In the aftermath of Syria's prolonged civil conflict, the newly established Committee for Civil Peace, designed by the country’s nascent government to restore order, is stirring discontent rather than unity. Initially envisioned to mend the country's deep-rooted divisions, the organization's actions have ignited frustration among many who once fought against the regime of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad.
During the recent Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, discontent reached a boiling point after the committee facilitated the release of former regime soldiers, declaring they were free of any criminal ties. This decision has drawn ire from activists like Rami Abdelhaq, who voiced the sentiments of many, stating, “What everyone has been waiting for since Assad’s fall is to see the punishment of those who committed war crimes, to see transitional justice take place.”
The Committee for Civil Peace was set up following widespread killings of Alawite individuals, the sect historically aligned with al-Assad and instrumental in his military's efforts to suppress the uprising. Human rights organizations reported that a failed counterinsurgency operation led to the tragic deaths of hundreds of Alawite civilians, exacerbating the tension within an already fractured society.
As calls for justice grow louder, protests are expected as activists demand an accountability framework that prioritizes justice for the war's victims over perceived leniency towards former regime supporters.
During the recent Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, discontent reached a boiling point after the committee facilitated the release of former regime soldiers, declaring they were free of any criminal ties. This decision has drawn ire from activists like Rami Abdelhaq, who voiced the sentiments of many, stating, “What everyone has been waiting for since Assad’s fall is to see the punishment of those who committed war crimes, to see transitional justice take place.”
The Committee for Civil Peace was set up following widespread killings of Alawite individuals, the sect historically aligned with al-Assad and instrumental in his military's efforts to suppress the uprising. Human rights organizations reported that a failed counterinsurgency operation led to the tragic deaths of hundreds of Alawite civilians, exacerbating the tension within an already fractured society.
As calls for justice grow louder, protests are expected as activists demand an accountability framework that prioritizes justice for the war's victims over perceived leniency towards former regime supporters.
