Syria’s Reconstruction-a Russian Political Project

The Situation in Sweida is Heating Up

Yazidi children are ISIS’s ticking time bomb Photo by: Jian Haj Yousef 1 Editorial

Editorial ...... 3 Geneva and Astana Index Geneva and Astana Article ...... 4 Suwar Team Deir Ezzor: The marginalized city becomes the center of major power struggles in the region The Syrian people today feel bitter and disheartened about their situation and that of their community and

country, which has been divided into cantons and isolated pockets, as a result of a war that has reinforced • Deir Al-Zor.. War on Terrorism Destroys the Margin- alized City social and geographical division, displaced millions and killed thousands.

• The Russian-American Conflict in Deir al-Zor Chaos These feelings are enhanced by the actions of the different regional and international powers including Rus- of a Frantic Race sia, , , the United States of America and the Gulf States who have not played any positive role in • Deir al-Zor Residents.. From the Horrors of Shelling de-escalating the Syrian war or supporting efforts for a peaceful solution. On the contrary, these powers have to the Hell of Displacement exacerbated the situation, with some participating directly in the conflict, making the losses and destruction more disastrous. All this has increased the feeling of loss among , especially as the negotiations taking Dialogues ...... 12 place do not bring about a solution to the death of Syrians. Suwar Magazine interview with Riad Hammoud Darar, a political and social activist and The Geneva negotiations do not appear to be making any significant progress on a political solution to the author from Deir Ezzor. Syrian issue, with the exception of Mr. De Mistura›s submission to the United Nations Security Council call-

ing for all parties to participate together at the expert level on legal and constitutional issues to break the 18 Point of View ...... stalemate. The opposition is concerned with the discussion of the political transition and demands progress Geneva and the Road to a Political Solution in this area, while the regime delegation insists that fighting terrorism should be the priority for any nego- The rhythm of the lens ...... 22 tiations. Meanwhile the absence of international support for the negotiations exacerbates the situation. The countries active in the Syrian negotiations want to promote their interests through a variety of avenues, but Reports and Investigations ...... 24 a political solution is not one of them, which is why they do not put pressure on the participating parties to • The Situation in Sweida is Heating Up reach a solution.

• Children of the Countryside.. From Schools to In the context of the vicious cycle of these difficult political negotiations, the Russians and the Turks devel- Recruitment Camps oped another framework in Astana, which is focused on military negotiations. These negotiations are consid-

• Yazidi children are ISIS’s ticking time bomb ered by some to be more important than the political negotiations in Geneva and even as an alternative to them. This sentiment is particularly prevalent after the participating parties in Astana reached an agreement Window on Rights ...... 39 on “de-escalation zones», which were drawn on the basis of the ceasefire agreement, and with , Tur- Honor Crimes: A Continuous Injustice key, and Iran as guarantors. This de-escalation agreement seemed to satisfy the demands of many regional • تتأصل المدنية بالوعي • Trapped and Abandoned and international parties. This indicates that the military and armed groups are the decision-makers in The Experience of Female Detainees in the Syrian war. International resolutions and political negotiations are not effecting what is happening Monthly Magazine about Civil Society, on the ground with the displacement of populations, demographic changes, and the redrawing of maps and . Economy ...... 46 and borders to separate these de-escalated areas. These practices will have implications and conse- Syria’s Reconstruction-a Russian Political Project quences on the country›s future and its territorial integrity. Suwar is an independent magazine with an editorial board consisting of Syrian Culture ...... 53 (investigative) journalists. Akitia.. The Story of Land and Identity

Cinema ...... 56 To contact and send contributions and suggestions: On the Bride’s Side Email: [email protected] To Be Syrian ...... 59 Facebook: suwar-magazine website: www.suwar-magazine.org

Articles appended to the names of their writer convey their opinions only, and it does not necessarily convey the opinion of 2 3 the magazine or the editorial team Article

Deir Ezzor: The marginalized city becomes the Deir Al-Zor center of major power struggles in the region War on Terrorism Destroys the Marginalized City Ahmad Al-Ali

Newly discovered archaeological finds indicate that the history of the city of Deir al-Zor dates back to about 10,000 Deir Al-Zor BC and that it has been inhabited since the 9th century BC. Civilizations followed one after another in the city, which has witnessed the days of the Assyrians, the Acadians, the War on Terrorism Destroys the Marginalized City Romans and others. Islamic rule passed through this city, before spreading to the rest of Syria and then later to the Ottoman Empire. After the Anglo-French Sykes-Picot agreements in 1916, which redistributed Arab land formerly Ahmad Al-Ali under Ottoman rule between the two powers, Deir al-Zor became a marginalized city on the edge of Syria. Most of its economy depends on agriculture and livestock, because of its proximity to the Euphrates River.

The Russian-American Conflict in Deir al-Zor Deir al-Zor is considered one of the most important ment of the Syrian revolution and its streets witnessed cotton producing cities in Syria, which was ranked sec- demonstrations exceeding 250,000 people. As the Syr- Chaos of a Frantic Race ond in the world in production before 2011. It is also ian revolution became more militarized, many of its famous for the cultivation of wheat, barley, sugar beet, residents became members of the Free ; Kamal Al-Srouji fruit trees, and vegetables, and is one of the most im- thousands of its inhabitants were arrested and forcibly portant livestock producing cities with cattle and sheep disappeared in the regime’s prisons; large parts of the Deir al-Zor Residents in addition to fish from the Euphrates River. city and its countryside were destroyed and thousands Deir al-Zor Governorate is the second largest Syrian were killed by the regime’s air force. From the Horrors of Shelling to the Hell of Displacement province, covering an area of 33,000 square kilometers. With the emergence of ISIS and its expansion and con- It has strategic importance, making it one of the most trol over the majority of the province as well as their George K. Maiala important cities in Syria because of the oil and gas fields efforts to control the oil of the region, the main nerve of discovered there in the 1980s. These fields are mainly Deir al-Zor`s economy, the international alliance for the located on the northeastern side of the Euphrates River, “war against terrorism” began to target the area in order in the region which is locally called the “island” (al-Ja- to eliminate ISIS, after taking control of . zeera in ). In addition, there are pumping and as- Deir al-Zor is currently witnessing an intensity in fight- sembly stations of oil coming from Hasakeh and Raqqa ing that has not been seen in other cities since Aleppo. Governorates. The difference is that the whole world is bombing it, Although Deir al-Zor was the richest of the Syrian prov- including the Syrian regime and its Russian ally; the in- inces during the rule of Hafez al-Assad, it became more ternational coalition; and local and foreign militias who marginalized and impoverished. Despite the high rate of are providing support from the ground. education, the regime deliberately brought in employ- Whatever the identity of the final victor, the ultimate ees from other provinces to manage the oil sector, rath- loser in this war are the Syrian civilians who have been er than educate and recruit from the area’s residents, or uprooted from their land and seen the foundations of develop an industrial base accompanying the produc- their lives destroyed. In Deir al-Zor today you will find tion and refining of oil, forcing many of its youth to mi- only empty cities and villages, and hundreds of hectares grate outside the country in search of sources to make of arid land that were once green fields. a decent living. In the 1980s, the people of Deir al-Zor suffered on a large-scale from arrests and were killed In this issue, Suwar Magazine opens and explores the due to their perceived affiliation to the Muslim Brother- myriad issues facing the province of Deir al-Zor, its stra- hood, the Iraqi Ba’ath party and communist, nationalist tegic importance, the nature of the conflict there and and Arabic movements which were anti-regime. the intertwined forces, as well as studies the situation of In 2011, the province joined the peaceful civilian move- its IDPs and the human rights violations against them.

4 5 they continued to advance and did not withdraw to The Iranian dream and the evacuation of Deir The Russian-American Conflict in Deir al-Zor the Syrian-Jordanian border. al-Zor Chaos of a Frantic Race Throughout this period, the Americans continued to Iran is engaging in a substantial effort to shape the provide direct support to Syria’s Democratic Forces future of eastern Syria, establishing the region as a Kamal Al-Srouji (DSF), a majority Kurdish force, with aerial coverage starting point for the establishment of military bas- through the international coalition air force. This es. From these it can impose its influence on parts of raises significant questions about America’s moti- the Iraqi border and cut off links with the Sunni-ma- In the last few weeks, the international conflict in American planning rush vations in supporting these forces in an area where jority region along the -Syria border. If Iran were Deir al-Zor has reached a dangerous new stage. In the last three months, the United States has made there is no Kurdish population over a force with a able to achieve this strategic position, it would be The race to control the city and expel ISIS has in- many mistakes in Deir al-Zor. At first, the U.S. sup- significant portion of its members from the- prov able to weaken the strong ties between the area’s tensified, with many international parties partici- ported, through the Jordanian government, Free ince. populations. It would also allow the Popular Mo- pating. bilization Force (PMF) and its allies to enter Syria, Syrian Army factions such as the Lions of the East “The main objective of the American plan is to in- granting Iran the chance to achieve its historic goal The US-Russian understanding of the situation in Army and the Martyr Ahmad al-’Abdu forces in the crease the fragmentation of Syrian society and to Syrian Badia region. This support allowed the intro- of establishing a path to the Mediterranean. Syria appears to be very fragile in regards to Deir feed the Arab Kurdish conflict, which contributes to duction of some Arab factions into the battles for al-Zor. The conflict between the two superpow- striking the unity of the country, facilitating control However, the bombing by U.S. forces on Iranian control of the province. However, as time went on, ers is growing to be as intense as it was during over it, and implementing any new plan imposed on forces heading to Deir al-Zor at the Tanf border the U.S. withdrew its support from these factions, to it,” said activist Imran al-Diri to Suwar Magazine. crossing between Syria, , and Iraq was a clear the days of the Cold War. such an extent that it threatened to bomb them if message to Iran that the United States would not On the other hand, the Syrian regime has begun to allow them to obtain such influence over the Syri- realize its aspirations of engaging Russia as a part- an-Iraqi border. ner in the fight against ISIS. Those aspirations have been around for a long time, despite the resistance This is how the race between the Russians and the of the U.S. and . Americans in Deir El-Zor looks; it is a last minute competition, with each side vying to see who can gain greater geographic influence and win the most political points, giving them an edge in negotiating the terms that will end the war in Syria. Occurring parallel to these events, analysts believe there have been fierce attacks on civilians in east- ern Syria with the aim of evacuating the region in order to control its oil resources more easily. Oil is the main resource aiding the efforts of any group supported by Russia or the U.S., reducing the heavy cost burden they levy on their allies. Some of these forces include Syria’s Democratic Forces on the American side, and the regime and its militias on the Russian side. “The biggest loser is the Syrians, Arabs, and or whatever their affiliation is. The destruction of Deir al-Zor and its wealth and the displacement of its people is a loss for all of Syria and for any true

6 7 Syrian national project,” activist Suhaib al-Jaber told Many officers have been killed during the fighting, Suwar Magazine. and a number of journalists accompanying them have been injured. Many doubt that public pressure could sway the Does media pressure succeed? Russian government into discontinuing its efforts in At the end of last September, the Russian govern- Syria. ment announced the death of the head of a group “Russia does not resemble Western countries where of Russian military advisers in Syria, Field Marshal civil society usually succeeds in pressing govern- Deir al-Zor Residents Valery Assabov. Assabov was killed with mortar ments to withdraw from wars, like the wars of Viet- shells fired by ISIS on one of the command centers From the Horrors of Shelling to the Hell of Displacement nam and Iraq,” said Abu Ibrahim, a defected colonel, of the Syrian regime forces. who has previously lived in Russia. Russian sources said that the field marshal was killed George K. Maiala Abu Ibrahim continued, saying, “Russia is a state in an intelligence operation, by unknowingly giving controlled by the intelligence services, and behind it his location and the timing of his presence at the the mafias, and therefore it can suppress any voice headquarters to someone who had a relationship For over two months, Deir al-Zor has been subject to a systematic military campaign under the pretext that may rise in the face of the interests of these with ISIS fighters. of eliminating ISIS. The regime’s military forces and the militias from Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran bodies. Proof of what I say is that Russia has an- have participated together under the cover of a joint Russian-. The Syrian Democratic nounced the death of about 40 officers of differ- Forces (SDF), who are supported by the US-led Coalition, have also participated. ent military ranks, whereas the number is hundreds, according to western and Syrian sources and that In September, the NGO Justice for Life recorded over 400 airstrikes by the regime’s air force and its those who were killed were from the elite Russian Russian ally, and more than 100 airstrikes by the US-led coalition air force, mostly targeting civilian This is how the race between the forces.” communities. The NGO documented that 69 civilians were killed and hundreds were wounded, includ- Russians and the Americans in Others believe that the Syrian opposition parties ing women and children. Deir El-Zor looks; it is a last minute should reveal the real figures of the Russian military competition, with each side vying who were killed. The belief is that if the deaths are The journey of misery boats which are fashioned from ISIS. Smugglers often leave inter- documented and submitted to Russian public opin- damaged iron salvaged from the nally displaced people (IDPs) 5-8 to see who can gain greater geo- The tragic reality in the country’s ion, with time it could push popular opinion against bridges connecting the two banks kilometres away from the first SDF graphic influence and win the most rural areas has led tens of thou- the Russian military intervention. Proponents of this of the river, destroyed by airstrikes. checkpoint, forcing them walk sands to flee their homes to areas political points cite that recent polls indicate a low desire on the this distance on foot. Upon arriv- under SDF control, forcing them Even in their journey across the part of the Russian people to participate in military al at the checkpoint, the security to embark on a journey as difficult river, civilians cannot escape the operations in Syria. The most recent poll was con- guards begin their random inspec- as life under shelling. regime’s air force, as they target ducted by Levada Center and showed that about 30 tions, yet they have no equipment these waters with air raids on a percent of those polled support the continuation of The journey of displacement from to detect weapons and explosives. The incident provoked widespread public debate in daily basis. Entire families have military intervention, while 49 percent oppose it. the rural areas of Deir al-Zor, in- Russia, prompting many to wonder about the rea- been killed while attempting to Then, SDF cars arrive to move the cluding Mayadeen, Abu Kamal sons for, and feasibility of, the Russian presence in In the midst of this convoluted picture, Deir al-Zor cross, their blood mixing with the IDPs to another location. They are and Muhsin, begins with smug- Syria, which is coming at a high cost. Amid the mis- appears to be held hostage to the whims of the water of the nearby river. moved to the Shadada area, which glers. People pay large amounts of information spread by the Russian government are larger forces at work. While this is all ongoing, the is in Hasakah province, about 70 money to escape without crossing After reaching the other side, the claims that the military participation is limited to the political and military realities are that international kilometres from the first check- ISIS-held territory, until they reach next dangerous stage of the jour- air force, a claim which has long been made, since parties have come to control all of the Syrian par- point. After reaching Al-Sadd refu- the eastern bank of the Euphra- ney begins; walking on bumpy the USSR war in Afghanistan. The facts, however, ticipants, both in the regime and in the opposition. gee camp in the south of Hasakah, tes River. They cross the river by roads across landmines left by indicate that there is a large Russian ground force. SDF members ask the IDPs to pay

8 9 the driver 28,000 Syrian Pounds, mattresses, blankets and food, Abu Najim said, “The presence or cases, it is not approved without despite promising that the trans- delivered by land or airlift to Qa- absence of medical staff makes no strong justification. Secondly, by portation will be free. mishli Airport, under the supervi- difference. There is no adequate having a sponsor with the same sion of the regime forces and Rus- care provided, there is no radiol- last name and address, who pro- When the IDPs first arrive to the sian officers. ogy (X-ray) equipment or modern cesses the transaction with the camp, they have to stand in long tools. If somebody is sick inside SDF authorities. The sponsor must queues to register their names the camp, they are more likely to pay 50-100,000 Syrian Pounds as and hand over their identity pa- Health status die than find a hospital or a doc- a bribe. Thirdly, and the option pers to the administration. There are medical staff from the tor.” most often used, is through brib- Abu Khaled, 43 years old from Al- ing somebody inside the camp Syrian Arab Red Crescent and Mé- “A few days ago,” continued Abu Muhsin, said, “What is the reason who is under the supervision of The tragedy of children many on airplanes, which shows decins Sans Frontières (MSF/Doc- Najim, “a baby was stung on his to hand over all of our identity pa- the camp’s leadership. their concern about the countries tors Without Borders) in the camp, foot by a scorpion and he found Children fleeing from ISIS - con pers? If there are people among that bomb their areas. However, who work daily until 4:00 pm. After no one to help him. One of his rel- Mustafa al-Zu’bi told Suwar Mag- trolled areas suffer from multiple us affiliated with ISIS, they already many people are ignorant of the that time, there are no emergency atives used a sharp object to open azine, “After paying 200,000 Syrian psychological traumas. This is a have their names and can pursue names of the countries involved in teams and it is prohibited to leave the sting to remove the poison Pounds, I left the camp by a mili- result of witnessing heavy shell- them without taking our personal the international coalition against the camp legally in emergency and save his life, leaving him with tary vehicle belonging to the SDF. ing by the US-led coalition, which papers. The camp is like a deten- ISIS. The children try to show their cases. If there is an emergency, a scar that remained bleeding un- We were transferred to a house is more violent than the bombing tion centre - once you are in you strength and physical skills, and residents are forced to pay bribes til the baby died”. in Ajaja village. There is coordina- from the regime because of its cannot leave because all of your they use wooden weapons like to the guards, or escape the camp tion between the smugglers and high density and use of modern official documents are in their Om Mohammed (the mother of swords and knives while playing, illegally in order to go to nearby the owners of the houses we are weapons. possession.” Mohammed), from the area of which resemble what was used hospitals. transferred to. One night’s rent Mayadeen, said, “As a result of the “The most common psychologi- by ISIS in their sentences against The IDPs are then given a tent, and costs 25,000 Syrian Pounds.” There is a lack of basic health in lack of cleanliness in the camp, lice cal illnesses include excessive vio- civilians. The girls appear terri- must wait again in long queues to the camp; there are no bathrooms, spread widely, as well as scabies “To get your personal papers be- lence, phobias, low concentration, fied when they hear the -shoot receive mattresses, blankets and a limited drinking water, very poor and gastrointestinal diseases and fore leaving the camp, you have to and trauma resulting from the loss ing and shelling, and try to prove simple food basket, all organized sanitation, and no garbage dis- other sicknesses from the cold. pay $100 US Dollars to one of the of a parent,” says Dima, a teacher themselves through home games by the (local police) forces posal. There have been several attempt- members of the SDF in the camp.” in Aleppo’s northern countryside. and study, and through their be- of the SDF. ed suicides among women”. She haviour and appearance.” “Those who want to go to re- After that, IDPs move to Raqqa She adds, “The children who come “As we stood in those queues, we added, “If you need medicine for strooms have to walk about 3 kilo- province through the camps of from ISIS controlled areas show In conjunction with the current were subjected to various kinds of a headache, you have to secretly metres, otherwise they have to use Ain Al-Eissa, Manbj and Bab. more violent reactions than oth- events, activists have launched a insults and swear words. Some- ask the camp administrators. In the open land as toilets. The camp Some of them settle down in areas ers, as a result of what they saw. media campaign called Holocaust times we were beaten by Kalash- the pharmacy it costs 100 Syrian administration provides some wa- under the control of the Euphrates This is more commonly found in Deir al-Zor, which sheds light on nikovs and kicked with feet,” says Pounds, whereas they will take ter, but does not meet the daily Shield Forces. boys rather than girls because ISIS the massacres witnessed by the Mustafa al-Zu’bi, a former camp needs of even 10 per cent of the 1,000 Pounds from us and we tries to spread the culture of jihad city at the hands of the conflict. resident. Those wishing to go to Turkey ille- camp. In total, there are more than won’t get the medicine for two among the boys in the communi- gally travel to the area, where Human rights organizations sent The camp is managed directly by 20,000 people living in over 4,000 days.” ty, unlike the girls who they force they then have to pass through an urgent message to the Secre- the officers and members of the tents. Those who want to take a to stay at home.” the Kurdish self-administration tary-General of the UN, Antonio SDF administration and its security shower must do so in their own checkpoints, each of which im- “This is reflected in the drawings Gutiérrez, demanding the need to services. The United Nations (UN), tent or in the lake close to the Exit from the camp poses a toll for their passage. They of children. They draw blood, put pressure on parties involved the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the area, which resembles a polluted Those who want to leave the camp reach the villages and towns of and the planes that used to tar- in the conflict in order to prevent Norwegian Refugee Council and swamp,” Mustafa al-Zu’bi told Su- have three options. Firstly, by reg- Idlib, where they search again for get them. Some of them draw the atrocities against civilians. other international organizations war Magazine. istering for a health exit request in smugglers to take them to Turkey. flags of America, France and Ger- provide necessities such as tents, order to go to hospitals. In most

10 11 Dialogues Dialogues

Interview with Riad Hammoud Darar Sheikh Riad, as he is usually called, has been involved in political activism for a long time and contributed to the Committees of Civil Society in 2000. The Committees of Civil Society was a was a group of Syrian artists, There will be fighting and dialogue between the borders of professors, writers, poets, actors and intellectuals who published a manifesto calling for reforms such as the release of political prisoners and freedom of association and press, just three months after Bashar al-Assad Useful Syria, Democratic Syria, and Fundamentalist Syria took over the presidency. In addition, Riad was one of the signatories to the 1,000 Manifesto, which was published in June 2000 and signed by a thousand Syrian intellectuals and politicians, and which demanded a range of rights as well as the liberalization of the political system. Following that he became a member of “The concept of the Democratic Nation is a political pre- the subsequent subcommittee of the Committees of Civil Society with Fayez Sarah, Ali Abdullah, Hazem Na- har, Samir Nashar, , Samira Khalil and other opposition figures. During his activism, he was scription that involves the coexistence of the people in the imprisoned by the Syrian regime for five years and was released in 2010. During the early phase of the Syrian Middle East.” uprising, he became a founding member of the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change (NCC), a Syrian opposition bloc. Riad Darar became one of the major figures in the Syrian opposition. He resigned from the NCC in August 2014.

Suwar Magazine interview with Riad Hammoud Darar, Riad is a moderate cleric and at the same time an open-minded politician who believes in democracy.

a Syrian opposition political and social activist and author On February 25, 2017, during the second conference of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), in the al-Ma- likiyah area in northeastern Syria, Riad Darar was elected as the co-leader of the SDC. This has created a from Deir Ezzor. debate among Syrians, where some have opposed Riad’s affiliation with this body as they consider it to be under control of the , and others have accused him of treason. The SDC is the political wing of the Kurdish-dominated (SDF). Both umbrella organizations have been created by Interviewer: Sardar Mallah Darwish the de facto autonomous Democratic Federation of Northern Syria (DFNS). They are working towards the implementation of a secular, democratic and federalist system for all of Syria. Riad Hammoud Dara After the city of Raqqa has been spond to any attack against them. is a moderate Muslim and a liberated from ISIS, the focus is Our forces (SDF (have moved to- Syrian opposition political and shifting to your hometown Deir wards Deir Ezzor at the request of social activist and author. He was Ezzor, which is still under ISIS the city’s liberal residents, who re- control. With the advance of the ject any presence by the Syrian re- born in Deir Ezzor city in 1954. He Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), gime in their areas unless agree- received a bachelor›s degree in Arabic which includes the Deir Ezzor Mil- ments are reached, which would language, and became a preacher itary Council from the north and ensure that the objectives of the the Syrian regime, backed by its revolution are achieved. These and an imam at a mosque in Deir Russian ally, from the south, what objectives are freedom and digni- Ezzor. He currently lives in is the fate of Deir Ezzor in the fu- ty, and the elimination of extrem- Austria. ture? Will these different military ist groups as well as their radical that have marred the fate of the alliances ignite a war as a result of ideology. The residents of Deir Ez- revolution, deviated it from its their fierce competition for influ- zor believe that the Assad regime worthy goals, and distorted the ence over Deir Ezzor after ISIS is was the reason for the expansion ideal image of Islam. The race to taken out of the city? of these extremists groups. Today, control these eastern areas is the the regime is seeking to re-estab- result of each party’s desire to The SDF avoids confrontation with lish its control at a time when the achieve its goals and therefore the Syrian regime, but they will re- SDF are fighting extremist groups clashes may occur.

12 13 Dialogues Dialogues

In your view, you have earlier con- on democratic principles such as of the other. war, which occurred primarily be- sidered that there are two political freedom, equality, social justice, cause of the extreme centralized In Syria, the ‘Syrian Democratic projects in Syria. One is the ‘Na- natural development, voluntary state that is led by one party and Nation’ can be the collective name tional State Project’ and the other participation, and peaceful reso- an authoritarian family. The fed- that unites every national, sectari- is the ‘Democratic Nation Project’, lution of issues through dialogue, eral project is one of decentral- an, religious or ethnic group. Plu- which you have described as the discussion, as well as analysis and ization that establishes a genuine ralism and acceptance of differ- foundation for building an orga- self-assessment. It is an alterna- democratic system and effective ences are the basis of the union of nized moral and political society tive theory to capitalist moderni- participatory citizenship. It relies this nation. The activation of local based on the principle of diversity ty, which represents the culture of on democratic administrations administrations and the decen- and multiculturalism. Could you daily consumption, moral decay through which people, who have tralization of authority over re- explain to us the concept of the and social disintegration stem- the necessary skills and knowl- gions, cities and sub-districts are Democratic Nation? How can this ming from the practices of the edge, can practice politics in the such ideas are only interested in as an organized body, which was one of the requirements of plu- concept ensure the identity of all current world order of nationalist places they are located whether the return of authoritarian rule as able to protect its areas, and dis- ralism and democracy. Further- Syrian cultures, nationalities and ideology, capital and industrial- that be in regions, cities, areas or a system and form of opposition. tance itself from revolutionary more, the ability of all segments sects? ism. local neighborhoods. It is the or- slogans that do not reflect in any of society to express themselves According to the draft of the fed- ganizational structure of a collec- way the aspirations of the popu- The concept of the ‘Democratic The ‘Democratic Nation Project’ and demand their needs through eralist idea, the misconception of tive life that aims to develop a so- lation. Nation’ is a political prescription is represented by the democratic political parties and organizations separation will cease to exist, and ciety, where individuals have the that involves the coexistence of state, which means that people is one of the basic characteristics there will be no need to divide The PYD, has constantly been de- power and ability to make deci- the people in the Middle East. It direct their efforts towards orga- of peaceful democratic politics. as long as the Syrian Democratic veloping its internal systems and sions and the freedom to express also requires that people of this nizing the society without preju- Hence the democratic nation Nation is the collective name that mechanisms, and has made sac- themselves. In such a system the region, who have never lived in dice to major political issues and guarantees the representation of has enough space to include any rifices to people irrespective of power of the central authority is peace, manage their interests without destroying the state in- all sects, cultures and nationali- national, sectarian, religious or their backgrounds or affiliations. distributed over all Syrian regions away from the nation-state con- stitutions. Instead, the formation ties, and it represents the princi- ethnic dimension. It participated in policy-making and cities, meaning that each city flicts that have developed around of the democratic social system ples and morale of the democrat- and worked with people to de- and region becomes a place of them. The aim is to break from creates the social will capable of ic system. velop a project that ensures the democratic politics through local the confines of the nation state forcing the state to allow society There is an accusation that your return of life for the whole of Syr- councils and municipalities, where and the concept of nationalism, to impose its will on state institu- council is under the control of the ia. This is the democratic federal- the people directly express their which have been the main rea- tions. In doing so the state institu- You chair the Syrian Democratic Democratic Union Party (PYD). ism project - through which the needs, and make their own deci- son for the most intractable in- tions become coordinating bod- Council (SDC), which has adopt- Many Syrians believe that the re- dominance of a central authority sion and solve their own issues. In ternal and intra-state conflicts in ies that do not intervene in the ed the idea of . To what gion is governed by one party that over the decision and resources this sense, democratic self-man- the region, and move towards economic, social, cultural and po- extent can the idea of federalism controls the Kurdish self-admin- of all Syrians will be prevented agement is the management of a new system of governance. In litical life of its citizens, but rather succeed in Syria, knowing that istrated areas. How will you con- and stopped. This will enable the the people and society by its own Syria, the project of democrat- their roles are limited to the area there is a diverse group of Syrian solidate pluralism that preserves people of the regions to man- self, and the ability of this society ic civilization can form a modern of public services. people who hold it to be a project democracy, and how will you face age themselves, but this does to guide itself and resolve its own culture and create the democratic that would involve separation of the accusation by showing that not prevent the central authority The concept of a democratic na- issues. nation through self-management, the country? one party does not monopolize from contributing to the strate- tion is based on the principle of which is not aimed at destroying The federal project is the con- the political arena? gic policies and administrations. “unity in diversity”. Meaning that Political terminologies are gener- the state institution and building crete expression of the practical, There will be no dominance, but different cultures, religions, - lan ally judged by different perspec- As a result of the Syrian crises a new one on its ruins. Rather, it day-to-day functioning of the a mechanism of organized think- guages, nationalities, races and tives. We believe that federalism the trend towards armament and aims to build a new moral, polit- democratic homeland and dem- ing that draws policies. And it has sects can coexist within a union, in is for the areas that have been therefore dependence on external ical, and organized society based ocratic politics. Those who reject been successful so far despite the which no one denies the existence divided as a result of the ongoing forces has made the PYD emerge

14 15 Dialogues Dialogues

obstacles and mistakes that can Formulating administrative poli- Syrian opposition has succeeded fail. Democracy will be the solu- sition was not able to deal with “Democratic Syria” and “Funda- be addressed through discussion, cies is not within the competence in realizing, even partially, the ob- tion in form and content. At least such dangerous developments for mentalist Syria.” by virtue of the fact that we are of the United States nor is it one jectives of the Syrian revolution, there is a democratic experience two reasons; it lacks experience in not really a state system but the of its objectives. The U.S. doesn’t and where do you see the future in the north of Syria, which will be the field of political work, and is forces of change in the face of a want to interfere with adminis- of this opposition? a pilot from which the policies of fragmented with no ability to col- Your religious experience confirms deteriorating reality. trative matters. The U.S. seeks to the next phase may be drawn. lectively act. This has pushed the that you believe in and The Syrian opposition has never achieve a common goal which is opposition to continue with its democracy. Everyone knows that succeeded in achieving the ob- combating terrorism. Therefore, it experimental work, which led to extreme religious ideologies and jectives of the Syrian revolution. It Did you know that there are those accepts cooperation and allianc- In your opinion, what are the main many disappointments and fail- radical forces have invaded Syria has failed the Syrian people. I do who accuse you of betrayal be- es with forces seeking to achieve factors that have forced the Syrian ures; they even contributed to through external actors, trends not see any future for them. The cause you have joined the SDC? the same goal. As a result, the revolution to deviate from its ob- re-installing the Assad regime be- and factions that adopt Islamic Syrian opposition is floundering How do you face such an accusa- U.S. is committed to coordination jectives, and what do Syrians have cause of their lack of experience. approaches. This has further com- and has become like a puppet in tion? with the forces working on that to do to protect their revolution plicated the Syrian issue. In your the hands of the international and objective and demands greater in order to build a better future? opinion, where will this situation This is not the first time I have regional fractions. New forces and transparency from administration How do you see Syria in the next take the Syrian state? How dan- been accused by superficial peo- parties must emerge which will The Syrian revolution began in a bodies in order to trust its goals. stage? gerous is this jihadist ideology, ple with rigid minds. There is al- adopt a Syrian political approach very peaceful and civilized man- This is the secret of our relation- and how can it be uprooted? ways a national interest and when away from ideological thinking, ner. But it was diverted from its Terrorist groups such as ISIS will ship. The U.S. backs recently es- I am convinced of it I follow it with- and which will develop their goals direction by a counter-revolution fall apart just like the Taliban in The jihadist ideology has no fu- tablished local councils in the lib- out looking back. I did so when I in order to achieve peace and led by two parties: the Assad re- Afghanistan, with some of its ture in Syria. But there is no ap- erated areas to provide support stood on platforms and spoke in counter extremism. Nationalism gime on the one hand, by push- members joining other factions, propriate alternative. The forces for the working forces as well as an enlightened language, even in its traditional form has failed ing it towards militarization, and including al-Nusra Front. After on the ground are inadequate. civilians, and to be able to rebuild though preachers attacked me miserably, in addition to the fact by releasing extremist detainees the eradication of terrorism as The future situation will be dic- and rehabilitate the freed areas. and incited the regime to prevent that the socialist and religious na- from prisons to radicalize the di- currently represented by ISIS, tated by international forces as a This requires us to establish well me from speaking publically. tionalist approach and ideology rection of the revolution, and the there will remain three strong fait accompli. The secular solution trained departments capable of have also failed. Any attempt to on the other hand by Political Is- parties: the Syrian regime and its must have a sufficient number of Even in politics, I still follow my accommodating developments. re-adopt one of these approach- lam. By Political Islam, I mean that Russian and Iranian allies as well supporters and organized forces. intuition, which is inspired by Syr- es in the next phase is just a new multiple individuals and groups as its multiple militias; The Syri- A proper definition of secularism ian pioneers whose priorities have failure. who adopted the concept of Is- an Democratic Forces backed by and the assertion that secular- always been to unite Syrians. My You have a long history of polit- lamism have subjugated the Syr- the United States; and the mili- ism does not mean ‘anti-religion’ concept of citizenship is a univer- ical action against the Syrian re- ian revolution to external forces, tary factions supported by Turkey, require a concerted and real ef- sal one in which all citizens are gime. You have contributed to Where are those mottos now that and allowed the revolution to be with Russian approval, which have fort by the media, seminars and equal. the Committees of Civil Society called for democracy and the end controlled by many parties that political representation in the Syr- conferences so that the fear will since 2000. And you were present of tyranny at the beginning of the have no interest in the success of ian Interim Government as well disappear from the minds of or- when The Declaration Syrian revolution? the revolution. The events then as the Syrian National Coalition. dinary people and they may start There is an explicit support for was signed on October 16, 2005. evolved into a sectarian conflict In the future there will be further to accept it. This needs both con- SDF by the US-led coalition in the In addition, you were a founding Mottos don’t disappear as they between the conflicting groups. war and negotiations between the siderable time and effort. fight against terrorism. Howev- member of the National Coordi- are the needs and demands ex- Furthermore, the Syrian oppo- different forces in “Useful Syria”, er, there is no American support nation Committee for Democrat- pressed by claimants at the time for the SDC as well as federalism. ic Change (NCC). In August 2014, of need. Those claimants may not What is your opinion on this? you resigned from the NCC due to have the ability or the capacity to 1. The is a secular umbrella opposition coalition named after a statement drafted in 2005 the lack of unity. Do you think the achieve their demands, so they by numerous opposition groups and individuals demanding a multiparty democracy in Syria.

16 17 Point of View Point of View

Russia continued its involvement Geneva and the Road to a Political Solution in the conflict, becoming both a participant and a referee by pre- Bassam Safar venting the collapse of the regime in Damascus. Through a field analysis, we found that the armed It took a long time for the opposition once controlled more than 70 percent of Syria, but the Due to the reality on the ground in Syria, international forces worked to conflicting parties in Syria Russian intervention reduced that push the conflict toward negotiations through the use international res- control to about 50 percent. With to be convinced that it was olutions. The first Geneva Communique, International Resolution 2254, Russia and the Assad regime fa- not possible to resolve the and other international resolutions facilitate access to the negotiating vored by their superior air power, process, aiding in a political resolution through the appointment of a conflict in the Syrian revo- negotiations based on the Gene- Special Envoy to the Syrian issue. That attempt at a political solution lution by force of arms, and va Communique became one of continued with the appointments of Special Envoy Lakhdar Al-Ibrahimi, few significant means to reach a they could not defeat one , and Staffan de Mistura who each hoped to succeed where political settlement. another with force alone. his predecessors failed. The opposition suffered a great deal on the representative side until the conference in Vienna in October of 2015. That conference sought to find a political solution, other opposition groups in the fu- that efforts to reach a unified -na and mandated that Saudi Ara- ture. tional government would be best served doing so under his leader- bia host the conference, Russia is also operating through ship without going through the where the revolutionary forces the Astana Conference, where, process of political transition. and the political opposition would along with regional parties Iran meet with a number of military and Turkey, it has sought to ad- factions and the High Negotiation dress the issue of cease-fires in One step forward, one step Committee (HNC). The HNC is not many Syrian areas, the exchange back a new political body in the arena of abductees between the regime of the Syrian political opposition, and military factions, and political With seemingly every round of but is instead a reorganized form detainees. negotiations, the Syrian conflict of some main figures in the op- witnesses a high-level military However, the negotiation pro- position whose goal is to achieve escalation that pushes the limits cess in both Astana and Geneva a political solution according to of embarrassment for the nego- is still at the beginning of a long the Geneva Communique. How- tiating delegation and the HNC, journey. At the conferences the ever, Russia does not recognize threatening to upend their par- regime shows a willingness to ne- the HNC as the sole representa- ticipation in the negotiating pro- gotiate a political solution, while tive of the Syrian opposition, and cess. The process was suspended on the ground it is working to- have therefore added the “Mos- in the third round of negotiations, ward a military victory. Problem- cow and Cairo” platforms through and when the parties returned for atically, Assad has also declared UN resolution 2254, and may add negotiations in the fourth round,

18 19 Point of View Point of View

the HNC and its delegation decid- There was a renewed sixth round tional advisory meetings in Gene- The current state of negotiations Through these commit- ed not to stop the process again, of talks in Astana, in which the va in mid-June of this year. is focused on balance and achiev- tees, the platforms of Moscow no matter the circumstances. The Russian side proposed a draft ing dialogue. Any means to fa- The United Nations and Cairo are participating, along delegation was determined to constitution to impose on the cilitate discussion and, hopeful- with the delegation of the HNC, Reality and negotiating ambi- now serves the role of discuss three of the baskets (1), Geneva negotiations. De Mistu- ly, create some sort of balanced in an attempt to create a joint tion facilitator, attempting including the political transition ra and his team submitted the solution that levies power as close to find balance with committee of all opposition del- basket, with Special Envoy de Mis- constitution for consideration by Regional powers have been able to the middle ground as possible egations to discuss technical is- tura, as the regime’s delegation the technical advisory commit- to reach a level of understanding is ideal. Following the protocol the desires of the US sues. This does not eliminate the insisted upon adding a terrorism tee focusing on issues related to on the Syrian issue, specifically in set out by Security Council Reso- and Russia, and deci- existence of different delegations basket to the talks. the transitional period, but it was regard to Astana. The main pow- lution 2254 in 2015, the focus is pher what that means independent of each other. How- reportedly rejected by both del- ers in Geneva, however, did not on building confidence among all ever, it does open a future path Russia worked to promote the for the broader region egations. Meanwhile, the delega- advance the issues with the same the parties, and includes gaining toward forming a single delega- idea of Astana being the alterna- as a whole tion for the regime worked under expediency as they did in Astana, unrestricted access to humanitar- tion to negotiate with the Syrian tive to the Geneva negotiations. the table to hand over the names due to the fact that the United ian aid and the release of detain- regime. However, the position of the HNC of its team to the Constitutional States is one of the major spon- ees. However, there are still sig- and its delegation is that Astana Finally, the negotiating process, Advisory Committee (CAC). The sors in the negotiating process nificant disagreements between is only geared toward a ceasefire under a framework of finding a powers of this advisory commit- and the level of US understand- the parties regarding the fate of between the military factions and political solution, has a funda- tee were the subject of debate ing is not currently up to par. The Bashar al-Assad during and after the regime. The HNC instead at- must be achieved in order for the mental goal of stopping the war among the negotiating delega- United Nations now serves the the transitional period. tempted to shift the focus to the negotiations in Geneva to contin- and beginning the transitional tion and the HNC. The question role of facilitator, attempting to four baskets during its discussion Despite international consensus ue. Therefore, the process at work phase. The many sides see differ- was whether or not it is autho- find balance with the desires of with de Mistura and his team. It to support the momentum of the in Geneva is essential in order to ent priorities in this ultimate goal, rized to approve the results of the the US and Russia, and decipher sought to begin working on the diplomatic political process, a cer- achieve a mechanism for the im- whether it be creating a unified work on the interim constitution what that means for the broader basket of political transition and tain settlement between parties plementation of Resolution 2254. national government, fighting or the constitutional declaration. region as a whole. its components, yet the dele- This track is a decision-making terror groups such as ISIS, Nus- gation representing the regime The answer came in the form of a tool. The essence of Resolution ra, and others, or other elements. pushed back, insisting on discuss- proposal that intersects with the 2254 is the Syrian-to-Syrian nego- The focus of the opposition, the ing the terrorism basket. Both opposition delegation and the re- tiations, which start and end at a regime, and international actors baskets were discussed with de gime delegation. It was submit- fixed time, lasting six months, yet such as the U.S. is varied, but it Mistura and his team, with each ted to de Mistura and his team there is still no start date. In fact, must be concentrated in order delegation setting out what it so that they could decide if it is there is no specific timeline in As- to make the negotiation process wanted to see addressed in them. worth negotiating. After the final tana or Geneva. There is, however, fruitful. Despite what might be seen as meetings of the HNC in Riyadh, still time for the negotiation pro- Currently the Russians and Amer- incongruences in goals, there ap- the committee and its delega- cess, as the confidence-building icans are working on reaching a pears to have been some progress tion submitted the names of the process and its proposed mea- settlement. The question is, will in the fifth round of negotiations, Constitutional Technical Advisory sures have yet to begin. Following that come anytime soon? away from media outlets. Group, and it began its constitu- confirmation of what was agreed upon in the technical committees in mid-June 2017, Geneva will 1. In an effort to provide forward momentum to the talks, Special Envoy de take on a new form as the negoti- Mistura outlined four ‘baskets’ of topics around which discussions could be centered. The four baskets are: governance and political transition, consti- ations begin anew, which may fa- tution, elections and counterterrorism. cilitate the search for a consensus.

20 21 The rhythm of the lens The rhythm of the lens

Photo by: Diar Ma’ou - Orthodox church - Ras Al Ain

Photo by: Sultan Sultan - Menbej

Photo by: Malek Rajab -

Photo by: Anas Al Kholi - Damascus

22 23 Reports and Investigations Reports and Investigations

with Daraa, kidnappings and at- in the case of 15-year-old Shadi tacks on villages are increasing al-Tawil his captors demanded dramatically. From the east, the 100 million Syrian Pounds. How- Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ever, his family refused to pay. (ISIS) continues to attack villages Afterwards the kidnappers, who inhabited only by women, chil- were from the village of Mjadil dren, the elderly and a few young in the northwestern countryside Syrian men fleeing military -ser of Sweida, threatened to hand vice. All the while the Syrian re- the child over to Bedouin tribes. gime rules Sweida city as well as Information confirmed that the its main areas. child is in the hands of the Bed- ouin. In response, the child’s fam- ily seized cars owned by persons The Situation in Sweida is Heating Up Bermuda Triangle affiliated with the captors’ family, The city of Sweida is in a state of the Shilghin, in the city of Shah- Nidal Yousef organized chaos. There are kid- ba. A number of Shilghin family napping gangs using mafia-like members were also kidnapped, tactics with knowledge of Syria’s but were later released after the The Guillotine residents of the villagers of Mjadil Proliferation of with intimate knowledge of Syria’s security system. In addition, there kidnapping gangs The residents of Sweida city have are those who want to use this expelled the kidnapping gang. security apparatus. always maintained good relations instability to increase their social with the surrounding area. Sweida influence over the city’s 350,000 Willful Blindness More than 1.3 billion Syrian pounds paid in ransoms to kidnapping walks a tightrope between differ- residents. Therefore, and for all ent powers. Sweida Governorate the aforementioned reasons, the According to Ghassan Abdelhay, a gangs. borders Jordan to the south, op- city has become the Bermuda Tri- lawyer, there are two types of kid- position-held Daraa Governorate angle of Syria, from which those nappings. The first is led by sep- Suwar Magazine has documented gangs which operate in broad daylight. to the west, and the contested who manage to leave are consid- arate gangs in which rich family areas of Rural Damascus Gover- ered lucky. members are the targets for finan- norate that surround Damascus cial extortion. The second occurs According to Suwar Magazine’s city. Sweida has been held by with these gangs working with A terrible trinity of hooliganism, fear and kidnapping surround the city of Sweida, and are pushing it to the sources the amount of ransoms the regime throughout the war. the kidnapping gangs of Bedou- brink of total collapse. The above are just some headlines that summarize the overall situation in the city paid in the city has exceeded The city distanced itself from the in tribes living on the outskirts of inhabited by Syria’s Druze minority. Hooliganism in the conventional sense is not the main cause of terror 1.3 billion Syrian Pounds. These war, preferring to maintain its the city or in collusion with per- in Sweida, but the calm before the storm that threatens to tear down city. amounts are increasing on a dai- neutrality. However, those who sons from the city of Daraa, to ly basis. Not a single day passes call themselves the leaders of the extort money. In rare cases there in the city without a documented revolution are convinced that the are also deals to negotiate the ex- It was not surprising that the Syrian regime’s Prime Minister Imad Khamis, canceled his visit to Sweida, kidnapping incident of a young city stands on the brink of explod- change of prisoners with the Syri- which had been scheduled for August 10, 2017. This was because the security delegation sent to investi- man or girl, many of whom belong ing into widespread violence due an regime. Abdelhay believes that gate the general situation in the city the day before the visit was held by a group of young men near the to wealthy families. The ransom to the escalating crimes that are these types of kidnappings reflect Baath party building in the city, prompting security forces to intervene and release the delegation. This demand starts at 10 million Syrian choking the city. the tragic situation to which com- situation, among others, reflects the chaos in Sweida city, which is still considered far from the frontlines Pounds per person but often in- munities in Sweida and Daraa as of the war. From the city’s western borders creases significantly. For example,

24 25 Reports and Investigations

well Bedouin in surrounding ar- usually react harshly to such be- mer Secretary of the Arab Social- eas, have descended. People have havior; however, in this case they ist Ba’ath party branch in Sweida, started to devalue the principle of have remained silent. Instead, Shibli Jnood, in September 2015. good relations. they publically broadcast through He was kidnapped while he was their media that directives from on the way to his office in the city Sweida is witnessing a fateful bat- Damascus had recommended and was later found dead. The tle to preserve its identity and dealing with the matter wisely second was the kidnapping of Dr. family ties. Although the city’s and quietly and to avoid the use Samah Qutaish from the Sweida inhabitants are known to be tol- of force. hospital, in May 2017. erant and committed to noble traditions, they have now begun to wonder why these gangs have The SnakeHead “there are those who emerged from their city in the first want to use this instabili- 35 kilometers south of Sweida. Sweida city near the Syrian-Jor- ers. These are the names that place; why the families behind Activist Allam Abudaqa believes ty to increase their social Jnood’s private doctor Atef Malak danian border. According to the Suwar Magazine has managed to them are trying to cover their that there is clear collusion be- was arrested on charges of having narrative, they were killed in a document: shameful acts; and why the Syrian tween the regime, especially the influence over the city’s military security branch of its se- examined soldiers twice at the re- taxi while they were on the way regime is turning a blind eye to 350,000 residents. Raed Baraka, the leader curity apparatus headed by Brig- quest of his captors, but the ques- to visit a patient with cancer in this chaos. Therefore, and for allthe 1 of the “Easar Al Jabal” adier General Wafiq Nasser who tion that hasn’t been answered Sweida Hospital. But the road aforementioned reasons, gang. is also known as the SnakeHead, yet is, who were the kidnappers of was blocked with stones and they the city has become the the former Secretary of the Arab were shot. The attack killed the Hadi Garzaldin of the The Kidnapping of Soldiers and the social groups that seek 2 to ignite the city so that it can Bermuda Triangle of Socialist Baath party branch in taxi driver and four women, one Shahba gang. The arrest of the political activist only be secured under the Syri- Sweida? of whom was pregnant. This hei- Gobran Murad more than two Syria, from which those The gang of Mohammed an regime’s command. Abudaqa nous crime stirred the family of months ago has particularly dis- who manage to leave are 3 Saleh, Naseem Al-Zaher explains, “The SnakeHead is the the victims and they decided to turbed the city of Sweida; Murad, and Safwan al-Hamidi. actual ruler of Sweida, and these considered Torching of Houses take revenge. Consequently, they who participated in multiple mil- The gang of Rajwan are all just his games and manip- Generally, the Bedouin living in burned Bedouin houses in the vil- itary operations alongside Syrian al-Shami, Reyanbuzin Al- ulations. Everyone knows that Sweida are the first to be accused lage of Zebin without discrimina- rebels, was arrested by the Syrian In the case of Qutaish, her ab- 4 din, Safwan Slam Azam, whatever happens in the city oc- of kidnapping or robbery. These tion as to whether they were the security authorities in the city. The ductor was found to be a young Mustafa Azzam and Enad curs with his knowledge and ac- accusations are not far from the participants in the killing or not. arrest of Murad led to discontent man from Sweida named Alaa Azam. cording to his plans. The aim is to truth according to the activist among the pro-revolutionary par- Nakad. The abduction was car- force people to remain silent and Omar Balan, who confirms that The gang of Rajawan ties in Sweida. In response, they ried out with the participation of support the regime by provoking many documented incidents Kidnapping Gangs Abu Zinaldin, Ali al-Sha- abducted soldiers and officials a group of young men and wom- terror, sedition and chaos.” show that the Bedouin are the As a result of the security chaos mi, Yaser al-Tarodi, working in Sweida. This incident en working as kidnappers. The perpetrators of such crimes, es- in Sweida, random acts of hooli- 5 Wadia Abou Hsan, Munir marks an important turning point, arrest of the offender had ended pecially in areas in the western ganism have developed into or- al-Hamidi, Kamil Alab- reflecting the severe lack of - har the speculation. However, Suwar Two Central Issues countryside of the city in the vil- ganized gangs of robbery, loot- dullah and Fadi al-Mi- mony between the regime and Magazine was unable to obtain lages of Araa and Dama. ing, and kidnapping. They rob hithawi. the city’s residents. Despite the many kidnappings in further details regarding the pen- people’s properties and kidnap Sweida, the city has been deeply alty imposed on the kidnappers. Last July, members of the al-Mu- The gang of Danny Anis The case further developed after them in return for ransoms. These stirred because of two kidnapping The case of Shibli Jnood’s ab- haithawi family were killed on Amer, Nawras Zidan al- the Sweida police headquarters gangs have become famous, with 6 incidents in particular. The first duction remains a mystery. His the road between the villages of Aour and Saleh Akef al was attacked. The security forces well-known names and lead- was the kidnapping of the for- car was found burned in Salkhad, Baka and Zebin in the south of Aoar.

26 27 Reports and Investigations Reports and Investigations

In addition, the following names the establishment of temporary has become more common, with nal acts. Since the assassination of kidnapping, killing, robbery, theft, Committee has demanded the of people participating in gangs checkpoints under the command cycles of kidnapping and count- Sheikh Wahid al-Balous, a prom- smuggling, drug trafficking and all issuance of orders to control all have been documented: Riad Abu of the regime, especially on the er-kidnapping. For example, in inent political and spiritual lead- types of abuse that are happening irregularities and to hold account- Sharhan, Siraj Gharaz al-Din, Wis- Damascus-Sweida highway and exchange for an abducted mem- er of Syria’s Druze community in the city. In front of authorities, able those officials responsible for sam al-Taweel, Wissam al-Khatib, within the administrative bound- ber of a family in Sweida, the fam- in September 2015, the people it has also criticized the prolifer- corruption in all its forms. Omar Dannoun, Bahaa al-Shara- aries of Sweida city, are aimed at ily would kidnap some from Daraa of Sweida have realized that the ation of unauthorized weapons, ni, Raad al-Sharani, Enad al-Jabr, stealing cars and kidnapping peo- who lived in Sweida. The abduct- regime might turn its rifles and and the disorganized formation Hayel al-Jaber, Nader Shaaban, ple in broad daylight by criminals ed are held as hostages, while tanks on them to suppress any at- of armed factions without unified Flames from Embers Alaa a-Harfoush, Saqer al-Khateb, who are well-known by the Syrian financial bargains among both tempts by the city to participate leadership, which has damaged The situation in Sweida is heating Shadi Elbeh, Thaer Jad Saymoah, regime. sides take place with sponsorship in the revolution, as it did in the the reputation of the State. up, and the only one to blame is Rashad Jayed Shilghin, Thaer by networks and individuals sus- summer of 2000. At that time, the Does the regime want to show At the same time, the head of the the Assad regime which sponsors Jayed Shilghin, Ataala Jayed Shil- pected of being involved in the regime settled a dispute between Sweida’s residents that the alter- Spiritual Committee of Unitarian looting and kidnapping through ghin, Sharef Basam Shilghin, Ra- kidnappings. Sweida residents and Bedouins native to the regime’s control in Druze Muslims in Sweida issued it security apparatuses. The naive fea Reyad Shilghin, Gibran Ismail by force, sending soldiers to the the city will be these thieves and The relationship between Swei- a statement stressing the need to games run by Brigadier General Shilghin, Imran Mohsen Shilghin. area. criminals? It is ironic that the As- da and its neighbor Daraa is no strip away religion and social ve- “SnakeHead” Wafiq Nasser are sad regime works with this ridic- longer based on friendship or The Bar Association in Sweida neer for all those who violate the no longer capable of fooling the ulous mentality. It is playing with respect. The good relations be- has denounced the kidnappings, law. They also stressed the need city’s residents. If people publicly The Assad Regime’s Mes- expose the truth they will be ar- sage people’s lives in cooperation with tween the two cities have been thefts, murder and all other un- for State institutions to act ac- a few thieves from the city. lost. The seeds of division and lawful acts that are constantly cording to their role in stopping rested, and if they keep their si- These gangs work under the aus- sedition have been planted, par- threatening the security in the city organized crime, kidnappings, lence the regime’s collusion with pices of the Assad regime’s se- ticularly after the Bedouins called and the safety of its people. In a killings, theft, smuggling and its affiliates and gangs will contin- curity apparatus, especially the New Relationship Patterns their armed allies forces in Daraa statement issued in August 2017, arms trafficking. In addition, the ue to increase and choke them. military security branch that dom- with Neighbors for help. This prompted al-Nus- the Bar Association criticized the inates Sweida. These gangs have The city of Sweida had main- ra Front to attack the village of recent incidents and organized attacked police stations and se- tained close and solid relations Dama in the western country- curity centers in order to release with its neighboring city Daraa, side of Sweida in August 2014 detainees. A number of activists from which the Syrian revolution to support the Bedouins in their confirmed to Suwar Magazine was launched in March 2011. The confrontations with the residents that the Assad regime’s securi- relationship continued to be gov- of Sweida. In turn, this incident ty apparatus is responsible for erned by the principle of solidari- prompted the residents of Sweida these acts; they are charged with ty. In addition, Sweida had offered to repel the attack. creating problems and dividing a great deal of support to Daraa people in the city. Residents have in the early days of the revolu- expressed their deep resentment Denunciation only through tion, including food and medicine of the State’s disregard for peo- Statements that were provided for free to the ple’s intelligence, as most of the The civil and religious commu- besieged city. However, a deep kidnappings and counter-kid- nities of Sweida illustrate their and substantial change has taken napping incidents usually occur disapproval of all the events hap- place since the beginning of these at the regime and the National pening in Sweida only through kidnapping crimes and the bomb- Defense’s checkpoints without statements that urge the perpe- ing of the villages in the western being detected. Furthermore, trators to stop the ongoing crimi- countryside of Sweida. Extortion

28 29 Reports and Investigations Reports and Investigations

Children of the Idlib Countryside Umm Ammar, a 32-year old woman from rural Idlib School dropout rates are estimated at 50 percent From Schools to Recruitment Camps said, “It’s true that our financial situation is extreme- according to the Education Minister in the Interim ly difficult, and we have lost our sole breadwinner Syrian Government, Imad Barq. Hassan al-Idilbi after my husband was arrested by the Assad regime, People in rural Idlib often try to send their children but I would never have allowed my child to join any to educational seminars that are run by jihadist military faction.” She added, “I strongly reject such a groups and have become widespread in the coun- Umm Ammar spent a terrifying night of worry following the disappearance of her decision because my child is still a little boy and I’m tryside. They do so to try to compensate for their 14-year-old son Ammar from their home. After a long search that lasted for more than not ready to lose him. I have already lost hope that children’s loss of educational opportunities. These my husband will ever be released from the Assad’s two days, she was informed that her son had joined al-Nusra Front, currently known as seminars are held on a daily basis and children are prison.” Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, and was being trained at one of its camps. taught Islamic jurisprudence and Recitation of the Ammar’s mother had tried to persuade her son to Quran as well as the Hadith of the Prophet Muham- Children in the Idlib countryside are being increasingly recruited by militant fac- abandon his jihadist ambitions but all her efforts mad. However, as children are taught some of these tions to fight in Syria. One reason for this is the continued systematic targeting were in vain because Ammar, as she put it, “…was Islamic studies, they are being persuaded by al-Nus- of schools in rural Idlib by warplanes. Another is the absence of families’ convinced about what he was doing.” ra Front to join its camps to prepare for jihad and main breadwinners, which has pushed a large number of children to join achieve victory over their enemies. Through tears, Ammar himself tried to ex- recruitment camps, some with the consent of their parents, but often plain to Suwar Magazine his point of view about This is exactly what Abu Ayham, a middle-aged man without. The ramifications of this critical issue are that child soldiers what he was doing, “Aren’t our schools de- from the town of Kafranbel told Suwar Magazine, will be more likely to die or be killed on the Syrian front lines. stroyed? How can we have a normal life amid all “Our children enjoy these seminars, especially as this injustice and poverty?” According to SMART these jihadist groups encourage children to attend news agency, 800 out of a total 1,404 schools in by distributing gifts and conducting entertaining Idlib and its countryside are closed. This number in- competitions, in addition to providing food. In this cludes primary, preparatory and secondary schools. way they guarantee the frequent attendance of chil- It also includes 400 schools which have been com- dren to these seminars. After that, jihadist groups pletely destroyed by Russian airstrikes, as well as start planting the idea of jihad and recruitment 400 schools that can be rehabilitated. in the minds of these little children.” Abu Ayham pointed out that this is what happened with his son Ayham, who joined the al-Nusra Front camps two years ago when he was only 13 years-old. Abu Ayham admits that he could not retrieve his “Jihadist groups encourage child from their camps. These jihadist groups and children to attend by distrib- organizations convince children that parental con- sent is not necessary, because jihad falls under the uting gifts and conducting supremacy of Islamic rule. Abu Ayham was forced to entertaining competitions, in accept his child’s decision and insistence on staying in the training camp. addition to providing food. In After six years, the war has caused many people to this way they guarantee the lose their work and livelihoods. This has contributed frequent attendance of chil- to the rise in unemployment rates in the city of Idlib. In addition, the city is witnessing an unprecedented dren to these seminar” rise in prices, contributing to the impoverishment of

30 31 Reports and Investigations Reports and Investigations

a large number of families. ti and posters cover the street’s to accept the recruitment of their erty and suffering, which no one walls in the cities of Aleppo and children without their consent, knows about.” “My salary and the aid I get can Sarmada in Idlib, especially near others send their children to fight lift some of the burden from my Radia lives with anxiety and fear schools. These posters contain for the money and assistance the poor family,” said Salem, a 15 whenever her son Muhammad statements like “Children should fighters get. Among them is Ra- years old child soldier. leaves the house to go to the go to schools, not to recruitment dia, a 30-year-old woman who battle fronts and she continues to In an attempt to entice the large camps”, “The safety of children was forced to send her 15-year- pray for her son to return home number of children in Aleppo is in their education”, “Save our old son to join one of the military safely. and Idlib governorates, “The children from al-Qaeda camps.” factions. Justifying her decision, ” Jaish al-Fatah, she explained, “After my husband Radia’s neighbor, a 32-year-old Expressing her support for the along with Mirkaz Du’at al-Jihad, disappeared more than three woman, criticized her by saying, campaign, Engineer Samar (one of the projects established years ago, there was no bread- “Radia has plunged her son into al-Othman said, “Schools are the by the Saudi Arabian Islam- winner left for me and my four death’s clutches. Didn’t she notice natural place for children. Chil- ic cleric Abdullah al-Muhaysini children, and because I am illiter- how many young boys are falling dren’s best weapon is education, in Syria to support the Jihadist ate and unfit to work, I worked as every day? These children are vic- not guns. The campaign ad- movement), and the Association a domestic servant, but the pay I tims. They are being put on the dresses the heart of the problem of Muslim Scholars in Damascus, was getting was not enough to frontline and they face the most of children moving away from tions Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and I hope that it will succeed launched the “Mobilize” cam- meet the basic needs of my fami- difficult and cruelest fate. Most school by either sending them has announced that violations in providing all opportunities paign in April 2016. The cam- ly. I have debts that have weighed of them are killed, and those who to work or to recruitment camps. against children in Syria reached to keep children away from the paign recruited over 500 children heavily on me.” She added, “It is survive are returned to their fam- Al-Bayoush said, “Schools have its highest level in 2016. In a re- battlefields.” to be trained and to fight under true that I persuaded my son ilies with permanent disabilities.” been destroyed in every sense of port, UNICEF said that the kill- the banner of jihad, after printing Ahmed al-Sheikh, is 36 years- Muhammad to join the factions, Manaf al-Bayoush, a 25-year-old the word. They are either com- ing, maiming and recruitment more than one million publica- old and a member of the Union but the reason is our abject pov- man, warns of the consequences pletely or partially destroyed, of children rose sharply last year tions and using several accounts of Revolutionary Bureaus, a civil while other schools have been because of escalating violence on social media to promote this. society organization working to converted to IDP shelters. Edu- across the country. The report In response, a group of activists counter radicalism in Kafranbel cation is virtually absent in our also showed that more than 850 launched the “Children, Not Sol- in Idlib. He told Suwar Magazine, areas. Families fear for the lives children have been recruited to diers” campaign in an attempt to “Recruiting children is a grave of their children due to shelling participate in military operations. prevent and end the recruitment mistake that must be addressed. and at the same time they send This is more than double the child and use of children in armed There must be multiple mech- them to the front lines. What is recruitment numbers in 2015. conflicts. anisms that raise awareness this great contradiction we live in In light of this vicious circle of among those who send their today?” Media activist and coordinator of causes and consequences, the children to fight without under- the Children, Not Soldiers cam- Bayoush further emphasized that problem of child recruitment standing the seriousness of the paign, Asem Zeidan, told Suwar children dropping out of schools continues to increase. This re- issue.” Ahmed stressed that any Magazine that the campaign is a very serious problem that quires a combination of efforts campaign will need to continue team members regularly meet everyone needs to address. Oth- to find solutions by establishing its work over a long period of with locals to raise awareness erwise, the future generation will recreational places, education- time to deliver any solutions to regarding the alarming situation be benighted, illiterate and inca- al courses as well as centers to this growing and complex prob- of child recruitment, and that pable of building a homeland. rehabilitate children, who have lem. so far, the meetings have been been the first victims of this war. At the same time, the United Na- fruitful. The campaign’s graffi- While some families are forced

32 33 Reports and Investigations

Yazidi children are ISIS’s ticking time bomb Lamar Arkandi in Dohuk, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He shared dozens of photographs depict- ing the tragedies perpetrated by ISIS against the kidnapped children to Suwar Magazine. Ac- cording to the testimony from the eldest of the five children, who participated in several battles against the People’s Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria, the children were trained to use different types of weapons; carry out suicide attacks and to read the Qur’an. Quoting one of the children Ali added, “Each of us had his explosive belt, and they taught us how Hasan Sinjari, the uncle of two children kidnapped to carry out suicide attacks against infidels with the by ISIS and a fighter in the Shingal Protection Unit promise of a ‘harem of virgins’ in paradise.” (YBS), pointed down the mountain saying, “In this area, ISIS fighters surrounded 16 Yazidi girls who threw themselves into the valley to escape. They preferred Suicide belt death to being captured by them.” The Yazidi community is increasingly concerned and alien to the Yazidi community, According to statistics on the official website of the about the success of ISIS in manipulating and brain- and even to their Muslim peers with Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs as well as Khai- washing their children with their ruthless ideolo- their zealous prayer practices, as evident ri Bozani, the head of the Yazidi Affairs Office in the gy. Ali says that one of the five survivors spoke of in Bajid Kandala IDP camp in Kurdistan. He Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), 5,383 people hundreds of Yazidi children in ISIS camps who have added that, “Despite their young age, they have been abducted by ISIS. been recruited to participate in battles and terrorist have mastered brutal combat methods, such as slaughtering, beatings, whipping and burning, which Hasan Sinjari told Suwar Magazine that ISIS killed his acts. According to one of the children he spoke with, are committed by ISIS against its victims”. Al-Rashi- brother and abducted two of his children, Maher and many refused to return to their families because they dani pointed out that these children have adopted Renas, aged between 4 and 6 years-old. They had perceive them as infidels while others are actively extremist views of their own parents that are very been taken from the village of Kojo south of the city fighting with ISIS against their families. similar to the hateful narrative perpetrated by ISIS of Shingal. Their mother has chosen to stay with her The Yazidi researcher and historian Salim al-Rashi- towards other religions. daughter in al-Jabal the internally displaced persons dani, who has documented dozens of mass graves (IDP) camp hoping to eventually be reunited with her of people killed by ISIS since the beginning of the According to the Yazidi researcher, the reason that sons. A small number of children are being slowly re- Shingal disaster and collected stories from ISIS sur- ISIS agrees to release abducted children is that they leased in Mosul, ISIS’s stronghold city in Iraq and in vivors in IDP camps in Dohuk, has warned about the have succeeded in manipulating and preparing them the city of al-Raqqa, in Syria. Five children were freed seriousness of the disaster facing the Yazidi commu- to become ticking time bombs that could explode by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the city of nity. Yazidi children, both boys and girls, have been within their communities at any time in the future. al- Raqqa and arrived at Mount Shingal 10 days ago. taught to make and use improvised explosive devic- Al- Rashidani also indicated that ISIS has invented methods of torture against Yazidis who fell under its Ali Beer, a Yazidi activist and journalist, was one of es (IEDs), and have been manipulated and incited grip and did not show obedience. In addition, they the first to speak to the five children before hand- against their community. Al-Rashidani also stressed isolated infants and children as young as two years ing them over to their families in the IDP camp that the behavior of the freed children is abnormal

34 35 Reports and Investigations

old from their mothers, who have been deprived of brother, Asaad Abu al-Khattab said, “God willing, me or to move to safer areas. food and drink for a long time. and my brother will carry out a Martyrdom Operation Abu Shuja Dunayi, who has taken against the enemies of God.” part in operations to free abducted ISIS trained 800 Yazidi children in beheading Footage taken from the air later showed the two civilians described the process of pur- brothers carrying out a suicide attack against Iraqi chasing children as very dangerous. Ac- ISIS has recently released a video which purports to forces on the western side of the city of Mosul, which cording to him, the purchase process usually show young Yazidi fighters training in a camp. It fea- had been seized by Iraqi forces. takes place after the fighter escapes from ISIS tures two young brothers who carried out two sui- territories and in the location that he is staying in at cide attacks against Iraqi forces in Mosul. According Hussein Koro, the head of the Yazidi Rescue Center the time. Up to $8,000 can be paid to free one child. to the video, one of them, Amjad Abu Yusuf al-San- in the city of Duhok, revealed that 800 Yazidi children jari, said in Kurdish “They were worshiping Satan. aged between 5-18 years are being held in three ISIS Dunayi indicated that such operations may fail. He They were living in ignorance.’ camps in the cities of Baaj, Mousel and Raqqa, where said, “We never trust ISIS fighters, as it is possible that they have been trained on execution techniques such they will receive the money without handing over According to the video, the children had received re- as beheading and suicide attacks, as well as combat. the abducted child or women or he might kill them.” ligious education and joined an ISIS camp in Syria He also added, “We have been betrayed many times, before being included on a list of the group’s Koro pointed out that this information was obtained and we have lost many lives in the al-Tahrir Network suicide bombers. The two brothers also ex- from children who had been freed from ISIS. He add- we run to free kidnapped civilians.” pressed their readiness to carry out a ed, “We were contacted by their mothers and we suicide attack against “the enemies managed to free the children with the help of some Most of the operations to free abducted civilians are of God”, even if these included Arab tribes or by paying ransom money through me- carried out between SDF and Iraqi security forces in their own parents. The second diators. Through the investigation we conducted, we Mosul and Raqqa. Smugglers are contracted to co- were able to obtain this serious information.” ordinate with ISIS fighters to secure the release of cial protection in times of armed abducted children, and to deliver them safely to their conflict. Recognizing the vulnerabili-

families. ties of children during wartime, the Ge- Human trafficking of children: ISIS sells chil- neva Conventions of 1949 and its Protocols dren for $8,000 Shokor Shankali, the Yazidi Council official in the city I and II include at least 25 articles referring to of Shingal who supervised operations to free many Selling abducted Yazidi children for money has be- children. However, as stated by Ali al-Khayat, an abducted civilians, confirmed that Yazidis pay huge come a thriving industry for ISIS. The number of Yazidis official of the non-governmental organization “Yaz- amounts of money, often beyond their capacity, to worldwide is roughly two and a half million of whom da” that deals with the Yazidis affected by the disas- free their abducted women and children. He pointed 350,000 are in Iraq. ISIS is selling the kidnapped civil- ter of Shingal, these laws did not protect the captive out that the price to free a woman with her child can ians to strengthen its economy after its oil produc- and freed Yazidi children. An estimated 1,200 chil- be as much as $12,000. He also said, “No one has tion was reduced due to the dual military campaigns dren have been freed out of 3,166, captured by ISIS. been released without money being paid in return. of Nineveh, We Are Coming and Wrath of the Eu- The exception to this is when 53 children were freed Al-Khayyat spoke to Suwar Magazine about the or- phrates, in the cities of Mosul and Raqqa. These last year during an exchange with ‘Aziza’, a woman ganizations and centers providing medical, social, two military campaigns, which are supported from the city of Aleppo in Syria, who is affiliated with and psychological services to rehabilitate Yazidi chil- by the US-led coalition air forces, led to a ISIS. Aziza is the wife of one the ‘princes’ of ISIS and dren with mental health problems. He noted, howev- drastic retreat of ISIS forces in the two had been arrested by YBS in Shingal last year.” er, that their efforts did not meet the needs of chil- countries and prompted dozens of dren. The Yazidi activist referred to Yazda’s special its fighters to sell abducted Yazidi rehabilitation and integration programs for children, women and children to secure Out of 3,166 Yazidi children, 1,200 were re- but the lack of financial and material resources pre- their escape, sometimes to leased vents the organization from covering all cases. He Europe to seek asylum International Humanitarian Law grants children spe- added, “Children are participating in two sessions

36 37 Reports and Investigations Window on Rights

per week within Yazda’s Psychosocial Treatment and she had before the war, it is necessary to design psy- Honor Crimes: A Continuous Injustice Trauma Support Center, and they participate in artis- chological treatment plans to rehabilitate the freed tic, educational and social activities, some of which children, especially after they return to their families. Isam Al Zubi are for entertainment.” Abu Shuja Dunayi freed over 300 children from the grip of ISIS just two months after he entered the city of Shingal. He also supervised the operation carried A healthy life comes from a healthy childhood Dina, a university student, did ther learned of his daughter’s ex- committed an act which violates out to free the five children. He noted that the impact not know that she would be mur- perience in detention and decided their perceived morality, such as Children are the most affected during times of armed of the abduction is lower in younger children, and dered twice. One day in 2012, as that he had to wash away what adultery or illicit relations with the conflict even though they are also the most adapt- that the effects could be overcome easily by integrat- she was taking the bus to Damas- he and many others in his com- opposition sex, in order to cleanse able. Mohamed Ali Osman, a mental health and hu- ing them with their families and their peers. However, cus University she was stopped at munity saw as the shame that his the shame and preserve the fami- man development specialist, notes that because of the problem increases with those children who are a regime security check point and daughter had brought on them. ly and community’s honor. their vulnerability, war is a catastrophic and complex older. This is particularly challenging in the absence taken to one of their branches in He returned with his family to his form of social and psychological activity for children. of rehabilitation institutes and human rights orga- the city. Her crime was that she city in Syria and, in a planned at- Psychological care is one of the most important fac- nizations working on the psychological, mental and was the sister of a fighter in the tack, murdered his daughter. This Legal history of honor crimes in tors that a child lacks during wartime. The symptoms physical health of children, or traumatized children armed opposition groups. In the was the second and final time that Syria of psychological trauma can extend for many years living in displaced person in camps that lack normal security branch she was severely Dina died. There is no protection In the Syrian Penal Code honor after the disaster. life conditions. tortured and brutally raped sever- or legal deterrent for this type of crimes were not mentioned, but Osman goes on to say that terrorist groups are fully The tragedy of the Yazidi families whose little loved al times by members of the secu- crime. were referred to as violations. aware of what affects the personality of a child, and ones were kidnapped did not end after their children rity branch. Dina stayed in prison They were outlined in articles 489 they begin by destroying his or her mental health were freed from ISIS. These children return to their for several months. When she was to 507. When outlining these arti- Honor crimes are the killing of until the child can be easily manipulated to their families brainwashed, trained to kill, and filled with released, she left with her parents cles’ provisions, the drafters took a female in a family by a male cause and principles. hate and radical beliefs. They have become ISIS’s to one of the neighboring coun- into account the mitigating right tries of Syria. Dina did not tell her member because of the suspicion The psychologist advises that these children must be ticking time bombs that could explode in the heart of father what happened to her out or belief that the woman or girl provided with psychosocial support so that they can the Yazidi community at any time in the near future. of fear of what he might do. How- try to live a normal life again. In order for a child to When that happens, the horror will exceed the scope ever, after three years Dina’s fa- be able to integrate into the normal life that he or of any atrocities committed against the communities, especially if the international community continues to remain silent and neglects its humanitarian responsi- bility in the catastrophic crisis plaguing the region.

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husband was absent. Her brother to entry to ISIS. In retaliation ISIS garding honor crimes. The most immediately killed her. Thirty bul- accused her of adultery. A state- prominent of these questions lets were found in her body. Her ment was issued by ISIS declaring were: Is it not the man who be- parents later discovered that the that she had confessed to com- trays his wife and kills her under accusations had been a malicious mitting adultery more than once. the pretext of defending his hon- lie. Mary became another victim She was later brought to the mar- or? Is not the young man at fault to outdated customs and tradi- ket square in the town where she who locks his sister up, beats her, tions that in the absence of any was stoned by ISIS members in and sometimes kills her? Are not laws to protect women, dominate what they considered a legitimate the young men at fault who sit communities. punishment. with girls at universities or ca- fes, or even harass them in the streets? These questions are diffi- Honor crimes after the Syrian The situation is worse in the areas Many factors affect the increase cult to answer. There is a range of revolution controlled by ISIS. In these areas or decrease of the percentage of by Syrian legislators as “A wild customs and traditions that have ISIS carries out honor crimes pub- honor crimes. These include eco- psychological emotion that mo- Today, in areas outside regime had a strong impact on penal laws lically through stoning in front of nomic factors as well as educa- of society to maintain its honor. tivates the perpetrator to commit control, there is not any real leg- that protect honor crimes as ac- crowds of local residents. There tion, laws, norms, and traditions, The importance of this “right” his crime under the influence of islative authority or police appa- ceptable extrajudicial executions. have been several documented which remain strong in Syrian comes from the fact that in Syr- the sacred idea of washing the ratus that can control the security All the while women remain vic- cases of stoning. One of them was communities. ia it is legally acceptable for men shame inflicted on him and his situation and combat the ever-in- tims, waiting for a future law that the stoning of Shamsa Alabdul- in particular to protect their and family by the victim.” creasing number of crimes. Dif- will protect them and bring them ferent factions hold control over lah from al-Tabka town in Raqqa justice. their family’s honor or sense of In the beginning of 2011, Leg- On the International Day for the these areas and operate accord- province. She was falsely accused modesty. islative Decree No. 1 was issued Elimination of Violence against ing to the area’s specific cultural of committing adultery by mem- in which some articles on hon- Women, some simple but mean- practices or to the group’s reli- bers of ISIS who had been chas- or crimes were amended. Article ingful questions were raised re- While Syrian law does recognize gious ideology, as is the case in ing members of the armed oppo- 548 was replaced with another honor-motivated crimes as crim- the areas under ISIS or other ji- sition when they sought refuge in article, providing for a maximum inal acts, the law provides miti- hadi groups’ control. Shamsa’s house. Shamsa refused two to seven years imprisonment gating reasons that legitimize the for perpetrators of honor crimes. protection of honor and dignity. However, this amendment did Its punishment is set in the arti- The unstable security situation not affect the main text of the cles 533, 534 and 540 under arti- in these areas, in addition to the Article 548, which still gives men cle 192 of the general penal code. political and economic conditions the right to commit honor killings In article 473, the law also outlines and the absence of applied laws in practice. It did not abolish the some provisions that provide jus- and punishments, have increased article definitively or increase the tification for honor crimes against the number of honor crimes in penalty to such a degree that it suspected adulteresses. Lenient particular. Today these crimes are might cause a person who wants sentences and exemptions for committed based just on suspi- to commit such a crime to be hes- honor crimes have been justified cion. This was the case of Mary, a itant to do so. In addition, under in some cases by the so-called few months ago. Mary was a new- the amendment the legislator will “noble motive”, which was de- ly-wed, however a neighbor told not be able to protect a woman fined as acts committed in rage her family that there was a man from such a crime. or out of honor. This was defined coming to her house while her

40 41 Windows on rights Windows on rights

Women in Syria have not been immune from this A quick look at Syria’s female detainees since the Trapped and Abandoned practice and have also been subjected to security beginning of the revolution in 2011 shows the sys- prosecution and arrest. In the 1980s, many female tematic method the Syrian regime used during its The Experience of Female Detainees in Syria members of the Community Action League, which campaign of arrests, in which female activists across participated in the large opposition movement in different ideological, political and sectarian- affili Wasan Ghazali Syria, were subjected to interrogation and deten- ations were targeted. In order to suppress the rev- tion, as well as all kinds of physical and psychologi- olution and prevent its progress, the Syrian regime cal abuse. Female members were sentenced to many launched a campaign of arrests. This campaign also years in prison for their political affiliation. As a means targeted women who did not directly participate in to exert pressure on members of the Muslim Broth- the Syrian popular movement, but were nonetheless “Here in this prison, Hafez al-Assad banned God. The guards erhood, their wives and female relatives were also arrested under the pretext that they represented the arrested and detained in prisons, often on charges of social incubator of the revolution. Women were also say, ‘We are God; your life and death are under our control.’ “ belonging to the banned Islamist organization. arrested so they could be used to pressure their male The revolutions of the as well as the fall relatives, or to hold them hostage and use them for of some Arab regimes, had given Syrian people a bargaining purposes. In addition, there were waves of arrests and violence carried out by security men This phrase has long echoed in the ears of glimmer of hope to change their reality and estab- who abused the powers granted to them and arrest- new prisoners from the Syrian regime’s se- lish a civil democratic state. The Syrian revolution ed women purely out of their own personal interests. curity men in the Tadmur Prison in , in March 2011 marked a turning point in the history the country’s most notorious jail. This phrase of Syria. Syrian women participated alongside men in the popular protests demanding freedom and summarizes the policy which operates in Syr- Detention and release ian prisons in general, and against political democracy. However, regime campaigns have tar- prisoners in particular. This has been the ex- geted and detained prominent women and female Detention begins in one of the State’s security perience of political prisoners since the late activists, as well as female relatives and the wives of branches. This is the most difficult and dreadful stage seventies and early eighties, when a large po- young men who were pursued by the Syrian Security of the process. The female detainee is incarcerated in litical movement emerged, led by the Muslim Agencies. These practices are reminiscent of the bar- either solitary confinement or with one other wom- Brotherhood and left-wing parties opposed barous acts of oppression that were committed by an. The detainee is subject to all kinds of insults and to Ba’ath rule. This political movement was ac- the former , Hafez al-Assad during physical torture - beatings by sticks and cables, elec- companied by a huge wave of arrests by the the 1980s, and which continue to be practiced by his tric shock, the “al-Shabah” (where a prisoner’s hands regime of all of those affiliated with the -op son Bashar al-Assad. are shackled and she is suspended from the ceiling), position groups. The inhuman practices and and sometimes sexual assaults in front of her rela- systematic torture of these political prisoners sometimes sexual assaults in front tives – all in order to extract a confession from her. became well known in all prisons of the Syrian of her relatives, all in order to These brutal practices go far beyond physical tor- intelligence agencies, and particularly in Tad- ture. Psychological abuse and extortion by threat of mur Prison and in Damascus. extract a confession from her. physical harm is also practiced. The detainee is used as a means to exert pressure on her husband or fam- These brutal practices have led to widespread These brutal practices go far ily members so that they surrender to the security fear and panic among the population. Syria beyond physical torture. authorities. In other cases, the detainee is forced to has been turned into a police state controlled Psychological abuse and extortion make certain confessions that are far from the truth by merciless security branches, and led by no- by torturing her relatives in front of her. After this, torious officers who have unlimited powers by threat of physical harm is also she faces one of the following options: 1) she is re- and no accountability. practiced. leased from prison or 2) she is put on trial and may

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be deported to a civilian prison where she is placed Islamic code of behavior and dress in such areas are with female prisoners on charges of prostitution, arrested by ISIS and Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly drugs and other criminal offences. Here again she is al-Nusra Front). The violations practiced within these subjected to all forms of abuse and harassment. prisons vary according to the dominant factions. The report of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, pub- After the detainee is released from prison new chap- lished on 8 March 2017, stated that, “To date, 7,571 ters of suffering begin, the extent of which depends women, of whom 504 are girls, have been subjected on the social environment that surrounds her. For ex- to detentions and enforced disappearances by the ample, a student will be forced to leave her university main actors in Syria.” and an employee will be unlawfully terminated from her job. The woman is highly stigmatized in society The number of detained women and girls and her reputation is abused, especially in more con- can be broken down as follows: servative areas. It is common that a released female detainee becomes outcast in society. Nobody wants (81% of all detainees) when a group of Greek Orthodox nuns (who were a civil hospital without mentioning the name of the 5,858 to marry her because of the possibility that she was have been held by the taken prisoners by al-Nusra Front in St. Takla Monas- prison on the child’s birth certificate. Furthermore, female detainees sexually abused inside prison. Sometimes, she may Syrian regime. tery in Maaloula in the governorate of Rural Damas- mothers should be allowed contact with their chil- even be rejected by her family for fear of the shame. (12% of all detainees) cus in December 2014) were freed as part of a prison- dren. er exchange involving 150 women and children who Many female detainees, if they are married before 813 by the armed opposi- It is well known that the treatment and conditions had been held by the Syrian government. However, their arrest, face cases of divorce, which lead to a female detainees tion. of detention in criminal cases are much better than this success was an exception, and there have been multitude of new problems. Therefore, it is common political cases, and that the violations and brutal (4.5% of all detainees) countless occasions when women have been left to for a released female detainee to hide the circum- practices against detained Syrian women are argu- 345 by Isis and Hayyat languish. For example, when Suqour al-Ezz, al-Nusra stances of her arrest and her experience in detention. female detainees ably among the worst in the world. All international Tahrir al-Sham. Front and ISIS imprisoned women from Alawite vil- organizations fighting for human rights, especially Violations against women during the detention pe- lages, during the battles of the (1.53% of all detainees) women’s rights, have not intensified their efforts and riod, in addition to the social pressure they face af- 61 region, near the Turkish border in August 2013, the female detainees by Kurdish units. programs to protect Syrian women and to ensure terwards, lead to psychological crises that cannot be Syrian regime took no serious action. Another inci- easily overcome in a society that does not differenti- their rights. International and regional pressure put on the Syr- dent was when Islamic factions swept through the ate between a prisoner of conscience and a criminal. The female detainees file remains a difficult file to ian regime to release female detainees has gone city of Adra near Damascus, and captured a number address. It is also difficult to document the violations The most prominent symptoms that persist after down the drain because the regime can seemingly of women, but the Syrian regime refused a prisoner committed against female detainees because the the detainee’s exit from prison are depression, ob- do whatever it wants without being held account- exchange. women, and their families and relatives tend to be sessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and fear. These able. For example, the United Nations Security Coun- A number of international covenants affirm in gen- secretive about the subject due to the fear of social symptoms directly affect the woman, especially how cil has watched the regime commit heinous massa- eral terms the prisoner’s right to be treated with hu- stigma. In addition, there is a (justified) lack of con- she treats her children and how she perceives herself cres against innocent people, yet has done little in manity and respect for their inherent dignity. Such fidence in the ability of the United Nations andits and her surroundings. These problems are still not response. If such a powerful organization remains covenants emphasize the need to provide health and active organizations on the ground to exert pressure adequately addressed by institutions and organiza- silent to such crimes, it is an incredibly difficult task hygiene facilities in the place of detention, and to on the Syrian regime to release detainees or to im- tions concerned with providing psychological sup- for others to successfully push the regime to release provide medical care for prisoners. In view of the spe- prove the conditions of detention in general. port. detainees. cial needs of women, they outline certain provisions Although detention of female prisoners is most com- Pressure and negotiations have also taken place that are tailored to their situations. These include the So far, the Syrian women who have been need for providing women with sterile sanitary tow- mon in the regime’s torture prisons, there are also through regional mediators, such as ’s Foreign detained, tortured and humiliated suffer instances of female journalists and activists being de- Minister Khalid bin Mohammad al-Attiyah. These els; pregnant women should receive periodic medical the consequences of detention all alone in tained in opposition-held areas. Furthermore, wom- were stronger in effect than the international com- examinations and specific nutrients during pregnan- en who refuse to comply with the strictly imposed munity’s attempts. One relative achievement was cy and lactation; and childbirth should take place in a ruthless society.

44 45 Economy Economy

Meagre Studies All estimates of the cost of the war and reconstruc- tion, including those provided by the regime’s gov- Syria’s Reconstruction-a Russian For three years the Syrian regime has been talking ernment draw a conspicuously bleak and tragic pic- about reconstruction. Its government is preparing ture of Syria. Political Project certain projects for the regime’s allies that will be launched once the war stops. Although the basic in- The economic researcher Shadi Ibrahim believes that Nidal Youssef frastructure and conditions for the reconstruction of it is too early to talk about the cost of Syria’s recon- Syria are not yet available, research centers, interna- struction. According to him, all aspects of the current tional organizations, and academics are already rac- discussion on reconstruction fall within the frame- Europe is hesitant. Gulf States are ex- ing to prepare studies based on estimates and costs. work of political marketing, which has been initiated Despite the discrepancy in different figures and esti- by the Syrian regime to determine who will be get- cluded. And the keys are in the hands of mates, all these studies agree on a single point; the ting a big chunk of the reconstruction cake and who real cost of reconstruction will not be agreed upon will be deprived of it. Russia and Iran. until the war ends. We have one question: How much does Syria need Vulnerable to Destruction for the reconstruction? The Assad regime grants exclusive right In its study, ESCWA divided the cost of the Syrian Here we need a number that cannot be measured, war, between $227 billion from lost opportunities interpreted or subordinated to viewpoints. At this and $100 billion due to losses in physical capital in- to its allies and . point lies the difficulty; the war has caused destruc- curred by Syria in the past six years. The study also tion and losses that may be difficult to count because identified the extent of destruction in each sector of the simple fact that more than 40% of the Syrian ESCWA: The cost of the Syrian war with the housing sector being the most vulnerable economy prior to the war is an unregulated shadow to destruction as it incurred 30% of losses or an es- economy, which further complicates the problem, amounts to $227 billion and $100 billion timated $30 billion. The proportion of destruction and the process of developing a study based on real in the industrial sector reached nearly 18 %, 9% for facts, not assumptions. for its reconstruction. both electricity and water, and 7 % for the agricul- tural sector. It is beyond the bounds of possibility that Syria will be able to The Toll of War Other studies, however, have presented greater esti- rebuild itself. Similar experiences confirm that there are those mates based on the financial capital needed for the However, a study entitled the “National Agenda for who wait for the war to stop in order to implement their in- reconstruction of each sector according to their loss- the Future of Syria” which has been prepared by vestment portfolios and present their projects. If we assume es. These include $111 billion for real estate, $75 bil- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for that wars are not free of charge but the hidden face of a war lion for industry, $45 billion for services, $24 billion Western Asia (ESCWA), and launched earlier this year economy, then reconstruction and the sharing of power and for public services, $18 billion for transportation and in Beirut, might be more accurate and objective. influence is in fact the new face of the conflict in Syria. communications, $15 billion for agriculture, and $12 According to the study, the cost of the Syrian war billion for financial services. Who are the countries and companies that are allowed to amounts to $327.5 billion. This figure is larger than However, according to a number of researchers the participate in the reconstruction? How will the Syrian cake the World Bank’s estimates which stated in a report assessment of losses does not mean that the cost be divided between these companies and countries? What published in July 2017, entitled “The Toll of War: The of reconstruction has been determined. According are the profitable sectors that will be awarded to powerful Economic and Social Consequences of the Conflict in to Dr. Wathiq al-Halabi, the contradiction in estimat- countries? Will the crumbs be given to some other countries Syria,” that the cumulative losses in gross domestic ing the cost of reconstruction is caused by studies as consolation prizes? product (GDP) have been estimated at $226 billion; originating in foreign capitals and institutions that about four times the Syrian GDP in 2010.

46 47 Economy

are motivated to participate in the reconstruction, in in their war against terrorism will participate in the order to reap abundant and rewarding profits. process of rebuilding Syria.” The former Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister Jawad At the meeting of the Syrian-Russian Joint Commis- Anani mirrored these sentiments in press statements sion for Economic, Commercial, Scientific and Tech- last month, saying that Western parties were pro- nical Cooperation that were held in Sochi in October moting an exaggerated budget for reconstruction in 2017, Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, addressed Syria. Preliminary estimates of the World Bank have the Russians, saying “It is entirely expected that we indicated $100 billion is needed to restore Syrian in- are going to cooperate to build the Syrian economy, frastructure, followed by another $80 billion to run and that citizens in the Russian Federation would development projects. feel that the work done by Russia in Syria is also re- warding.” In response, Russian Deputy Prime Minis- ter Dmitry Rogozin who is in charge of defense forc- Trends and Scenarios es said that Russian companies would “start” their The cost of reconstruction will increase as long as work towards Syria’s reconstruction as “the time has the war continues. However, the important question come to revive” the Syrian economy. now is who will participate in the reconstruction? ing of the current political situation, we can notice and more complex circumstances regarding the de- This is particularly important given that the prepa- that the offensive Arab statements against the Syri- parture of Assad, wherein optimists believe that at Shifting the Compass of Syria’s Reconstruction rations for the reconstruction phase have already an regime have largely subsided. Ibrahim also noted best his removal will be limited to a political transi- commenced among Arab states and the internation- Foreign capitals, particularly those in Europe as well that the cessation of US support for the Free Syrian tion under conditions which will be determined with al community as Washington, which stand against the Syrian re- Army, Turkey’s attitude towards Russia after their the participation of the Syrian regime itself. In addi- gime, require the departure of the Assad govern- In this regard, Suwar Magazine has tried to explore agreement on Idlib, Jordan’s threats to the Syrian tion, the Syrian opposition has no economic power ment as well as a political transition to guarantee different scenarios according to political trends. The opposition to hand over Nasib crossing in southern through which it can exert pressure to insure its in- their participation in the rebuilding of Syria. Many reconstruction of Syria is not merely a financial or Syria to the regime, and the Saudi position on the volvement in reconstruction, as its participation will Arab countries, particularly the Gulf States, agree economic issue but a political process, wherein the Syrian coalition and High Negotiations Committee, not be possible unless it is guaranteed in a political with this position. But the Assad’s regime, which re- victors will have the right to determine which parties all indicate that Russia is preparing a list of countries process. fuses to discuss any issue before the “elimination of that are eligible to participate in reconstruction. and countries are entitled to participate in this lu- According to researcher Ibrahim, the Syrian regime terrorism”, is trying to achieve victory so that it can crative operation. They will also determine the form in the past has refused to compromise and give sign reconstruction contracts as the sole victor and of reconstruction and the modalities of its financing. any role to any opposition groups, even during power in Syria. The Syrian Opposition’s Loss of Economic Pow- Therefore, it goes without saying that the needs of its most difficult and challenging period between er the Syrian economy will be reassessed in the upcom- According to researcher Shadi Ibrahim, Russia has 2012 and 2014. So how can the regime agree to ing period. been able to make a fundamental adjustment to the While the Syrian regime is discussing Syria’s recon- make concessions now or when the cessation direction of reconstruction. After the Russians se- struction, the opposition is still mired in internal rup- According to its officials, the Syrian regime requires of military operations is agreed upon? Ibrahim cured agreements with Turkey on various issues, the ture and fragmentation. With the support of its al- that its allies have the exclusive right to reconstruc- asserted that any change in the regime’s position on tension between President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, lies, the Syrian regime is achieving clear victories and tion. That means Russia, Iran, China as well as its this issue will only occur under pressure from Rus- and Bashar al-Assad has been reduced. Therefore it preparing for the start of a reconstruction process allies in Lebanon. Syrian President, Bashar al-As- sia and Iran, which do not consider the Syrian op- is likely that Erdogan will withdraw his demand to re- that will signal its victory, even if it is only a partial sad, does not hesitate to talk about the exclusivity position as a force whose demands should be met. move Assad in order to ensure Turkey’s participation win. of Syria’s reconstruction projects for his allies in all Ibrahim predicts that in the best case, the opposition in the reconstruction process. Ibrahim added that the his meetings. In a meeting with a Russian economic Opposition groups and forces are still dependent could be merged with a new Syrian regime after the attitude of the Arab countries should also be noted delegation, Assad pointed out that “It is logical that and under the control of their supporters and their war ends. within this recent context. Through a realistic read- countries which have supported the Syrian people different interests. This situation has created new

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Marginalization of European Countries Preparing Contracts The current political developments indicate that Russia and Iran have held their position in Syria Russia and America are seeking to neutralize the Eu- through various economic and military contracts. ropean countries from the process of reconstruction Therefore, it will not be easy for any other forces in Syria. This was confirmed by expert Abdulrahman to limit their political or military influence on Syri- Taqi al-Din who spoke to Suwar Magazine. Russia an territory. A Syrian government source revealed to and America have historically had dismissive atti- Suwar Magazine that more than 65 Russian compa- tudes towards European participation in any conflict nies have received project contracts that are pend- zone, while welcoming their presence only when it ing agreement. As for the remaining chunk of the is subordinated to the two strongest capitals in the reconstruction cake, it will be for those who want to world. According to Taqi al-Din, Donald Trump’s atti- be involved in Syria’s reconstruction. tude confirms that he considers the EU as a marginal However, there is something the researchers ignore party, which corresponds to ’s desire when it comes to Syria’s reconstruction; the role of to be the strongest player in Europe. the Syrian businessmen. Businessmen associated that Russia will be the ultimate party in deciding who cess through Lebanon; the back door that allows EU After Taqi al-Din spoke about the complexities of the with the regime will not give up their share of the will participate in the reconstruction of Syria. countries to operate in Syria. war in Syria, he went on to talk about the issue of reconstruction market and many are waiting for the Lebanon is expected to assume a “godfather role” Behind the scenes, both sides of the political divide determining the countries that will participate in the opportunity to start various projects as part of the for reconstruction in Syria. Its leaders are seeking to in Lebanon agree on the need to ensure a Lebanese reconstruction process, as well as their role. Taqi al- reconstruction of Syria. Dr. Al-Halabi asserted that ensure the participation of Lebanon in this process, role in the reconstruction of Syria. They talk about Din said that some countries such as America, Eu- the Syrian regime has traditionally rewarded its do- providing a logistical role as its geographical loca- Lebanon as a “base or work-station” for all those who rope, Russia, and Turkey will send their companies, mestic supporters in different ways, and that it must tion make it essential, particularly as the Syrian re- want to rebuild in Syria. It is no secret that the Leb- while others countries such as Iran, will act direct- allocate some reconstruction projects to the busi- gime will maintain its strict position against Turkey anese press is talking about deals between Gulf and ly through their governments in the reconstruction nessmen who supported it during the war. Accord- in the north, and will try to reduce cooperation with international companies on the one hand and the process. Finally, there are also those countries that ing to Dr. Al-Halabi’s expectations, these business- Jordan, which has been a supporter of the Syrian rev- registration of new companies in Lebanon, on the will carve out a large share based on the funding men’s share of reconstruction projects will be mere olution against Assad. other. These practices will function as the back door they will provide. crumbs, because their competitors for these projects for these actors, which will allow them to participate Lebanon also has its own expertise in reconstruction are states and giant companies. in the reconstruction in Syria: The most prominent of to draw from. Lebanon’s reconstruction started in these are construction companies. the 1990s after the signing of the 1989 Taif Agree- A platform for Syria’s Reconstruction ment, which ended the civil war in the country. Leb- anon also has considerable experience and capacity Lebanon is seeking to attract those who want to The Local Version in import-export, services and banking. However, the rebuild Syria. It is a country divided between sup- Syrian regime is concerned that Lebanon will be a Many figures in both the political and economic porters and opponents of the Syrian revolution, but facade for Arab and foreign companies that stood spheres are asking whether Syria needs a version of money will be crucial. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad against it during the war years and now want to se- Saad al-Hariri. This is a logical question that will de- al-Hariri first sparked this issue of reconstruction in cure their share in the reconstruction. Such countries termine the form of reconstruction, the modalities Syria. Following his meeting with President Trump in will establish companies in Lebanon to participate in of its funding, and the political and economic price Washington in July 2017, he asked that Lebanon be the reconstruction and it seems that the Lebanese that Syria will pay for reconstruction. Reconstruction a platform for Syria’s reconstruction process. In ad- are ready to provide this cover. On the other side, the entails power, profit, and control, not just companies dition, a joint Lebanese-Russian meeting was held EU, which refuses to participate in the reconstruc- which work for money. during the summer of 2017, when the issue of re- tion process unless a political transition is achieved, building Syria was discussed. Lebanon is fully aware After the civil war ended in Lebanon, Lebanese will also become involved in the reconstruction pro- business tycoon, politician, and former prime min-

50 51 Economy Culture

Akitia ister (1992–98; 2000–04) Rafiq al-Hariri, founded a Little Optimism state-affiliated company, Solidere, which led the -re After the war stops, Syria will wake up one day to The Story of Land and Identity building efforts in Beirut in exchange for the post find that many companies and countries are will- of prime minister. This is a historical experience that ing to participate in its reconstruction. Moreover, it cannot be denied, and its effects are still reverber- Angel Al-Sha’er will not find it difficult to secure funding or to find ating. Under the present circumstances, is there a parties which are willing to be involved in the pro- Syrian businessman who is capable of carrying out “The night extended its heavy wetness over the souls of the cess. However, the inevitable difficulty Syria will face this responsibility? What are the international guar- beings in the land of beginning, as the invisible spirits moved is what will the Syrian “Marshall Plan” be like? And antees that allow a specific name to take the largest slowly into their dreams. A cold autumn wind slept intermit- what will be the conditions for this “support?” share in this process? tently in the dark gray bed, and the weary sand became fa- According to Dr. Al-Halabi, reconstruction is an All indicators confirm that Lebanon’s reconstruction tigued from the pursuit of his mysterious dream on the sails enormous and extremely expensive operation, experience, as represented by Rafiq al-Hariri, is not of the wind; lying down on his mother’s warm lap. Only the and there are massive financial resources just applicable in Syria. The Syrian regime’s allies, who miserable hearts remained awake controlling the worried bal- waiting to be pumped into reconstruction proj- have already begun to distribute among themselves ance of creation in the equation of life and death.” That is how ects once the war stops. Financing modalities will the relevant projects, will not allow the Lebanese ex- the writer Jad Abdul Kareem al-Jiba’i started his novel Akitia, not be a problem. However, the problem accord- perience to be replicated. In addition, there are the which is rich with symbols and signs that lead the reader into ing to Dr. Al-Halabi is that Syria highly will become fundamental differences between the regime’s allies; an enchanted world where language opens one of its doors highly indebted and will lack sovereign decision- China, Russia, and Iran, with the opposition axis rep- only to close another. The luxurious language seems to be making powers. These will be the conditions that resented by America, Turkey, the European Union the protagonist of this novel as it is in Salim’s Barakat novels. companies and countries participating in the recon- and Arab countries, especially the Gulf States, which struction process, will demand. He also concludes prevent any consensus. that the Syrian people, who long for the end of the The language used by al-Jiba’i is profound Taqi al-Din believes that the structure of the Syrian war, will find themselves in the midst of a new phase; with layers of meaning and symbolism. regime is likely to remain similar to its current model the phase of debt and the depletion their country’s The writing filters the words to reveal the and won’t allow for reconstruction process similar to wealth. States that have been rebuilt after similar essence of language or the language of Lebanon’s. He says that “the Assad’s regime will not wars remain heavily indebted, beyond the capac- the soul, which opens up symbolic and grant a certain person the opportunity that would ity of their finances to repay, as is the case with mythical spaces in which there is the echo entitle him to later be called the “builder of Syria.” Lebanon. of those who are suffering, deprived of Taqi al-Din also pointed out that no man could risk their rights and uprooted from their land. Researcher Ibrahim has a more optimistic point of undertaking such a job, even if he received interna- This language defies the reader’s analysis view. He argued that the cessation of war means tional guarantees. The process is purely political, and of its composition and interpretation. the end of destruction and killing. After that, any no one will dare to take such a risk. Previous experi- other loss can be accepted, as it will be less onerous ences in Lebanon and elsewhere, where a regime has than the continuation of war. had the upper hand, have brought multiple disasters. Akitia is a novel by Syrian writer Jadallah al-Jiba’i and was published by al-Hasad publishing house in Damascus in 2011. Caught Between the War and the Reconstruction Before the novel, he also wrote The Friezes of the Phantom Windows, Syria’s reconstruction is no less dangerous than the war itself, because it includes the drawing of the future also published by al-Hasad. policy of the Syrian state. A great deal of care will be taken in selecting countries and companies involved in the distribution of reconstruction projects, and Syria will find itself again caught between different forces as it was in the war.

52 53 Culture Culture

The novel Akitia deals with two the character of Adam or Samaan is the wisdom in the alienation different issues: the Kurdish is- held the correct nationality nei- of man from his humanity? And sue and the experience of IDPs ther would have been uprooted where is the justice of heaven and authority that does not neglect er their presence is felt in every from the occupied Syrian Golan from his land or deprived of his earth in the equality of human anything. Samaan dies inside event throughout the novel even Heights. These two topics are ex- rights in it? beings? Unlike Ahayqar, the poet the Social Service Affairs Office, in the moments of their absence. amples of similar issues from dif- Abu al-Ala al-Ma’ari defined the which is a branch of the Security Women are the regeneration and Samaan and Adam share the ferent places and times. Howev- border between existence and Services that brings news, mon- resurrection represented in Akitia suffering of their loss of self and er, the writer does not deal with non-existence, and justice and in- itors individuals, and controls and the connection of heaven to identity. This is not only the loss of them from a political context, but justice, making the prophets bear according to its own whims. Sa- earth as represented in the de- national identity but also human rather from a humanitarian per- responsibility for human misery. maan goes to that office daily ceased wife of Adam who contin- identity, the identity of existence. spective. The novel’s heroes are The evocation of all these charac- with Adam to prove that they did ues to speak to him saying: Adam is exiled from existence; he subjected to the security author- ters is an evocation of existence not leave their place of house ar- has no characteristics, no identity ities, which watches and humili- from the heart of nothingness, rest. This branch is headed by a and no land. This is also the case “Adam, wake up, do not sleep. ates them under the guise of the and rejection of a reality that has first assistant named Abu Nizar with Samaan in spite of the dif- Look up to the heart of the sky ‘Social Affairs Services’. Thus life become a hollow, violation of hu- al-Sumein who has a bulging ferent reasons that led to his suf- and you will see me. I am the loses its meaning in their eyes and man life. potbelly as a result of his extor- fering. bright star of morning; the neck- as the saying goes, “The prophets tion activities. Samaan ultimate- According to the novel, Adam’s lace of the light on the chest resign from their prophecy”. The writer’s choice of the charac- ly dies defeated, truncated, and daughter Akitia, whose name in- ters’ names was an attempt to mix humiliated. His humanity died in of the charming night. I am the Adam, a Kurdish man, is stripped dicates the Kurdish New Year, myth with reality. Each character this question: “Where have you goddess of charm…the soul of of his Syrian citizenship along has a degree in law. But it means has its symbolic significance and been so far, Samaan?” The ques- Babylon and the smell of Eden, with hundreds of thousands of nothing since her father is guilty neither of which recognizes the mythical counterpart. Adam the tion was repeated several times: the lighting of the light and the Kurds in the 1962 census in the of being Kurdish. A man is found other, but what unifies them is man and Adam the father of the “Seven days, Samaan; a time of fountain of the laughing spring… Jazira area, in northeastern Syr- guilty in the eyes of the despotic stronger than ethnic tendencies, prophets, was born without reli- complete creation. Where were My father called me the pearl of ia. This census sought to replace authorities when he is born with fanaticism and ideological follies. gion, sect, nationality, ethnicity you in those seven days”? Sa- the sky. My mother called me the Kurdish farmers with Arab set- an ethnicity that is different from Human experiences are common or homeland. His homeland was maan replied in one word: “I did foam of the sea. My name was tlers. Their case is still pending that of the authority. Akitia has to people of different languages. the universe until the emergence not. (…) I was dead on the roof of written with the delicious smell today. Samaan Jolani’s land in the no right to work with her certif- We must learn the art of moving of the kingdom where Adam be- my house, under the shadow of a of fruits and the branches of the is also taken from icate or to claim its most basic from noise to coherent speech. came wretched. His real equiva- fig tree, if you like”. Samaan slept, palms, and the kingdoms of ev- him by Israeli forces after the rights. Should the Kurds apolo- Speaking is the production of lent is the tortured Kurdish Adam and the trace of his body left him. anescence denied me.” Ghubira June defeat in 1967. gize for being Kurdish in order meaning and value. We must in the novel, who belongs only to and Golan are like women, denied to recognize their humanity and The Kurdish issue is a chron- learn the art of moving from faith It is as if the writer wants to say misery and nothingness. Samaan by the kingdoms of evanescence. claim their rights? ic problem, as is the situation in to thinking, which is to learn the that the land and nationality are (or Simon in the Bible) is the as- Golan. The issues related to these art of moving from dependence equal in value and they are equal cetic who remained sitting on his Adam’s home is Ghubira, a bor- contested areas remain unsolved. to freedom. Faith rules out the “It was the evening and it was the to identity and home in content. pillar for forty years, deprived of der desert village, which like its Perhaps only the passing time of “other” intuitively, but critical morning of another day”. This Otherwise why do we call an in- the baggage and pleasure of the residents struggles to assert its history will be enough to mend thinking provokes its necessity, biblical rhyme used by the writer dividual ‘Syrian’ or ‘Egyptian’ world. His equivalent in the novel identity. There the sun and its their wounds. What is happening and on this evocation, the use symbolizes the absurdity of exis- or ‘European’, if the meaning of is Samaan Jolani who is deprived shadow are deceitful. It is filled between Kurds and Arabs in Syr- of the “other” and recognition of tence between two contradictory identity is not connected with the of his rights. with dust and smoke which ob- ia, Iraq and elsewhere is clear ev- their right to be different is where poles in one life; in the equation land, and if the identity does not scure its morning face. Ghubira Ahayqar al-Baasir, the King of idence of the fragility and pitfalls tolerance is built, according to the of life and death, justice and in- highlight the personal character- was only a container for those Wisdom in the novel, is merely a of coexistence. Bringing together writings of Gad al-Karim Jubai. justice, good and evil, light and istics of individuals? An important who lost their human identity un- witness to the human suffering Samaan and Adam in the novel darkness. question comes to the mind: Had der the watchful eye of a political Women are not absent from the and the reality of injustice. Where links two different nationalities, novel. In the eyes of the writ-

54 55 55 Cinema Cinema

spontaneous and unplanned, and the cities through which they wreck off Lampedusa on the 11th there were no sudden emergen- passed. These areas and cities of October 2013, where he saw cies. It was all arranged in an or- were acknowledged using words 250 people drown. He expressed derly sequence. The documentary or hints, such as ‘farewell- good- what he had been through by was produced in a harmonious bye to Italy’ when crossing the ra- showing mixed feelings of grief, manner, and in a way that chron- zor wire fence along the border. astonishment and perseverance. icles the events with the accura- Here, the viewers of the docu- In the narration scene, he is joy- cy of the time in which they took mentary are reminded of The Bor- fully holding a French wineglass On the Bride’s Side place. The documentary’s five der movie by the director Duraid while also expressing surprise at A turning point in moving documentary characters played their roles very Lahham, which has a similar scene the European countries abandon- naturally showing the range of called the Crossing of the Dead. ing the refugees. emotions they experienced from filmmaking to a more imaginative world The film’s footage was proportion- We also see the insistence of the beginning of filming until ate to the volatile situations of the the child Alaa, a talented rapper, the end of the staged wedding. Rasha al-Saleh characters and the different plac- who insists on singing in Arabic. The staged wedding in question es through which they crossed. During the whole film, the focus helped the refugees to cross a During the documentary, the was directed to show the con- It looked like a procession of Gabriele del Grande and Antonio vided and the equipment, venue, barbed wired border that had characters recounted their stories cerns and confusion of the film- imaginary joy, but it was draped Augugliaro, who decided to help cars and wedding dress were se- been erected in front of them and memories of their journey to makers synchronized with the with an aura of deep hidden sor- them reach Sweden. The film- cured. The ‘bride’ in question was by the bitter reality facing asy- Italy, where they arrived exhaust- actions of the refugee actors, so row. However, it was eventual- makers proposed that the jour- an activist and quickly agreed to lum-seekers in Europe, trying to ed, miserable and anxious. The that the images succeeded in re- ly crowned with the fulfillment ney take the form of an Italian participate once asked. Through flee the cruelty behind them. film conveys the pain and oppres- flecting their transit to a new un- of the refugees’ aspirations to wedding with a dozen or so Ital- cameras, the stages and stations Most of the film’s scenes were in- sion suffered by these characters known reality. The language and cross into a safer and more stable ians and Syrians as the wedding of the trip were filmed. Joy domi- spired by the hardships and dif- with many powerful scenes. In sound effects of the film were homeland. ‘guests’. In this way, the Syrians nated the film’s atmosphere from ficulties of the trip, which were one such scene, the experience of professional. Some scenes were could reach their destination and the beginning to end, as this film The story of the documentary On depicted in both an anxious and Abu Nawar is narrated. Nawar is too long or outside the context the filmmakers could produce a enabled these refugees to cross the Bride’s Side is the true sto- courageous way, and depicting one of the survivors of the ship- of the film such as the scenes of film that tells the world about ref- a distance of 3,000 kilometers in ry of five Palestinian and Syrian the Bride, Tasnim, singing to the ugees and asylum-seekers while just four days. The humanitarian refugees in Milan who entered sea, poetry readings and meet- drawing the world’s attention to purpose of the film was achieved Europe via the Italian island of ing with poets in the midst of the their suffering and life-threat- as some of these refugees were Lampedusa after fleeing the war journey. Yet most of the scenes ening journeys. The filmmakers granted humanitarian asylum in in Syria. Hoping for a better life were produced in a new context filmed the journey and produced the end, and the film crew - re on the European continent, these in harmony with the event and a new and special documentary ceived funding from a website five refugees crossed the distance the message for which the film whose heroes were the refugees after presenting the film on social from Lampedusa to the Swed- was produced. themselves, dressed elegantly in media. ish city of . However, wedding outfits. In this way they The characters of the film were during their journey, they came As both the film’s heroes and di- avoided being arrested as human lively and strong; Tasnim, the across unexpected barriers and rectors had achieved their goals, traffickers. young bride; Abdullah, the Syr- hardships, until they met with the On the Bride’s Side premiered a ian Palestinian groom who was filmmakers; the Palestinian-Syrian Film preparations began within new plot which is different from one of the few refugees who sur- director Khaled Suleiman al-Nas- the record time of two weeks; the those presented in previous doc- vived after their boat sank near siry as well as the Italian directors cinematic assignments were di- umentaries. The scenario was Lampedusa Island; Abu Nawar,

56 57 To Be Syrian Nabil al-Mulhim

matter, you only have to fall down. as silence. And to be Syrian, all you have to Be a piece of art in some Parisian Directors’ Notes: To be Syrian, means to dance with do is never tire of dust or depar- neighborhood, be lost as a float- embers, you are already dancing “A documentary and yet a ture, and forget about all matters ing tree on the River Spree in Ber- with embers on the map, why not? political act, a real and yet of the heart. lin. Be a beggar in al-Hamra Street Did you see a map in a straight fantastic story; ‘On the Bride’s in Beirut, or an obscure musician line, bounded from the east to the To be Syrian you have to leave; in al-Haram Street in Cairo. Side’ is all these things at north, only with the shape of Syr- you have to leave this country, once.” ia? from which fire plunges from its To be Syrian, you have to forget bosom, as if it is a mad lover, and about Muhammad al-Maghut... To be Syrian, means to be in the “For a language, which, with- which you wear as if it is your quilt Suleiman Awad... Louay Kayali… earthquake zone, to hear the loud out falling into the trap of vic- in the frost. Nazir Nabaa... Fawaz al-Sagir, and noise of the earthquake, it is such timism, was able to transform to start a trip towards Haifa Weh- a curse to be in the earthquake To be or not to be, is no longer a the monsters of our fears into be, to fall from her bosom inad- zone, an unfortunate and difficult Shakespearean question, you have the heroes of our dreams, the vertently, and then listen to her place to be in. been sentenced to eternally climb, unique unrefined songs. ugly into the beautiful and then roll and then climb, and then To be Syrian, all you have to do numbers into names.” get back to your rock, you have To be Syrian, you have to forget is to carry your flexible container been created out of Sisyphus, and your sublime origins, as you used and all your money: your bag will he is a piece of your lost time, just to be the son of al-Hamidiyah, the be empty and filled only with small and his Syrian wife Muna; the also been screened in 36 coun- because you are Syrian. tomb of Bilal, Iskenderun Street, memories, such as those that are little rapper Alaa who is full of tries worldwide and broadcasted Arados, Palmyra, and that woman, written on the blackboard, and To be Syrian, you shall not be as vitality and joy. on Italy’s SKY channel. This docu- who upon her memory, you will then taken by the eraser. elegant as a night gown, and you mentary was an unorthodox road hear the neigh of horses. The documentary On the Bride’s shall not be luxurious as an or- movie as well as a true account of To be Syrian, means to be Amer- Side was broadcasted on Al Ja- ange juice, all you have to be, is To be Syrian, stop being who you illegal immigration. The language ican, Turkish, Russian or Iranian, zeera English in 2016. The film to be always ready to leave, with are, and forget that you are the was very sensitive and emotional. and when your camels take you to was entered in the 71st Venice In- your clothes on your shoulders. apples of al-Zabadani, the sweet The film causes the viewer to sail faraway places, you will be a Qa- ternational Film Festival and won dried grape of the Sweida, the oil through the contrasting feelings tari...to be Syrian, you only have to To be Syrian, you have to be out- three special jury awards as well presses in Afrin, do not be apri- of its characters, presenting them be a temporary entity in the game side the map, there is no map for as the 2015 FEDIC Award, the Hu- cots and walnuts of Ghouta. in an intelligent way. The film of time; there will be no meaning you at all, whether you are the son man Rights Film Network Award pulls the viewer into the beau- to wristwatches and Big Ben, even of a cave, or merely a sad ending, Do not be a lover, scratching the and the National Society of Film ty of documentaries, turning its the time when you were born, will if you want to be Syrian, you have knife’s blade, and then burning Critics Award. One year later, it refugee actors into movie stars be empty, and you would curse to be many different things… Lis- his heart with fire. had been given a theatrical re- walking on red carpets after they that you were born. ten to Daniel Cohn-Bendit: “You lease in Italy and was featured in To be Syrian, it is enough for you were heroes fighting misery. This are the son of old times.” many of the biggest internation- To be Syrian, means to stare at the to be: the wreck of meaning... film is a turning point in moving Revolutions fail and countries van- al documentary festivals around violet gates, until you are felled All you have to do is repeat the documentary filmmaking to a ish...These are simple facts for you, the world (IDFA, HotDocs and accidently by a shot from your following word: “Was”. more imaginative world. DocEdge, to name a few). It has friend, enemy or God, it doesn’t Syrian, just to make you as happy

58 59 Art work: Al Rayes/ Sorce: Arab news 60