Syria's 'interim constitution' determined: Islamic law to be the primary source... Tension between al-Shara and the SDF

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The Syrian Transitional Government stated that the interim constitution signed by al-Shara would contribute to building an environment of peace and security in the country. The new constitution mandates that the President of Syria must be a Muslim and stipulates that Islamic law shall be the primary source for legislation. The document provides for the country's official name to be maintained as the 'Syrian Arab Republic.' The SDF, an offshoot of the YPG/PKK, reacted to the new constitutional text, stating that it could negatively affect the peace process in Syria. This reaction came following an 8-article reconciliation agreement signed between the SDF and the al-Shara administration on March 10.

At the beginning of March, al-Shara established a seven-member constitutional committee and tasked it with preparing a legal framework for the transition period. The committee's chairman, Dr. Abdulhamid al-Awak, stated that the declaration aims to strike a balance between social security and rights and freedoms. Al-Awak added that the head of state would have the authority to declare a state of emergency during the transition period.

According to a Reuters report, it was announced that the newly established 'People's Assembly' would hold full legislative powers. According to the document, two-thirds of the assembly members will be appointed by a committee selected by al-Shara. The remaining one-third will be determined directly by the head of state. It was noted that a separate committee would be formed to draft the permanent constitution.

It was alleged that massacres, including those of Alawites, Christians, and Sunnis, are continuing in Syria. On social media, there was a backlash against Damascus Governor Mahir Merwan for holding a meeting with an individual who 'announced with video footage' that he had participated in massacres in Latakia and Tartus.

Mahir Merwan, appointed by HTS as the Governor of Damascus

SDF REACTS TO AL-SHARA

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an offshoot of the YPG/PKK that controls northeastern Syria, harshly criticized and rejected the interim constitution. The SDF claimed that the declaration resembles the policies of the former Baath regime and ignores ethnic and religious minorities such as Kurds and Christians. The published statement warned that ''narrow-minded practices and archaic political ideas could set Syria back and deepen disputes.''

The SDF emphasized that the constitution should be transformed into a decentralized structure and that the rights of different communities should be protected more strongly. Furthermore, they stated that the executive branch was granted unlimited powers, arguing that this is insufficient for fair governance.

The Syrian Presidency announced that the SDF would join state institutions. An 8-article agreement was signed between the Syrian Government and the SDF. SDF leader Mazloum Abdi, who traveled to Damascus under the protection of the US military, held a meeting with al-Shara and Transitional Government officials. Abdi and al-Shara signed an agreement regarding the process of integrating YPG/PKK elements into Syria.

The articles of the agreement signed between the al-Shara administration and the SDF, the political wing of the YPG/PKK, are as follows:

1- Guaranteeing the rights of all Syrians, regardless of their religious and ethnic background, to be represented in state institutions and to participate in the political process based on merit.

2- The Kurdish community is an essential community in the Syrian state, and the Syrian state guarantees the citizenship rights and all constitutional rights of the Kurdish community.

3- Ensuring a ceasefire throughout all Syrian territory.

4- Integrating all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria, including border crossings, airports, and oil and gas fields, into the administration of the Syrian state.

5- Ensuring the return of all displaced Syrians to their villages and towns and guaranteeing their protection by the Syrian state.

6- Supporting the Syrian state in its fight against all threats that endanger the country's unity.

7- We reject calls for division, hate speech, and attempts to sow discord among all components of Syrian society.

8- Executive committees will work until the end of the current year to implement this agreement.

The SDF announced last week that, within the framework of the agreement made with the Damascus administration, border crossings, oil fields, and an airport would be handed over to the government. According to experts, the issue of how SDF fighters will be integrated into Syria's new army has not yet been clarified.

TURKISH OFFICIALS IN DAMASCUS

On the day the interim constitution was signed, a delegation from Turkey, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, and MIT President İbrahim Kalın, traveled to Damascus on March 14.

The delegation held meetings with al-Shara and other officials that lasted approximately three hours. During the meetings, Turkey-Syria relations and current developments in the region were discussed.

United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen argued that an inclusive transitional government should be established in Syria. Pedersen emphasized that acts of violence against civilians must be investigated.

News Source: 12punto