Damascus postpones elections in 3 governorates outside its control
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian transitional government postponed on Saturday parliamentary elections in Suwayda, Hasakah, and Raqqa governorates, citing “security challenges.”
The official justification, however, underscores a deeper reality: Damascus remains unable to organize elections in these areas because they are effectively beyond its authority.
Suwayda, in southern Syria, is largely under the control of Druze local groups who have resisted central government influence.
Hasakah and Raqqa in the northeast are administered by the multi-component Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), backed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The postponement highlights the limits of the transitional government’s reach more than a decade into Syria’s conflict. While elections are intended to reinforce state legitimacy, the inability to conduct them in three strategically and demographically important governorates reflects the fragmented power map on the ground.
Observers note that the move may further deepen mistrust between Damascus and both Druze and Kurdish leaders, complicating ongoing negotiations over political integration and local governance.