Syrian Researcher: Sweida will not turn the page of massacres

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian transitional government announced the adoption of a roadmap to "resolve the Sweida crisis," following a tripartite meeting that included Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, the Jordanian Foreign Minister, and the US Special Envoy to Syria. The roadmap was met with popular rejection, with residents asserting that the signatories do not represent them. They launched a field signature campaign demanding the right to self-determination, emphasizing that the fate of their regions is decided by their people.

Syrian researcher Mays al-Kreidi spoke to ANHA agency about the position of the people of her city, Sweida, the reasons for their rejection, the repercussions of such an agreement, and its future.

Mays al-Kreidi stated, "This transitional government, or what is known as the interim government, is essentially a government established with a specific functional role. On the one hand, it lacks sovereign decision-making power, and on the other, it came to power to implement the agendas of its sponsoring states. Accordingly, among its tasks are redrawing the map, dividing Syria, and achieving interests that intersect with the Turkish-Israeli conflict."

She added, "From this standpoint, it is a government that does what is asked of it. In addition, it is originally a government designated as a terrorist organization, and therefore does not even have the option of discussion or rejection, because it seeks legitimacy by any means necessary and the ability to seize power by any means necessary."

The Syrian researcher emphasized that "the current government is ready to implement all the agendas demanded of it in exchange for remaining in power and closing the terrorism file. However, it is not a decision-maker; rather, it is an authority entirely led by Turkey. Therefore, it implements what is agreed upon with the Turkish government and US envoy Thomas Barrack, based on regional settlements and understandings and new regional maps, which appear to prioritize the division of Syria."

She emphasized that the transitional government "performed its assigned role when it conspired and colluded in accordance with its ideological structure, relying on the rejection, killing, intimidation, and non-recognition of others. It committed these massacres, whether in the coast or in Sweida. It either brought about its own fall, or the agenda was implemented through it. This is because the appropriate face for implementing this agenda is this authority, which carries the ideology of terrorizing, slaughtering, and killing others."

She explained: "Therefore, it is committing massacres in Sweida and the coast, and threatening massacres against all others. It is only natural that it would aspire to cleanse its record, and this, of course, will not happen."

She continued: "The proposed items are procrastination items, aiming to replace the UN basket and the UN resolution with a roadmap, which they called the Sweida Roadmap. It has received international acclaim by name, and thus this map represents the approach of countries to addressing the comprehensive Syrian situation."

Mays al-Kreidi said, "However, implementing these provisions with such an authority will encounter numerous obstacles related to insecurity, chaos, and regional and international conflict. This government does not have the organization, capacity, or institutional mindset necessary to implement these provisions. However, in the long term, it will serve as an alternative plan, replacing the UN framework and Resolution 2254, and will become the form of solution or model that will be applied across all Syrian territory."

She added, "This government, with its characteristics and the reality characterized by terrorism it operates in, will be unable to implement these provisions and will face multiple regional interferences, leading to the continuation of the vicious cycle and the escalation of the conflict on Syrian soil."

Mays al-Kreidi pointed out that " Sweida rejected this decision, as it has victims in the massacres committed, and a sense of betrayal not only by the government, but also by its accompanying structures, which overwhelmed the wave of support for it among its supporters and among a large portion of the Syrian people. There was a general sense of betrayal due to the collapse of humanitarian support, so Sweida refused to let the wounds be healed, the accountability process be buried, and this authority be re-emerged."

Mays al-Kreidi emphasized that " Sweida adheres to full accountability for all and refuses to be dragged into such a confrontation again. It does not want to repeat the tragedies of being slaughtered by others under the guise of takfir or terrorism. Rather, it seeks a sustainable solution and wants everyone who committed these massacres to be held accountable, and for the current authority not to be allowed to reproduce itself or polish its image."

Mais al-Kreidi concluded: "Every free, honorable person in the world will accept nothing less than direct accountability for the perpetrators, and the current government is the main suspect and the primary perpetrator. It is the cause even if it didn't commit the crimes itself. It is the one encouraging them, and therefore direct responsibility falls on the head of the government. Sweida will not turn this page and will not allow the reproduction of this government. Whoever accepts it is up to them. As for Sweida, as a free choice, it does not want to polish the image of this terrorist government after it has shed precious blood on Syrian soil, and it does not want to compromise on the wounds of the Syrians."

ANHA