Syria: Crucial decisions expected to expand minority participation

Informed political sources in Damascus revealed that the Syrian government is preparing to take a series of internal measures in the coming period aimed at calming societal tensions and healing the rift that has recently worsened following the horrific massacres in the city of Sweida, the threads of which are still gradually being revealed today.

According to several report from the Syrian Capital, Damascus, the Syrian authorities, with the support of US and Arab countries, are working on a multi-track plan to ease the escalating popular tensions since the coastal massacres last March.

These tensions reached their peak after the attack on Sweida, where widespread violations were committed against Druze and Bedouin civilians, leading to a deep division in the Syrian social fabric.

According to one source, the government is preparing to launch tangible steps aimed at strengthening civil peace, including reassuring measures for minorities and expanding their presence in civil and military institutions, reflecting a desire for inclusive representation and achieving a broader balance within the state.

In this context, a source close to the High Elections Committee revealed that a presidential decree will be issued soon to increase the number of People’s Assembly members, without specifying the final figure.

This step comes within the framework of responding to the growing demands to expand the base of popular representation, especially after the developments in Sweida.

The new electoral system will crystallize after field visits to various governorates, during which community figures met inside the council building, and there are confirmations that work is underway to prepare lists of qualified and prominent figures, with approximately 7,000 names collected so far, with the possibility of raising the number to 10,000 if the anticipated decree is issued.

And on the Syrian coast region, another source reported that the government is planning bold steps to regain the confidence of the Alawite community, most notably the release of thousands of former soldiers detained since the fall of the Assad regime, with the exception of those involved in serious crimes, who will be referred to the judiciary.

The plan also includes a comprehensive review of the arbitrary dismissal cases that affected thousands of employees, with the intention of reinstating them to their jobs as soon as possible.

The source also indicated the state’s intention to open the way for young Alawites to rejoin the security and military institutions, while ensuring their service within their areas on the coast, with the aim of involving them in maintaining local security.