Raqqa takes steps to restructure local communes 

The commune system adopted in the North and East Syria represents a unique experience in grassroots popular governance. It aims to establish the principle of direct democracy, ensuring comprehensive representation of local communities and enabling them to manage their daily affairs without relying on traditional centralized authorities.

On June 28, 2025, the Democratic People's Council in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria issued an important decision to reorganize the communes and their operations, as part of implementing the provisions of the Social Contract and Law No. 13 of 2024 on organizing the powers of councils.

Luay Al-Issa, the Co-Chair of the General Council (City) in Raqqa, told ANHA Agency that the council has already started implementing the commune reorganization approved during the last session of the People's Council.

He noted that, in the coming days, the communes in Raqqa will begin inviting residents and workers in the Democratic Autonomous Administration’s institutions to participate in central meetings scheduled for next Saturday.

Al-Issa explained that these meetings, which will include all neighborhoods, will result in the selection of one model commune in each neighborhood council to develop internal work methods and organize the twelve committees that make up each commune.

He added that the most prominent of these committees include the Services Committee, Health Committee, Environment Committee, Training Committee, and Women’s Committee, emphasizing that activating these committees will enhance the communes’ ability to directly respond to residents’ needs and provide essential services in an organized and effective manner.

Regarding the organizational scale of the communes in Raqqa, Al-Issa clarified that the total number of communes is 349, with 133 located within Raqqa city, distributed across four main councils: Martyr Ahmed Al-Janem Council, Martyr Heleen Judy Council, Martyr Mustafa Al-Nakzi Council, and Martyr Ahmed Al-Shaaban Council. The remaining 216 communes are spread across the rural areas of the governorate.

This step comes as part of the Autonomous Administration’s efforts to strengthen local organization, develop the model of direct community governance, and activate the grassroots role of communes, achieving broad participation from residents in managing their daily affairs and directly serving their communities.

a.k

ANHA