Middle East Press on: Haredi, Israeli, Violence, Western, Complicity, GCC: New Age Islam's Selection, 9 January 2025
By New Age Islam Edit Desk
9 January 2025
Syria's Turkmens: Political, Cultural And Constitutional Struggles
2025 And Beyond: Unyielding Cycle Of Israeli Violence And Western Complicity
Grow Up, Now: Katz-Halevi Conflict Weakens Israel’s National Security
Israel Needs To Improve Programs For Reservists Returning To Civilian Life
Secular And Haredi Israelis Must Swim In The Same Waters
The GCC’s 10 Priorities In Syria
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Syria's Turkmens: Political, Cultural And Constitutional Struggles
By Selçuk Bacalan
JAN 09, 2025
Syrian Turkmens have historically settled in a wide geography extending from Aleppo to the Golan within the borders of present-day Syria. Those who settled in these lands have been present in almost every region of Syria, especially Latakia, Damascus, Golan, Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Raqqa. This historical background makes Turkmens as Syrian as all other nationalities and ethnic groups living in Syria.
In this context, Syrian Turkmens have actively participated in the demonstrations against the Baath regime since the first days of the demonstrations that started across the country in 2011. Thus, Turkmens have become an important element of the social opposition in Syria. After 61 years of rule by the Baath regime, the peaceful demonstrations in Syria soon turned into a civil war and this process ended with the collapse of the Baath regime on Dec. 8, 2024. Among the revolutionaries who helped the regime to collapse, the groups formed by Syrian Turkmens were also effective. However, in the reconstruction of post-Baathist Syria, the constitutional rights of Turkmens and the recognition of these rights are controversial issues.
In 2016, Türkiye carried out Operation Euphrates Shield to remove the PKK terrorist organization's Syrian wing YPG from the border region. With this operation, the Syrian opposition and Turkmens gained a consolidated area. This is because the Euphrates Shield Operation area is one of the regions where Syrian Turkmens live densely. The operation launched by Türkiye in the region has brought together Turkmens, who had not achieved political unity before. Therefore, it is possible to say that this unification is one of the important factors that paved the way for Turkmen politics after the Baath regime.
Constitutional rights
The Syrian civil war not only weakened the state authority but also damaged the social order due to migration. The reconstruction of Syria, known for its ethnic diversity and the functioning of state institutions depends on the new constitution. What kind of Syria will be envisioned in the new constitution will gain importance in the coming days. In addition, the main question mark is how the ethnic and religious groups living in Syria will be defined, what rights they will obtain and on what basis fundamental rights will be based.
In this context, it would not be wrong to state that ethnic and religious representatives should be included in the constitutional committee. Among these ethnic groups, it is important that the Turkmens, one of the main elements of Syria, also have representatives. In the constitution to be written by the Syrian Turkmens, who are on the side of the revolutionaries, it is also important that the constitutional guarantee of education in the mother tongue, Turkmen national identity and culture, as well as the political representation of the Turkmens within the system, is taken under constitutional guarantee.
Ahmed al-Shaara, the de facto leader of Syria right now, who led the overthrow of the Baathist regime, also assumed the administration. However, Turkmens were not selected for the transitional government formed by al-Shaara. If Turkmens are not included in the constitutional commission in the following process, their rights may not be protected and their presence in Syria may be threatened. In this case, it would be appropriate for the political and nongovernmental organizations of Syrian Turkmens established during the opposition period to exert pressure to take part in the interim administration. In this respect, Türkiye which supports Turkmens, may also play a constructive role in protecting Turkmen rights.
The Syrian National Army
During the visits of the head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Ibrahim Kalın, and later Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Syria, the steps toward the institutionalization of armed groups within the Syrian Ministry of Defense were discussed in meetings with al-Shaara. Subsequently, on Dec. 24, 2024, al-Shaara held a meeting with representatives of armed groups close to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that fought against the Baath regime. At the meeting, it was officially announced that the armed groups had to dissolve and unite under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense of the Syrian National Army to be established.
However, the fate of the Syrian National Army (SNA), which includes Turkmen groups and is supported by Türkiye, remains uncertain. If Turkmen groups, like other armed groups, dissolve themselves and take part in the new Syrian Ministry of Defense, it may be possible for them to assume high-level positions in the army with Türkiye's initiative.
It is not clear what kind of unitary organization the Syrian state will have. It is possible that Syria will transition to a more democratic multiparty system after the fall of the dictatorial regime. In this case, Turkmen can unite their community and create a Turkmen society that will take part in politics before the elections.
Previously, Turkmens in Syria lived scattered across different regions of the country, which placed them at a disadvantage in terms of political representation. Their dispersed distribution within Syria may hinder their success in the parliamentary elections under the new Syrian system as well. Turkmen opinion leaders need to assess this situation and focus on having their representatives in the parliament. It can be argued that this goal could be achieved with the return of Turkmens, who were forced to migrate to Türkiye in the previous years. Consequently, the support of Syria's neighbors, especially Türkiye and the international community will be a decisive factor in facilitating their return to Syria.
In Syria, the Baath regime implemented an Arabization policy from 1963 until it lost power. All ethnic groups, including Turkmen, were forced to learn Arabic. For Turkmens, the way to adapt to educational institutions, public offices and even life was to speak Arabic. This situation has also negatively affected Turkmen identity and culture. In the process of rebuilding Turkmens' identity and culture in the new Syria, Turkmen NGOs and political parties can support Turkmen tribes, which were assimilated under the Baathist regime, in adopting their own identity.
In conclusion, Syrian Turkmens were demographically and politically deprived of political and social rights like other ethnic groups in Syria, especially before the civil war. During the civil war, Turkmen areas were heavily bombarded and the population was forced to migrate. Türkiye has provided support to Syrian Turkmens due to its historical and cultural ties and has established humanitarian aid and political support mechanisms. The fact that Turkmens were forced to move away from their regions due to Baathist attacks makes the future of Turkmens in the new Syria uncertain. In particular, issues such as the recognition of Turkmen rights and political representation in the constitution may be one of the issues of debate. The future position of Turkmens will depend on the attitude of international actors and local forces in the reconstruction process of Syria. In this process, it is critical for Turkmens to defend their rights and have the support of the international community.
https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/syrias-turkmens-political-cultural-and-constitutional-struggles
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2025 And Beyond: Unyielding Cycle Of Israeli Violence And Western Complicity
By Muhittin Ataman
JAN 08, 2025
The year 2024 has been recorded as one of the most brutal years for the Palestinian people and the Middle East. Israel insistently continued its genocide in Gaza and its expansionist and aggressive policies toward other regional states. Furthermore, it continued to recklessly violate the basic principles of international law and human rights. It seems that the year 2025 will not bring any change for the Palestinian people. Their destruction and resistance will continue.
Israel has been targeting the Gaza Strip for more than 450 days. It has been killing about a hundred innocent Palestinians on a daily basis. However, the international public does not care about the Israeli atrocities and the Palestinian suffering since it has become accustomed to the genocide in Gaza. In addition, innocent Palestinians die not only from being bombed but also due to hunger and cold under dire conditions.
The current balance of power will persist in the Middle East for an unknown future. As long Western countries provide unconditional diplomatic, political, economic and military support to Israel, no power can deter Israel from committing war crimes. The Israeli army targets not only states and non-state actors in the region but also members and vehicles of international organizations. The year 2025 started with their forces opening fire on a convoy of the U.N.’s World Food Program (WFP). The agency officially stated that although the convoy had received security clearances from Israeli authorities, the three vehicles were targeted by Israeli forces.
Hopefully, Israel and Hamas may reach a cease-fire in the near future. However, a potential cease-fire will not stop Israeli attacks since they never respect cease-fires. They reached a cease-fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon but still carried out more than 300 attacks against Lebanon. Even if the Israeli government reaches a cease-fire with Hamas, it will not stop its attacks against Palestinians.
Western countries will continue to support Israel’s aggressive and expansionist policies without any reservation. Major Western countries such as the U.S., the United Kingdom, Germany and France, will continue to provide unconditional support to Israel. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has been repeating that there will be hell to pay if the captives held by Hamas in Gaza are not released by the time he is in office. On the Western front, not even the slightest criticism is made against perpetrators of the genocide. Similarly, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who has stated that Israel’s security is part of Germany’s raison d’etat, justified the Israeli attacks on civilian settlements, schools and hospitals. She claimed that all these places lost their protected status.
Arab regimes will also remain inactive and watch the ongoing genocide in Gaza from afar in 2025. The majority of them have already forgotten the Arab cause or the Palestinian cause. They largely remain indifferent to the ongoing Israeli atrocities against their Palestinian brethren. Since there is no politically or militarily unified Arab world, none will try to prevent Israel from committing war crimes in Palestine.
However, the marginalization of Israel by the international community will also continue in 2025. Although no state can prevent Israel from committing war crimes, all actions taken by Israeli forces and government officials are well-documented and widely recognized by the global community. In spite of the full support of Western mainstream media, the Israeli state has lost its legitimacy in the eyes of millions of people worldwide. The pro-Israeli Western media outlets lost their credibility. It has become clear that the Western governments do not favor universal human rights or international peace and stability. The Israeli atrocities and the complicity of the Western states’ in these crimes have completely destroyed the international order and the U.N. system. No state will feel secure in the coming months and years; even allies may threaten other allies. In other words, a more chaotic period awaits us.
All in all, the unilateral policies of Israel and its Western allies have initiated a new period in world history. These aggressive policies of Israel and its supporters will damage respective national political systems in the Western world. Also, these conflictual unilateral policies will instigate negative reactions from other regional and global powers. If the relevant states do not act responsibly, a systematic conflict, or even a systemic war, may break out. That is, considering the interdependencies in regional and global contexts, the aggressive and expansionist policies of Israel will not guarantee its national security and therefore, it will not meet Western expectations.
https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/columns/2025-and-beyond-unyielding-cycle-of-israeli-violence-and-western-complicity
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Grow Up, Now: Katz-Halevi Conflict Weakens Israel’s National Security
By Jpost Editorial
January 9, 2025
When rockets are raining down, and the nation is mourning, the last thing Israel needs is its top defense officials publicly clashing. Yet, as The Jerusalem Post’s senior military correspondent Yonah Jeremy Bob reported on Wednesday, Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi are embroiled in a bitter conflict over the October 7 massacre and future military leadership.
This isn’t leadership; on the contrary, it’s chaos. Let’s be clear: While Israel’s enemies remain united in their goal to destroy us, our leaders seem intent on undermining each other.
This is not the first time the government has found itself at odds with the military. In December, IDF Spokesperson R.-Adm. Daniel Hagari was reprimanded after criticizing the “Feldstein bill” as “very dangerous to the IDF” during a press conference. Hagari later apologized, admitting, “I overstepped my authority.”
Katz, who oversaw the reprimand, described Hagari’s statements as “completely outside of what is permitted and expected from someone in uniform in a democratic regime.” Now, this same dynamic of public criticism and disciplinary drama is being replayed at the highest levels of the defense establishment.
On Wednesday, Katz publicly aligned himself with State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman, who accused the IDF of obstructing his probe into the October 7 attacks. Katz demanded that the IDF complete its own investigation within three weeks.
Halevi, in turn, criticized Katz for making sensitive national security matters public. “These issues should be discussed privately behind closed doors,” Halevi said. Katz’s approach is damaging not only to the IDF’s credibility but to Israel’s national security – according to Halevi.
Observers cited by Bob argue that Katz’s moves are politically motivated, aiming to protect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and shift blame for October 7 onto Halevi and the military.
“Many observers believe that pushing Halevi and other generals out of office is the true goal of Katz,” Bob wrote. If this is the case, such actions are reckless and selfish. Leadership should focus on accountability and unity, not political maneuvering.
Meanwhile, Englman accused the IDF of secretly recording interviews with officers and refusing to hand over the recordings. Halevi’s team countered that the recordings were for “internal records.” Regardless of the justification, this public discord erodes trust in both the IDF and the government. As National Unity Party Chair Benny Gantz aptly stated, “Trust between the Defense Minister and the Chief of Staff is an integral part of national security.”
This discord is particularly troubling given Halevi’s statements that ongoing military operations take precedence over meeting Katz’s deadlines for completing the probes. Halevi has implied that releasing the findings could increase pressure on him and his generals to resign – a move many believe Katz is eager to see. Halevi also hinted that Netanyahu’s refusal to allow a probe into his own role in October 7 has contributed to delays.
Tensions escalate
In recent weeks, the tensions between Katz and Halevi escalated further when Katz announced that no new IDF appointments would be approved until all October 7 probe results were submitted to his office.
As reported by Maariv journalist Ben Caspit, Katz’s directive appeared to be a deliberate attempt to pressure Halevi, with Caspit commenting, “The primary role of Israel Katz now seems to be making Halevi’s life miserable and expediting his departure.”
Caspit also criticized the government for shirking its own accountability regarding the October 7 attacks, stating, “The massacre occurred under the watch of this right-wing government. They are the ones who owe the public an explanation more than any other body.”
Katz’s actions, combined with the government’s failure to allow an investigation into its own handling of the events, further deepen the mistrust and frustration felt by many within the defence establishment and the public alike.
Our enemies are undoubtedly watching. Every headline about this internal bickering only emboldens those who seek to destroy us. As Halevi himself has emphasized, “Ongoing military operations are a higher goal.” This isn’t a time for political theatre but rather a time for unity and leadership.
To Katz, Halevi, and all leaders of Israel’s defence establishment: Grow up. The stakes are too high for division and ego. Israel cannot afford this kind of disunity. Our enemies thrive on our weakness. Leadership must rise above these petty battles and remember the greater goal: ensuring the safety and survival of the State of Israel.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-836705
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Israel Needs To Improve Programs For Reservists Returning To Civilian Life
By Gaby Kashy-Rosenbaum
January 9, 2025
The transition to civilian life after months of combat can pose significant adjustment difficulties for discharged reservists. Prolonged absence from work can result in income loss and financial strain on families, particularly for salaried employees who were laid off or self-employed individuals whose businesses were harmed during the war.
Moreover, transitioning from the intensity of the military framework to civilian routine is a complex process, often accompanied by significant psychological challenges.
Many discharged soldiers describe a loss of meaning stemming from the gap between the sense of mission they experienced during the war and the emptiness and detachment they feel upon returning to routine.
Additionally, feelings of guilt and moral confusion are especially prevalent among those who experienced the loss of comrades or were required to carry out difficult actions as part of their roles.
Coping with traumatic experiences from combat can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), manifested through symptoms such as detachment, depression, intrusive memories, anxiety, sleep disturbances, a sense of helplessness, functional difficulties, outbursts of anger, and psychoactive substance abuse.
Feelings of guilt and the reluctance to seek help due to the stigma surrounding psychological assistance make it difficult for soldiers to share their distress. These factors can worsen their mental state and increase their risk of suicide.
SUICIDE AMONG security forces after war is a known and troubling phenomenon observed in many countries, including Israel. This phenomenon results from a combination of psychological, social, and physiological factors caused by prolonged exposure to stress, trauma, and loss.
In countries like the United States, the suicide rate among discharged soldiers is significantly higher than that of the general population. Since 2003, the United States has recorded a consistent rise in suicide rates among soldiers, primarily due to their participation in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
All-time high in Israel
According to data presented by the IDF last week, suicides since the Israel-Hamas War began have reached a 13-year high, with an estimated increase in numbers still expected.
Since the beginning of the war, the IDF has reported 38 deaths being investigated as suspected suicides, of which 18 were reservists (42%), all men. The IDF stated that “the war and the unprecedented pressures on service members are undoubtedly affecting the issue.”
Access to personal firearms and the use of psychoactive substances are significant risk factors for suicide, particularly among combat soldiers. Exposure to combat events involving violence and killing accelerates psychological processes that can lead to suicidal ideation, with the availability of weapons facilitating the act.
Studies point to a direct link between access to firearms and an increase in suicide rates, particularly among young men and discharged soldiers. In Israel, a policy change by the IDF in 2006, which required soldiers to leave their weapons on base during leave, led to a significant reduction in the number of suicides among soldiers.
These findings underscore the need to limit access to personal firearms as a means of reducing suicide rates. This issue warrants special attention, particularly in light of the unique characteristics of Israel’s reservist population and the permissive policy on personal firearm ownership promoted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
PSYCHOACTIVE substance use is another significant factor that increases the risk of suicide. Prolonged exposure to stress and pressure causes heightened adrenaline secretion, which increases arousal and the tendency to use addictive substances.
Discharged reservists report a significant increase in smoking, alcohol consumption, cannabis use, drugs, and prescription medications (mainly for relaxation and sleep). Studies show a direct link between the use of psychoactive substances and an increase in suicide rates, with the connection being even stronger when personal firearms are accessible in their environment.
The return to civilian life after prolonged reserve service requires a systematic and comprehensive approach. The IDF has reported several measures taken to reduce suicide incidents, including the establishment of a 24/7 telephone assistance hotline, an expansion of mental health officer availability, and the creation of a new mental health center with clinics across the country.
However, alongside providing psychological support, it is essential to limit access to personal firearms, increase economic support for reservists, and reduce the stigma surrounding seeking mental health assistance. These measures can support the rehabilitation of reservists and help them reintegrate optimally into civilian life.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-836688
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Secular And Haredi Israelis Must Swim In The Same Waters
By Renee Garfinkel
January 9, 2025
Last week, The Wall Street Journal ran the thought-provoking article “What Happens When a Whole Generation Never Grows Up.” It delved into the plight of young people struggling to meet the milestones of adulthood. As I read it, my thoughts drifted closer to home – to our own Haredi community. What happens when an entire community, not just a generation, never grows up?
Let’s start with history. The Holocaust didn’t just devastate Jewish communities; it shattered them, leaving fragments of what once was. Haredi communities bore the brunt of this unimaginable destruction. When the tattered remnants of these communities made their way to Israel, they were given an incubator of sorts.
Think of it as a neonatal ICU for a people and their way of life: a carefully controlled environment to nurture their recovery, protect their fragility, and allow them time to rebuild.
And rebuild they did – spectacularly. Today, the haredi community in Israel is flourishing. Their population has grown exponentially, their institutions are thriving, and their schools and yeshivas are bursting at the seams.
If the goal was to ensure survival, the mission has been accomplished, with Divine assistance and significant help from the State of Israel.
The question now is: When will the haredi community say, “Thank you, we’re ready to stand on our own?” When will they step out of the incubator and into full civic participation?
Arrested development
As the Wall Street Journal article points out, arrested development isn’t always a matter of choice. External crises – a pandemic, an economic meltdown, or in this case, the Holocaust – can leave scars that take generations to heal.
For haredim, the trauma of World War II wiped out their support systems and institutions. Yet, even in those dark times, individual haredim displayed remarkable resilience. Many fought bravely in Israel’s War of Independence, proving that even in the face of horror, they could rise to the occasion as adults.
BUT ARRESTED development can also be internal, born of dependency and fear. There’s something undeniably comforting about staying in a cocoon. It’s warm, predictable, and free from the risks of the outside world. After all, as a friend’s grandfather once quipped, “If you don’t go into the water, you’ll never drown.” True. But you’ll never learn to swim either.
And swimming, as it happens, is a Jewish imperative. According to the Talmud (Kiddushin 29a), one of a parent’s obligations is to teach their children to swim. Yes, alongside circumcision, Torah study, and finding a trade, swimming makes the cut.
Why? Because the world is dangerous, and survival requires strength, skills, and the confidence to face uncertainty. It’s a lesson the haredi community can and should take to heart. They have the strength. They can acquire the skills. It’s time to trust themselves enough to take the plunge.
THE REST OF Israel thinks the haredi community is ready. A recent poll found that an overwhelming 84.5% of Israelis support drafting haredim into the military, just like everyone else.
This isn’t just a popular idea; it’s a national necessity. The country needs all hands on deck, and after decades of special protections and exemptions, the haredi community is more than capable of stepping up.
So why don’t they? Why, after all this time, are they still stuck in a state of arrested development?
For the answer, we turn to the wisdom of Woody Allen. In Annie Hall, Allen recounts an old joke:
“A guy walks into a psychiatrist’s office and says, ‘Doc, my brother’s crazy! He thinks he’s a chicken.’ The doctor says, ‘Why don’t you turn him in?’ The guy replies, ‘I would, but I need the eggs.’”
And there it is. The haredi community’s dependency – and our tolerance of it – is a co-dependent relationship. The haredim remain in their bubble because they find it safer and less risky. The rest of Israel tolerates this because, for all the frustration, there are benefits to having a vibrant haredi world.
The eggs, so to speak, are their contributions to Jewish continuity, spirituality, and the rich tapestry of Israeli society. And most of all, their votes sustain the current government.
But at some point, we need to ask: Do we really still need the eggs? Or is it time to encourage our haredi brothers and sisters to step out of their protective bubble, embrace full civic responsibility, and contribute to the collective good – not just for their sake, but for the benefit of the entire nation? It’s a tough question, but one we can no longer avoid.
Because if we truly want a whole and united Israel, we’ll need everyone, haredi and secular alike, swimming together in the same waters. Yes, it’s risky. Yes, it’s scary. But it’s also the only way forward.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-836651
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The GCC’s 10 Priorities In Syria
Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg
January 08, 2025
The Gulf Cooperation Council has been among the first to respond positively to the changing conditions in Syria. Held just days after the first major incursion by the rebels into areas controlled by the Assad regime, the GCC’s annual summit witnessed extensive discussions on the developments. The summit’s Dec. 1 communique spelled out some of its concerns at the time.
On Dec. 26, GCC foreign ministers held an emergency session focused on Syria. The organization made its position clearer in a detailed statement issued afterward. A visit to Damascus by a high-level GCC delegation followed, during which the new Syrian leadership reassured the visitors of its desire to forge a close partnership, focused on mutual interests and restoring Syria’s historical ties to the Gulf.
Over the past several weeks, the GCC has articulated several priorities in Syria.
First is the need for all to respect Syria’s sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity. In practice, this means ending outside interference in its internal affairs and allowing the Syrian people to sort out their differences. Israel has to refrain from attacking Syria, Iran has to stop meddling, Russia has to respect the wishes of the new rulers and Turkiye and the US have to defer to Damascus on settling the Kurdish issue in northeastern Syria. Biden administration officials have indicated that they will do that and it is hoped that the Trump administration will do the same. Russia has also said that it will respect Syria’s decisions regarding its presence in the country.
By contrast, Israel has intensified its attacks on Syria and it seized new territory in December, in addition to the Golan Heights it has occupied since 1967. Some Iranian officials have indicated they will continue their divisive approach to Syria by fomenting sectarian strife. Turkiye’s position has been ambiguous and will likely depend on how the Kurdish issue is settled.
Second, the GCC will support an inclusive transition, away from the Assad era’s divisive and sectarian politics. Accountability for the former regime’s atrocities is essential, but it needs to be combined with national reconciliation and inclusion of those who did not commit human rights violations. Syria should celebrate its rich cultural diversity, while avoiding the confessional or ethnicity-based power-sharing systems that have plagued some of its neighbours for decades, allowing fair and meaningful merit-based participation for all.
Third, the GCC supports Syria’s decision to dissolve all militias and armed groups, ensuring that only government forces are allowed to bear arms, while upholding the rule of law and providing protection for all.
Fourth, the Gulf bloc believes that Syria’s security is integral to regional security and hence has welcomed statements by the new rulers that the country will no longer pose a threat to its Arab neighbours and will instead contribute positively to regional peace and security. Through its long-time alliance with extremist forces in Iran, the Assad regime had harboured terrorists working against the Gulf states and waged a drug war against them.
Fifth, the GCC applauded statements that Damascus would engage positively with the international community and with the Arab world, thus reversing Assad’s disregard for the UN and the Arab League. Assad had refused to meet with UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen or comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which mandated a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Similarly, he failed to fulfil his obligations to the Arab League after he was allowed to return to the organization.
Sixth, the GCC is ready to work with international partners to support stabilization and early recovery, which needs to be done urgently. The war in Syria has wreaked havoc on its economy and people’s livelihoods: gross domestic product declined from $68 billion when the war started in 2011 to $9 billion 10 years later — an 87 percent drop. The annual income of the average Syrian is about $400, a fraction of what it was before the war. Exports also shrank from more than $12 billion to less than $2 billion during the same period, a drop of 85 percent. As a result, food insecurity soared, from about 1 percent before the war to about 48 percent in 2022, according to UN figures. Much of Syria’s infrastructure lies in ruins, including roads, electricity, schools, hospitals and homes.
Gulf states have rushed relief supplies to Syria, but that only goes so far. The GCC is calling for an international conference to mobilize resources to provide humanitarian and development aid. Equally important, the conference should provide technical assistance to rebuild state institutions.
Seventh, the GCC recognizes the need for the safe, voluntary and orderly return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. Next to the killings and injury of hundreds of thousands, displacement has been the cruelest feature of the war. According to UN figures, about 7.25 million Syrians were displaced within Syria’s borders in 2023, while more than 4.8 million were refugees abroad. In total, more than 12 million people have been made homeless, about 52 percent of Syria’s population of 23 million. The pace of their return will depend on how fast security and basic services are restored and infrastructure is repaired, including health, education, electricity and water facilities.
Eighth, the GCC expressed support for the UN secretary-general’s call for a new mission to assist Syria in transitioning to normality after the devastation of the 13-year war. This process can be more productive by being Syrian-led. The new authorities have announced plans to hold a comprehensive national dialogue, which is a very promising step toward restoring national unity and social cohesion.
Ninth, the GCC has called on the international community to do its part to help Syria open a new page and prevent a return to the chaos of the civil war. This includes lifting sanctions and providing substantial funds for stabilization, early recovery and for encouraging the private sector to resume its indispensable economic role. The global community should work with the new authorities to combat terrorism and prevent a resurgence of Daesh. More work needs to be done to repatriate the remaining foreign terrorist fighters and their families to their home countries. The US and Turkiye need to wrap up the conflict in the northeast, where they are supporting opposing factions, and the US needs to restrain Israel.
Finally, the GCC supports the regional reintegration of Syria, so that it can play a constructive role in restoring peace and security, instead of being an agent for destabilization and mischief during decades of self-induced estrangement from its neighbours.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2585675
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