{"id":120339,"date":"2024-12-29T16:48:06","date_gmt":"2024-12-29T16:48:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=120339"},"modified":"2024-12-29T16:48:07","modified_gmt":"2024-12-29T16:48:07","slug":"northeast-syria-faces-attempts-of-discord-amid-post-assad-political-shifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/120339\/","title":{"rendered":"Northeast Syria faces attempts of discord amid post-Assad political shifts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Samer Yassin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) \u2013<\/strong> Northeastern Syria grapples with growing tensions as rumors and incitement on social media threaten to destabilize the region’s harmony and challenge its diverse communities following significant political shifts in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Syrian landscape in general, and northeastern Syria in particular, witnesses unprecedented political and military developments following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad\u2019s regime by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and the initiation of the formation of a new government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given the country’s cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity, reactions have varied across different regions. The areas of Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) have taken center stage in this dynamic, with opinions ranging from rejection of the newly formed government in Damascus to calls for dialogue and recognizing it as the new legitimate government in Syria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notably, some individuals have attempted to spread discord and hatred among the region\u2019s inhabitants and communities via social media platforms, sharing hate speech and inaccurate information that has provoked negative reactions across these networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Undermining the region<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Asad al-Ali, a 40-year-old resident of Hasakah, believes the aim of these rumors and statements circulating on social media is to destabilize the region by undermining its security and stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Ali tells North Press that the purpose of these rumors is to destroy the cohesion among the communities of northeastern Syria, leading to fragmentation and instability in the region, allowing opportunists to exploit this phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He adds that weakening the bonds among the residents will make the region more vulnerable, making it easier for Turkey and its affiliated factions to assert control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Ali stressed that those targeting the region are primarily seeking to undermine its resilience and social fabric, which is the first step toward achieving their goals of destabilization and weakening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spreading discord<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hanan Muhammad, another resident of Hasakah, sees the rumors spread through certain social media pages and platforms as entirely disconnected from the reality of life in the region, particularly in Hasakah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to North Press, Muhammad says that recently, there has been a significant spread of claims about tensions between the region\u2019s communities, especially between Arabs and Kurds. However, in Hasakah, every individual considers their neighbor in the city a brother. The city is not dominated by a single community; Arabs, Kurds, Syriacs, and other groups have lived together in harmony for centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She adds that opportunists have taken advantage of recent events in the region to create this discord and propagate divisive rhetoric, causing fear of instability and division among the communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muhammad urges residents not to be swayed by such rumors, to stay aware of the motives behind these incitements, and called on the authorities to intervene and hold accountable those who attempt to sow discord and animosity among the region’s inhabitants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diversity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jihan Abdo, a resident of Hasakah, says that the reality she has experienced since childhood sharply contrasts with what is being spread by certain social media factions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abdo says that after al-Assad\u2019s fall, many rumors emerged on Facebook, aimed at inciting conflict among residents, particularly between the Kurdish and Arab communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She tells North Press that in Hasakah, what is being discussed is entirely disconnected from reality. Here, we are a diverse city, living together in harmony. Everyone respects one another\u2019s language, culture, and work. For example, my colleague at the office is from the Arab community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She notes that all groups in the city freely exercise their rights, live their lives normally, and complement one another in coexistence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abdo calls for an end to these rumors and the accountability of those who spread them, as such narratives have caused widespread discontent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She emphasizes the importance of living together with mutual respect for language, culture, and work, and rejecting racism and discord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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