A new initiative for peace in Syria is stirring unrest instead of fostering calm among the war-weary population. The Committee for Civil Peace, launched by the nascent government, was intended to bridge divides exacerbated by a brutal civil war lasting over 14 years. However, its formation has raised ire among activists and supporters of the anti-Assad uprising, who feel the drive for accountability is being undermined.
Outrage peaked during the recent Eid al-Adha celebrations when the committee announced the release of numerous former regime soldiers, asserting they were not linked to criminal activities. This decision has ignited demands for protests across the nation. Activist Rami Abdelhaq emphasized the frustration felt in opposition circles, stating, “What everyone has been waiting for since Assad’s fall is to see the punishment of those who committed war crimes. Instead, we are shocked to discover there’s a release of many people.”
The Committee was established in response to significant violence against the Alawite minority, historically linked to former President Bashar al-Assad, who had relied on this sect to bolster his military forces during the uprising. After a failed counterinsurgency attempt in March, governmental affiliates retaliated violently against Alawite civilians, prompting human rights groups to document hundreds of deaths.
The juxtaposition of attempts to foster peace and the clamor for justice presents a complex challenge for the fledgling government. While the peace committee aims to diffuse lingering tensions within Syria, many citizens assert that true reconciliation cannot occur without acknowledging the atrocities of the past and holding accountable those who perpetuated them. Without a true commitment to transitional justice, the wounds from the Syrian civil war may take longer to heal than initially hoped.
