Transitional govt. adopts Baath’s approach in organizing celebrations

The General Secretariat for Political Affairs of the transitional government in Syria, which replaced the former Baath Party Central Command, is entrenching Baath-style practices through its celebrations, particularly the ongoing ones marking the “fall of the Baathist regime.”

On March 27, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian transitional government established the "General Secretariat for Political Affairs" by a ministerial decree, with the aim, as stated in the decree, of strengthening political work.

The "General Secretariat for Political Affairs" replaced the Arab Socialist Baath Party in terms of mindset and location, as its new signage was placed on the former Central Command building of the party in Damascus, in an attempt to emulate the Baath’s infamous experience in consolidating control over the political sphere.

According to observations by ANHA agency, the banner featured the phrase “General Secretariat for Political Affairs,” accompanied by the Secretariat’s logo, which was previously used when it operated merely as an “administration” under the Salvation Government in Idlib, an indication that it is an extension of that body.

A few days ago, this entity relied on old Baath Party circulars and followed the same approach of enforcing and tightening control over holding celebrations inside classrooms and schools, playing “revolutionary songs” during the morning assembly, and chanting: “Our leader forever is our master Muhammad.” The circulars also reached state institutions, instructing them to raise flags, decorate buildings, and organize celebrations “befitting the occasion.”

They stressed that any entity failing to participate in the celebrations would be held accountable.

Among the slogans raised were: “The unity of Syrian territory is a non-negotiable goal,” “Coexistence within a stable state that accommodates everyone,” and “Rejecting the fragmentation of Syrian geography.”

These slogans, however, were sharply criticized by the Syrian public, who see the transitional government authorities as attempting to present themselves as a state while continuing to behave on the ground with a faction-like mentality they have been unable to abandon.

Many mocked the calls for unifying Syria through banners, at a time when the authorities continue to spread inciting rhetoric through government-backed “influencers” and media outlets that attack other communities, accuse them of separatism, and advocate against shared governance. Meanwhile, the authorities seek to dominate state institutions and block any meaningful participation in governance.

As the transitional government spends large sums on decorations and celebrations without oversight or transparency, citizens question the source of this money, especially as these same institutions fail to provide even the most basic services, cannot pay monthly salaries, and ask residents to donate to secure them.

The Secretariat, officially announced in 2024, operates under the authority of the transitional government’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Asaad al-Shaibani, who held the same post in the Salvation Government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, concealed at that time under the name Zaid al-Attar (Abu Aisha), before publicly appearing under his real name as the transitional government’s foreign minister.

This Secretariat has representatives in the Syrian areas controlled by the transitional government: Damascus and its countryside, Aleppo, Latakia and Tartous, Homs, Hama, Daraa (including Quneitra and Sweida), Deir Ez-Zor; and Idlib.

A-H 

ANHA