By Murhaf al-Sha’er
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – After over a year of ongoing protests in Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria, the city is hosting meetings among political groups and local parties to address public demands and foster unity against the Syrian government.
Decentralized system
A conference titled Meeting of Political Forces for a Democratic, Secular Syria with a Decentralized Political Structure brought together political factions and independent activists.
Discussions centered on fostering dialogue among diverse Syrian components and advancing the concept of decentralization within a democratic, secular framework.
The event saw participation from movements such as the Federal Syria Movement, the Freedom and Peace Movement, the Intellectual Renaissance Movement, the National Liberation Movement, the Free Independents, the Mountain Rayan Organization, and the Fursan al-Jabal Gathering.
Participants debated the merits of administrative versus political decentralization, drawing comparisons to the Autonomous Administration model in Northeast Syria. Despite differing perspectives, the attendees emphasized a shared commitment to a secular and democratic Syrian state.
A message of unity to the world
Tareq al-Shoufi, head of the Federal Syria Movement, told North Press that the conference aimed to send a message to democratic nations and allies of secularism and decentralization.
“In Suwayda, we strive to build a unified framework for all groups advocating for decentralization and democratic, secular ideals,” al-Shoufi stated.
He emphasized that while differences exist regarding the form of decentralization, the participants focused on common ground to chart a unified path forward.
New step
Rima Tarabeh, a member of the Freedom and Peace Movement, expressed strong support for the conference, emphasizing the importance of democracy, political decentralization, and secularism.
“This is not about division; we stand for a free and unified Syria,” she explained. “However, the current reality compels us to take new steps to reunite all factions.”
She highlighted the efforts to emulate the successes of North and East Syria, aiming to restore the dignity and freedom long absent in the region.
Organizers announced the conference as a foundational step toward forming a political alliance among the participating forces and activists, with opportunities for new partners to join.
Key outcomes included the election of a political committee and the creation of specialized follow-up committees. The attendees reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of democracy, secularism, and political decentralization.