Sheikhan Tribal Notable: Hate speech threatens Syrian social fabric

The danger of this rhetoric lies in its role as a tool to inflame internal conflicts and tear apart societal unity — a reality that has already manifested in regions such as the coast and Sweida, where tensions have threatened stability and opened the door to further strife and conflict.

The Notable Fahd al-Sheikhani, representative of the Sheikhan tribe and general coordinator of the Ahl al-Bayt Association, stated:

"Syria today is afflicted with a malignant disease in the form of hate speech, especially targeting areas in the North and East."

Al-Sheikhani explained that the repercussions of such rhetoric in the coastal and Sweida regions have been grave, as its promoters seek to fragment society and sow divisions among communities, ultimately pushing the country toward conflict. He stressed that this scheme is often advanced through online and social media platforms.

Unity of components and SDF as a pillar of Syria’s future

"We are confident," al-Sheikhani said, "that the strife being woven against our regions will fail. Since the start of the Syrian crisis, we have been aware of these schemes, and that awareness has only deepened with the establishment of the Autonomous Administration. Today, the peoples of North and East Syria stand united against all such plots. Those who seek to ignite discord will not succeed."

He further underlined that both the Autonomous Administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) represent “a genuine guarantee for Syria’s future” through their inclusive vision and capacity to provide a viable model for governance across the country.

Decentralization as a path to Syria’s future

Laying out his vision for Syria’s tomorrow, al-Sheikhani emphasized the need for “a civic state that embraces all sects under a decentralized system, with a constitution authored by all Syrians, and an army composed of every community in order to protect both the people and the nation’s borders.”

He also called on the interim government to take concrete steps to reassure Syrians, beginning with the implementation of the March 10 Agreement signed between the government and the SDF.

Tribal symbols exploited by mercenaries

On the recent misuse of tribal identities, al-Sheikhani pointed out that some individuals falsely claim to represent their clans while in fact serving as mercenaries.

"True tribal sheikhs are well known. Our tribes have deep-rooted values and principles. What happened in Sweida does not represent us. These figures are opportunists who disguise themselves in the name of the tribes to mislead society," he said.

Call for awareness and responsibility

Concluding his remarks, Sheikh al-Sheikhani urged Syria’s tribes and sheikhs to shoulder their responsibilities in raising awareness within their communities, to expose the reality of current events, and to confront the sedition being plotted against Syria in general and the North and East in particular. He expressed hope for peace and security across the country and for the unity of all Syrians.

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ANHA