Syrian National Bloc launched to advance democracy and social justice
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syrian figures announced on Wednesday the formation of the Syrian National Bloc, stating that its goal is to build a civil, democratic state based on citizenship and social justice.
During the founding conference, Haitham Manaa, a member of the Bloc’s communication committee, read the founding statement, emphasizing that the past years have witnessed the militarization of Syrian movements and external attempts to control the country’s resources, as well as occupation of Syrian territories by Israel and Turkey.
Manaa highlighted that the conflict in Gaza has shifted regional alliances and deepened divisions within Syrian society. He added that the founding meeting aims to prevent the re-emergence of dictatorship in new forms and to establish a fully equal civil state committed to sovereignty and true freedom.
The Bloc’s principles, Manaa explained, are based on peaceful civic engagement, national unity, and the protection of freedom of thought, opinion, and conscience. It advocates a clear political pluralism and participatory democratic system grounded in separation of powers, social justice, and popular sovereignty.
Tariq al-Ahmad, another member of the communication committee, presented the Bloc’s binding principles, reaffirming that Syria’s geographical and political unity is a “red line” and criminalizing calls for division or secession. He stressed that citizenship is the foundation of belonging, with all citizens enjoying equal rights, and that the army, security forces, and other institutions remain politically neutral.
The Bloc also called for the inclusion of key guarantees in a new constitution, such as media freedom, equality between men and women across government branches, prevention of sectarian or ethnic discrimination, and the right to form political parties and civil society organizations. It emphasizes the importance of independent constitutional bodies and the establishment of a national army to protect the country and liberate occupied lands.