Syrian politician: Country collapse; DAA is the last hope

Naisseh observes that the situation in Syria and among its people has significantly deteriorated following the collapse of the former regime. Despite a brief wave of jubilation sweeping the Syrian street after the fall of Assad’s rule, public hopes quickly faded regarding the authority that assumed power  Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). He characterizes this group as an extension of "Jihadist Salafism and one of the counter-revolutionary forces."

He pointed out that HTS’s seizure of power in Damascus was part of regional and international arrangements under specific conditions. However, it soon monopolized authority and appointed a transitional president for Syria for five years without consultation with other Syrian factions an unprecedented transitional period "longer than any other globally."

A New Authoritarian Regime

Naisseh emphasizes that the worst development was the issuance of an undemocratic constitutional declaration that concentrated power in the hands of Ahmad al-Shara’, granting him powers exceeding those held by "former dictator Bashar al-Assad."

He added, “This regime has not only been despotic but has committed horrific massacres against religious communities, starting with the Alawites on the coast, passing through the Ashrafieh neighborhood of Sahnaya, the bombing of St. Elias Church, and culminating in atrocious massacres against the Druze in Sweida.”

Sectarian and Chauvinistic Incitement Against the Kurds

Naisseh highlighted a critical paradox: despite the interim government’s agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), it has not ceased inciting against the autonomous administration and the Kurdish population through a “harsh sectarian and chauvinistic rhetoric,” warning that such policies risk igniting new civil conflicts.

Economic Failure and a Shift Toward "Taliban Afghanistan"

He ridiculed the interim government’s promises to transform Syria into the "Singapore of the Middle East," stating that the country is instead headed toward a "Taliban Afghanistan" model amid worsening socio-economic crises and the absence of any notable economic or administrative achievements.

Naisseh stressed that the continuation of this “sectarian government” poses a genuine threat to Syria’s survival as a sovereign state and drives the country toward a destructive civil war, making its departure a national imperative.

Contours of a Democratic Alternative Led by Civil Forces

On the geopolitical front, Naisseh notes that several states which supported HTS have begun to recognize their failure to establish stable governance, due to the militia-based and sectarian nature of the group. He described HTS as no longer suitable to lead a stable transitional phase.

Domestically, the repression, massacres, and incitement have stripped the interim government of any meaningful social base, including among Sunni communities who reject the imposition of Wahhabism, according to Naisseh.

He confirmed that democratic political and social forces are organizing within areas controlled by the interim government despite shrinking freedoms, working to build a political alternative that represents all Syrians.

Naisseh believes that the governance model in North and East Syria is capable of leading the transitional phase, stating: “The General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazlum Abdi, is a credible and experienced figure qualified to lead the transitional period in partnership with other democratic forces. This model can reassure Syrians, halt the cycle of massacres and divisions, and open genuine prospects for a better future.”

The Autonomous Administration: A Model for Resolution

Responding to a question about the appropriate form of governance for Syria’s future, Ghiath Naisseh asserts that the centralized system has failed and advocates for a decentralized democratic model. Such a model would allow the regions to manage their own affairs through elected institutions within a unified state framework.

He considers the autonomous administration’s experience, despite its challenges, to be a replicable model because it accommodates Syria’s diversity and offers an innovative solution to national and sectarian issues while ensuring equality, justice, and freedoms for all Syrians.

ANHA