Although less than a month has passed since the fall of the Assad regime, the past few weeks have felt like an era of their own—marked by a whirlwind of change, uncertainty, and intense emotions. For many Syrians, hope and joy dominate, yet these feelings are tempered by lingering anxiety about the country’s future. This unease stems not only from the lack of clarity about what lies ahead but also from growing concerns over how this critical transitional period is being managed.
Public sentiment has fluctuated in response to the actions of the caretaker authority, a body appointed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to oversee the first three months of the post-Assad phase. Both the transitional authority and HTS have faced periodic criticism for decisions that have sparked heated debate. These controversies range from exclusionary rhetoric to unilateral actions that exceed the authority’s mandate and carry potentially long-term consequences.
Yet, amidst these challenges, there is a silver lining. The HTS-appointed body has, at times, responded positively to public criticism, demonstrating a willingness to adjust its course. This responsiveness offers a glimmer of hope: for the first time in decades, Syrians may have an opportunity to drive change peacefully, without fear of reprisal for voicing dissent. However, the ability of citizens to influence this transition hinges on two critical factors: transparency and accountability.
Currently, the transitional process is dominated by HTS, and its lack of openness risks alienating the public and eroding trust. To ensure accountability and empower Syrians to shape their country’s future, the decisions and actions of the transitional authority must be fully transparent. Only with transparency can the public remain informed and advocate for necessary changes. Without it, the aspiration to construct the post-Assad Syria that people envision is at risk of being undermined, jeopardising the country’s prospects for a democratic and inclusive future.
Outcry for inclusivity
One of the recent episodes that sparked widespread outrage among Syrians was a statement made by Aisha Al-Debs, Head of the Women's Affairs Office in the HTS-appointed caretaker body. In a televised interview, Al-Debs stated, "I will not allow space for those who disagree with my views (on women's affairs)," underscoring her intent to impose a rigid, ideologically driven Islamic model for women.
Syrian Director of Women's Affairs office Aisha Al-Debs:
"in the end, I will not give room to those who disagree with my way of thinking"
This in response to whether or not she will allow NGO's that empower women and defend their rights to be active in Syria.
I kid you not. pic.twitter.com/5fFmyLTTsp
— Rami Jarrah (@RamiJarrah) December 28, 2024
The backlash was not solely against her personal beliefs but rather against her exclusionary and authoritarian stance on dissent—a deeply concerning attitude for someone in a pivotal transitional leadership role. The public outrage over her comments prompted HTS-appointed officials to issue more balanced statements on this issue in an attempt to defuse the backlash.
Shortly after Al-Debs’ remarks, the caretaker body reportedly appointed Muhsina al-Mahithawi, a Druze woman from Sweida, as governor of the province. While this decision addressed demands from a delegation from Sweida, many interpreted its timing as an attempt by the group to mitigate the backlash from Al-Debs' comments by allowing women outside of HTS’s ideological framework to assume leadership roles.
Curriculum controversy
Another decision that triggered widespread criticism involved changes to school textbooks. While the move to amend the curriculum was widely acknowledged as necessary—particularly to remove mentions of the Assads and Baathist ideology—the way it was executed provoked a significant backlash.
The HTS-led transitional body went beyond what was deemed appropriate for this stage of transition, introducing changes with a distinctly religious tone. For instance, the definition of "martyr" was revised to refer to someone who dies for "God" rather than defending the "homeland."
The revisions also included the removal of an entire unit on evolution, the dismissal of Zenobia—a revered historical figure—as a fictional character, and the erasure of the history of the Arameans, Canaanites, and ancient deities.
