significant role in mediation processes to achieve specific convergences and understandings through various effective methods, such as communication and dialogue between different parties.
According to al-Alis, in addition to playing a role in promoting good and local governance, civil society can enhance community participation in decision-making and provide a unified vision for Syria.
He also believes that networking and collaboration with other parties are possible, citing the recent example of organizations working together to alleviate the humanitarian crisis after the devastating Feb. 6 earthquake that hit northwestern Syria.
Al-Alis told North Press that communication, knowledge sharing, and exchange of expertise can drive change towards a new society and vision for Syria.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration among NGOs and civil society organizations to address shared challenges, achieve development, and foster sustainable growth.
Al-Alis stated that the state of division is primarily confined to political parties, whereas there is no conflict between the community and organizations.
This schism is caused by Turkey’s obstinacy and its influence over the Turkish-backed Syrian opposition factions in northwest Syria, which has impacted the AANES, according to al-Alis.
He pointed out that this conflict was noticeable and tangible after the earthquake.
He believes, however, that there is always an opportunity to build bridges between civil societies in northeastern and northwestern Syria, and that civil organizations can play a role in breaking the ice, promoting communication, mediation, and constructive engagement among the involved parties.
“We can engage in a dialogue to discuss shared economic and humanitarian interests and remove the tension,” he noted.
“We must have a genuine goal and will work together to achieve the interests of the people. Since we have common interests, we should focus on this aspect to resolve the estrangement,” he said.
Ahmad Qatie, a human rights activist, agrees with al-Alis that resolving this estrangement relies on the society’s awareness that the nation should come first and that Syria should remain undivided. He emphasizes that Syrian citizens should be the top priority.
He believes that if society organizations become aware of the importance of the country’s interests, they will have the means to bring about change and overcome the political deadlock between northeastern and northwestern Syria.
Unfortunately, he said, the present circumstances are not conducive to change. This is because civil society organizations are closely intertwined with local authorities.
Qatie asserted that these organizations have transformed into tools under the control of local authorities, and thus losing their ability to represent civil society. As a result, he suggested the necessity of restructuring them.