everything you need to know about syria and the syrian people
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The Syrian people are diverse.
One reason for Syria's diversity is Syria's long history of accepting refugees misplaced by war or religious persecution.
100,000 Circassian refugees were welcomed in Syria in 1839
400,000 Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks, who fled the Ottoman Empire's atrocities on Christians, were welcomed in Syria between 1915 and 1923
500,000 Palestinians who fled Israel after creation of the Israeli state in 1948 were welcomed in Syria
200,000 Kurds fleeing the conflicts in Turkey during World War I, then various conflicts in Turkey since 1978, and also those who fled Iraq in 2003 after the U.S. invasion--were welcomed in Syria
1,200,000 Iraqis were welcomed in Syria after the U.S. invasion of 2003
100,000 Lebanese were welcomed in Syria during the July War with Israel in 2006
150,000 Kuwaitis were welcomed in Syria during the 1990 Gulf War
100,000 Circassian refugees were welcomed in Syria in 1839
400,000 Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks, who fled the Ottoman Empire's atrocities on Christians, were welcomed in Syria between 1915 and 1923
500,000 Palestinians who fled Israel after creation of the Israeli state in 1948 were welcomed in Syria
200,000 Kurds fleeing the conflicts in Turkey during World War I, then various conflicts in Turkey since 1978, and also those who fled Iraq in 2003 after the U.S. invasion--were welcomed in Syria
1,200,000 Iraqis were welcomed in Syria after the U.S. invasion of 2003
100,000 Lebanese were welcomed in Syria during the July War with Israel in 2006
150,000 Kuwaitis were welcomed in Syria during the 1990 Gulf War
The majority of Syria's population are Sunni Muslim, but the remaining religious population is diverse. Syrians are Jewish, Yazidi, Druze, Islmailis, Alewite, Shi'a and various denominations of Christianity: Syriac Orthodox, Syriac Catholic, Chaldean, Nestorian, Armenian, Protestant, Latin Catholic, Maronite, Greek Orthodox, and Greek Catholics.
Syria's religious diversity:
Christians 450,000
Alewite 325,300
Yazidi, Druze, Ismailis, Shi'a 155,100
Jews 30,000
Syria's religious diversity:
Christians 450,000
Alewite 325,300
Yazidi, Druze, Ismailis, Shi'a 155,100
Jews 30,000
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Possibly the oldest culture in Syria is the Assyrian culture
Assyrians can trace their roots in Syria to about 6,500 years ago. They are some of the earliest people to convert to Christianity. The first century apostles Thomas, Thaddeus and Bartholomew are said to be among the founders of the Eastern Churches, to whom most Assyrians belong to. The people of many of the oldest Christian villages in Syria continue to speak Aramaic -- the language of Jesus. |
Photo Above: An Assyrian girl celebrates an ancient festival
Eden Naby, an expert on Assyrian culture recently said: "Assyrians remain the last Aramaic-speaking people of the world. So the disappearance and displacement of these people pretty much spells the closing chapter of Aramaic use in the world."
ISIS and various foreign "rebel" groups have been attacking Christian villages since 2012, often committing horrific atrocities and completely demolishing the ancient churches and other artifacts inside the Christian villages. Habib Afram, head of the Syriac League, which represents Assyrian issues, said this about the atrocities Islamist terrorists are committing: "They don't want to just take your land or kick you out of your villages; they want to erase your past, your heritage."
Eden Naby, an expert on Assyrian culture recently said: "Assyrians remain the last Aramaic-speaking people of the world. So the disappearance and displacement of these people pretty much spells the closing chapter of Aramaic use in the world."
ISIS and various foreign "rebel" groups have been attacking Christian villages since 2012, often committing horrific atrocities and completely demolishing the ancient churches and other artifacts inside the Christian villages. Habib Afram, head of the Syriac League, which represents Assyrian issues, said this about the atrocities Islamist terrorists are committing: "They don't want to just take your land or kick you out of your villages; they want to erase your past, your heritage."
Syrian Armenians:
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Armenian Christians have a long history in Aleppo, dating back to the 11th Century A.D. when the Turks captured Byzantine-controlled Armenia and created a diaspora of Armenians from their ancestral homeland.
Another large diaspora to Syria followed the Armenian Genocide of 1915, in which hundreds of thousands of Armenians fled into northern Syria and settled into the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, al-Hasakeh, al-Raqqa, Latakia, and Homs. |
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The largest community of Armenians in the entire Middle East resides in the city of Aleppo--even though the founding of present day Armenia occurred in 1918.
Since the beginning of the current Syrian War in 2011, the Syrian Armenian community has remained loyal to the Syrian Army and to Syria. They have served on the front lines of every major battle against the Syrian opposition forces.
When Aleppo came under attack by the US-backed terrorist group "Free Syrian Army" in the summer of 2012, the Syrian-Armenians took up arms to protect their districts inside the city of Aleppo.
Without the Syrian-Armenians in Aleppo, the terrorists would have overrun the historical districts of the provincial capital.
In early 2014, the Syrian National Army’s Central Command formed the civilian-led “National Defense Forces” (NDF) to protect areas where the Syrian Army is absent.
Within a few weeks, the NDF was flooded with recruits from all over Syria, from all factions of society. After al-Qaeda in Syria (aka al-Nusra), the Free Syrian Army, and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham’s attack on the town of Kassab, a town consisting of a majority of Armenians, the National Defense Forces (NDF) received an enormous gain of over 17,000 Armenian volunteers from the city of Aleppo.
The Battle for Kassab
When the Syrian Army recaptured the town of Kassab in late 2014, they were assisted by hundreds of Syrian-Armenian NDF volunteers from Aleppo, who thought of the battle for Kassab as an absolute necessity against the terrorists who were causing another diaspora from what they now consider their homeland.
Defending Aleppo
Together with the Palestinians of Nayrab Refugee Camp, the al-Ba'ath Brigades, National Defense Forces, and the Syrian Army, the Syrian-Armenians have worked inside Aleppo City to defend the provincial capital from a take over by Islamist terrorist groups who want to enforce Islamic Law on Syria.
In June of 2015, the newly formed Islamic Coalition of al-Qaeda groups, called “Ansar al-Halab”, launched a large-scale offensive in west and north Aleppo, capturing territory in the al-Rashideen District after intense fighting with the Syrian Army that last many days.
Thanks to the Syrian-Armenian National Defense Force soldiers, the Islamists were unable to advance at the al-Khalidiyah, al-Azizah, and Suleimaniyeh districts. The Syrian-Armenian NDF soldiers absolutely refused to lose even an inch of ground to the al-Qaeda forces.
The Syrian-Armenians of Aleppo named the Islamist fighters the “Ottoman terrorists”, and this encouraged their people to defend their land from the same forces that conducted the massive genocide of their people in 1915. It was Islamists who committed the Genocide of their people in Turkey. To this day, Aleppo has not completely fallen to the various Islamist groups that attack Aleppo daily--partly due to the fierceness of the Syrian-Armenians in the National Defense Forces.
Since the beginning of the current Syrian War in 2011, the Syrian Armenian community has remained loyal to the Syrian Army and to Syria. They have served on the front lines of every major battle against the Syrian opposition forces.
When Aleppo came under attack by the US-backed terrorist group "Free Syrian Army" in the summer of 2012, the Syrian-Armenians took up arms to protect their districts inside the city of Aleppo.
Without the Syrian-Armenians in Aleppo, the terrorists would have overrun the historical districts of the provincial capital.
In early 2014, the Syrian National Army’s Central Command formed the civilian-led “National Defense Forces” (NDF) to protect areas where the Syrian Army is absent.
Within a few weeks, the NDF was flooded with recruits from all over Syria, from all factions of society. After al-Qaeda in Syria (aka al-Nusra), the Free Syrian Army, and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham’s attack on the town of Kassab, a town consisting of a majority of Armenians, the National Defense Forces (NDF) received an enormous gain of over 17,000 Armenian volunteers from the city of Aleppo.
The Battle for Kassab
When the Syrian Army recaptured the town of Kassab in late 2014, they were assisted by hundreds of Syrian-Armenian NDF volunteers from Aleppo, who thought of the battle for Kassab as an absolute necessity against the terrorists who were causing another diaspora from what they now consider their homeland.
Defending Aleppo
Together with the Palestinians of Nayrab Refugee Camp, the al-Ba'ath Brigades, National Defense Forces, and the Syrian Army, the Syrian-Armenians have worked inside Aleppo City to defend the provincial capital from a take over by Islamist terrorist groups who want to enforce Islamic Law on Syria.
In June of 2015, the newly formed Islamic Coalition of al-Qaeda groups, called “Ansar al-Halab”, launched a large-scale offensive in west and north Aleppo, capturing territory in the al-Rashideen District after intense fighting with the Syrian Army that last many days.
Thanks to the Syrian-Armenian National Defense Force soldiers, the Islamists were unable to advance at the al-Khalidiyah, al-Azizah, and Suleimaniyeh districts. The Syrian-Armenian NDF soldiers absolutely refused to lose even an inch of ground to the al-Qaeda forces.
The Syrian-Armenians of Aleppo named the Islamist fighters the “Ottoman terrorists”, and this encouraged their people to defend their land from the same forces that conducted the massive genocide of their people in 1915. It was Islamists who committed the Genocide of their people in Turkey. To this day, Aleppo has not completely fallen to the various Islamist groups that attack Aleppo daily--partly due to the fierceness of the Syrian-Armenians in the National Defense Forces.
But, we mustn't forget the Assyrians, Syrian-Greeks, and other Syrian minority groups who have also joined the Syrian Army and the National Defense Forces, and who have been fighting the Islamist terrorists and fighting for Syria.
The Syrian people are of various Christian denominations: Syriac Orthodox, Syriac Catholic, Chaldean, Nestorian, Armenian, Protestant, Latin Catholic, Maronite, Greek Orthodox, and Greek Catholics. All of these groups have joined Syrian Armed Forces. Photo below: a priest blessed a troop before they go off to battle
The Syrian people are of various Christian denominations: Syriac Orthodox, Syriac Catholic, Chaldean, Nestorian, Armenian, Protestant, Latin Catholic, Maronite, Greek Orthodox, and Greek Catholics. All of these groups have joined Syrian Armed Forces. Photo below: a priest blessed a troop before they go off to battle
Syrian Women
Syrian women are joining the Army and the National Defense Forces by the thousands. They are against the Islamists not only because it would be the end of Syria if Islamists take over, but because it will be the end of freedom for Syrian women. Syrian women love their rights and personal freedoms and they are willing to fight to the death to keep these freedoms.
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Under the present government and the current constitution all of their rights are protected. Under an Islamic Law system--they will have none.
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Women's Rights in Syria
Under the present government and the current constitution, the equal rights of women are protected. The present Syrian Constitution includes the following in Chapter III, "Social Principles"
Society in the Syrian Arab Republic shall be based on the basis of solidarity, symbiosis and respect for the principles of social justice, freedom, equality and maintenance of human dignity of every individual.
The state shall provide women with all opportunities enabling them to effectively and fully contribute to the political, economic, social and cultural life, and the state shall work on removing any restrictions that prevent their development and participation in building society.
Photos:Syrian women proudly display the ink on their fingers showing that they have voted in the presidential election; a Syrian woman proudly waves a flag representing Syria and that she backed Assad for President; women drive through the street waving Assad banners and posters displaying their support for Assad.
Society in the Syrian Arab Republic shall be based on the basis of solidarity, symbiosis and respect for the principles of social justice, freedom, equality and maintenance of human dignity of every individual.
The state shall provide women with all opportunities enabling them to effectively and fully contribute to the political, economic, social and cultural life, and the state shall work on removing any restrictions that prevent their development and participation in building society.
Photos:Syrian women proudly display the ink on their fingers showing that they have voted in the presidential election; a Syrian woman proudly waves a flag representing Syria and that she backed Assad for President; women drive through the street waving Assad banners and posters displaying their support for Assad.
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The Syrian National Army and the Syrian National Defense Forces
The National Defense Forces
Members of the National Defense Forces are volunteers. They are trained and armed by the Syrian Army to help defend Syria from Islamist attacks and to work in coordination with the Syrian Army during offensives to recapture villages, towns and cities that have been taken by Islamists. They also participate in defensive operations during ISIS attacks. The National Defense Forces play a much needed infantry role, directly fighting against ISIS and Islamist terrorist groups on the ground. They also run counter-insurgency operations in coordination with the army, which provides them logistical and artillery support.
The National Defense Forces (NDF) are often members of Syrian minority groups, such as Christians, Druze, Kurds and Armenians (to name just a few). If not for the help of NDF, Syria would have in all likelihood, fallen to the Islamists who are trying to take over Syria.
The creation of the NDF took place in the summer of 2012 and immediately reached over 50,000 volunteers. One year later, in August of 2013, the number of volunteers had reached well over 100,000. During 2014, as ISIS upped the acts of atrocities on the Syrian people and destroyed some of Syria’s most precious historical and national treasures, there was another massive surge of volunteers. The number of NDF volunteers continues to grow as the battle against Islamist terrorist groups continue.
NDF members primarily operate in their local region, though once trained, members can volunteer to take part in any Army operation. Most prefer to partake in local fighting due to their strong knowledge of the region and personal ties to their own land and community.
The Female section of the NDF is called the “Lionesses of National Defense”. They are trained to use Kalashnikovs, heavy machine guns and grenades. They are also taught to storm and control checkpoints, which are often the first targets of an ISIS or Islamist rebel attack. Syrian women bravely fight for their country on the front lines.
Members of the NDF are reliable, highly motivated, and fiercely loyal to Syria and defending their country and its people. Over the last several years, members have worked their way into important positions of command.
Western media and Islamist propagandists label the National Defense Forces as "pro-government paramilitary". But one must ask, how can the NDF be labeled in such a negative, misleading way? Members of the NDF are Syrian people from all sectors of society fighting for Syria and the protection of its people. Whereas, the Islamic terrorist groups consist primarily of foreign mercenaries trying to take over Syria and form an Islamic Law state of Syria.
Members of the National Defense Forces are volunteers. They are trained and armed by the Syrian Army to help defend Syria from Islamist attacks and to work in coordination with the Syrian Army during offensives to recapture villages, towns and cities that have been taken by Islamists. They also participate in defensive operations during ISIS attacks. The National Defense Forces play a much needed infantry role, directly fighting against ISIS and Islamist terrorist groups on the ground. They also run counter-insurgency operations in coordination with the army, which provides them logistical and artillery support.
The National Defense Forces (NDF) are often members of Syrian minority groups, such as Christians, Druze, Kurds and Armenians (to name just a few). If not for the help of NDF, Syria would have in all likelihood, fallen to the Islamists who are trying to take over Syria.
The creation of the NDF took place in the summer of 2012 and immediately reached over 50,000 volunteers. One year later, in August of 2013, the number of volunteers had reached well over 100,000. During 2014, as ISIS upped the acts of atrocities on the Syrian people and destroyed some of Syria’s most precious historical and national treasures, there was another massive surge of volunteers. The number of NDF volunteers continues to grow as the battle against Islamist terrorist groups continue.
NDF members primarily operate in their local region, though once trained, members can volunteer to take part in any Army operation. Most prefer to partake in local fighting due to their strong knowledge of the region and personal ties to their own land and community.
The Female section of the NDF is called the “Lionesses of National Defense”. They are trained to use Kalashnikovs, heavy machine guns and grenades. They are also taught to storm and control checkpoints, which are often the first targets of an ISIS or Islamist rebel attack. Syrian women bravely fight for their country on the front lines.
Members of the NDF are reliable, highly motivated, and fiercely loyal to Syria and defending their country and its people. Over the last several years, members have worked their way into important positions of command.
Western media and Islamist propagandists label the National Defense Forces as "pro-government paramilitary". But one must ask, how can the NDF be labeled in such a negative, misleading way? Members of the NDF are Syrian people from all sectors of society fighting for Syria and the protection of its people. Whereas, the Islamic terrorist groups consist primarily of foreign mercenaries trying to take over Syria and form an Islamic Law state of Syria.
Brief overview of the history of the Syrian Army:
The Syrian Army officially came into being in 1945 just before Syria obtained full independence from France. Between 1948 and 1967, a series of military coups destroyed the stability of the government.
In March 1949, an army general, Hosni al-Zaim, declared himself president. By the end of 1949, two more military men took power. General Adeeb Shishakli held power the longest, until his overthrown in 1954. Further coups continued. Discipline in the army broke down as commanders pledged loyalty to different political and ethnic groups.
By the late 1950s it was common for Syrian officers to disobey orders from superiors who belonged to a different ethnic or political group. There was another coup in 1963 and again in1966. Finally, by 1967, the Army began to pull itself together and unify and it is at that time that it formed professionalism and a strong sense of Syrian nationalism.
Hafez al-Assad gained power in November 1970 and at that time the army expanded its five divisions by adding ten independent brigades, an artillery rocket brigade, and a reinforced brigade, the 70th Armored Brigade.
Between 1979-1982 the army helped suppress several very violent Muslim Brotherhood uprisings in Aleppo and Hama.
Periodic Muslim Brotherhood rebellions and acts of Islamic terrorism was also occurring in other countries, for example Algeria and Egypt. Algeria eventually suffered a hideous civil war because of Muslim Brotherhood attempting a takeover to enforce Islamic Law. The Algerian civil war ended with religious-based political parties being banned stating that Islam and a democratic government of any type cannot coexist.
Egypt, too, banned religious-based political parties as Islamists were regularly committing violent acts of terror in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Syria, with its Islamist uprisings in 1979-1982 began to ban Islamist political parties and attempted to suppress violent Islamist groups.
The Syrian military is a conscripted force. Males serve in the military at the age of 18. Women are allowed in the armed services and many Syrian women join the army and air forces. Before the start of the 2011 Islamist takeover in Syria, the obligatory military service period was being decreased. In 2005, it had been reduced from two and a half years to two years. In 2008 it was reduced to 21 months. In 2011, it was reduced to 18 months. This reduction was because Syria had been living in peace with its neighbors and the region for many years and felt no need to boost its military.
But later in 2011, as violent Islamist groups began conducting constant terrorist-type attacks on civilian villages, the government enacted new regulations. The first, to immediately combat this new threat, was that citizens who had completed mandatory conscription began being called up for reserve duty to help fight the Islamist attacks.
In October and November 2011, Islamists in Muslim countries who took part in the “Arab Spring”, wanted an enforcement of Islamic Law and an Islamic State in Syria. The "Free Syrian Army" formed at this time and consisted of two primary brigades: the Farouq and the Khalid ibn Walid brigades. The Khalid ibn Walid brigade was funded and armed by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and consisted mostly of foreign Islamist mercenaries.
The Farouq brigade consisted of Salafists (Saudi Arabian Wahhabists), who were armed and funded by Saudi Arabia and were affiliates of al-Qaeda. Starting in 2011, the Free Syrian Army’s Farouq brigade worked in tandem with al-Qaeda in Syria when attacking Christian and Alewite villages in Syria.
The Free Syrian Army’s Farouq brigade, the Salafi group backed by Saudi Arabia, was extremely knowledgeable regarding media and social networking. The group also had experts who produced videos for the television networks of Qatar (al-Jazeera) and Saudi Arabia (al-Arabiya). The propaganda videos they produced were often given to, and used by, Western media.
The Free Syrian Army attacked security forces and soldiers, but also targeted civilian towns and villages in order to seize and control large amounts of territory. As in other countries where an Islamist take over was being attempted; i.e. Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia, foreign Islamist mercenaries came to Syria to participate in the takeover. As their numbers grew, the “Free Syrian Army” continued to attack more civilian areas in an attempt to control as much territory as possible.
Since 2012, the Free Syrian Army has received the majority of their financial backing from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, and at that time, starting in 2012, a vast propaganda machine was created to urge the US and other western countries into supporting the Free Syrian Army and their takeover of Syria.
Also at this time, recognizing the dire straights Syria was in, many thousands of Syrians began joining the various sections of the Syrian Armed Forces to battle the various terrorist armies being funneled into Syria.
The Syrian Army officially came into being in 1945 just before Syria obtained full independence from France. Between 1948 and 1967, a series of military coups destroyed the stability of the government.
In March 1949, an army general, Hosni al-Zaim, declared himself president. By the end of 1949, two more military men took power. General Adeeb Shishakli held power the longest, until his overthrown in 1954. Further coups continued. Discipline in the army broke down as commanders pledged loyalty to different political and ethnic groups.
By the late 1950s it was common for Syrian officers to disobey orders from superiors who belonged to a different ethnic or political group. There was another coup in 1963 and again in1966. Finally, by 1967, the Army began to pull itself together and unify and it is at that time that it formed professionalism and a strong sense of Syrian nationalism.
Hafez al-Assad gained power in November 1970 and at that time the army expanded its five divisions by adding ten independent brigades, an artillery rocket brigade, and a reinforced brigade, the 70th Armored Brigade.
Between 1979-1982 the army helped suppress several very violent Muslim Brotherhood uprisings in Aleppo and Hama.
Periodic Muslim Brotherhood rebellions and acts of Islamic terrorism was also occurring in other countries, for example Algeria and Egypt. Algeria eventually suffered a hideous civil war because of Muslim Brotherhood attempting a takeover to enforce Islamic Law. The Algerian civil war ended with religious-based political parties being banned stating that Islam and a democratic government of any type cannot coexist.
Egypt, too, banned religious-based political parties as Islamists were regularly committing violent acts of terror in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Syria, with its Islamist uprisings in 1979-1982 began to ban Islamist political parties and attempted to suppress violent Islamist groups.
The Syrian military is a conscripted force. Males serve in the military at the age of 18. Women are allowed in the armed services and many Syrian women join the army and air forces. Before the start of the 2011 Islamist takeover in Syria, the obligatory military service period was being decreased. In 2005, it had been reduced from two and a half years to two years. In 2008 it was reduced to 21 months. In 2011, it was reduced to 18 months. This reduction was because Syria had been living in peace with its neighbors and the region for many years and felt no need to boost its military.
But later in 2011, as violent Islamist groups began conducting constant terrorist-type attacks on civilian villages, the government enacted new regulations. The first, to immediately combat this new threat, was that citizens who had completed mandatory conscription began being called up for reserve duty to help fight the Islamist attacks.
In October and November 2011, Islamists in Muslim countries who took part in the “Arab Spring”, wanted an enforcement of Islamic Law and an Islamic State in Syria. The "Free Syrian Army" formed at this time and consisted of two primary brigades: the Farouq and the Khalid ibn Walid brigades. The Khalid ibn Walid brigade was funded and armed by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and consisted mostly of foreign Islamist mercenaries.
The Farouq brigade consisted of Salafists (Saudi Arabian Wahhabists), who were armed and funded by Saudi Arabia and were affiliates of al-Qaeda. Starting in 2011, the Free Syrian Army’s Farouq brigade worked in tandem with al-Qaeda in Syria when attacking Christian and Alewite villages in Syria.
The Free Syrian Army’s Farouq brigade, the Salafi group backed by Saudi Arabia, was extremely knowledgeable regarding media and social networking. The group also had experts who produced videos for the television networks of Qatar (al-Jazeera) and Saudi Arabia (al-Arabiya). The propaganda videos they produced were often given to, and used by, Western media.
The Free Syrian Army attacked security forces and soldiers, but also targeted civilian towns and villages in order to seize and control large amounts of territory. As in other countries where an Islamist take over was being attempted; i.e. Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia, foreign Islamist mercenaries came to Syria to participate in the takeover. As their numbers grew, the “Free Syrian Army” continued to attack more civilian areas in an attempt to control as much territory as possible.
Since 2012, the Free Syrian Army has received the majority of their financial backing from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, and at that time, starting in 2012, a vast propaganda machine was created to urge the US and other western countries into supporting the Free Syrian Army and their takeover of Syria.
Also at this time, recognizing the dire straights Syria was in, many thousands of Syrians began joining the various sections of the Syrian Armed Forces to battle the various terrorist armies being funneled into Syria.
Political Parties in Syria (who can be voted into the Parliament)
Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party (Ba’ath)
The Baʿth Party was founded in 1943 in Damascus, Syria. In 1953 it merged with the Syrian Socialist Party to form the Arab Socialist Baʿth (Renaissance) Party. The Baʿth Party advocated opposition to imperialism and colonialism and its primary platform attempts to dissolve class division. The main opposition threat to the Baʿath party has always been the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood.
The Baʿth Party was founded in 1943 in Damascus, Syria. In 1953 it merged with the Syrian Socialist Party to form the Arab Socialist Baʿth (Renaissance) Party. The Baʿth Party advocated opposition to imperialism and colonialism and its primary platform attempts to dissolve class division. The main opposition threat to the Baʿath party has always been the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood.
Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP)
SSNP is a nationalist party that desires a Syrian nation based on the geographical boundaries of the history of its people. SSNP was founded in Lebanon in 1932 as an anti-colonial, liberation organization that was against French colonialism in Lebanon.
The party was active in resisting the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and the ensuing occupation of southern Lebanon. During that time, the SSNP supported a Syrian presence in Lebanon out of a belief in “national unity” across the natural boundaries of historical Syria.
The SSNP grew in influence in Syria after Syria gained its independence in 1946. It was a major political force after the restoration of democracy in 1954. SSNP was the rival of the Syrian Communist Party as well as the Ba’ath party, which were the two most popular parties at that time.
The SSNP’s stance during the Lebanese Civil War was consistent with that of the Ba'athists, so a reconciliation between the SSNP and the Ba'ath parties developed during that time. During Hafez al-Assad's presidency, the SSNP party was increasingly approved of. This conciliatory relationship with SSNP continues to this day.
Since 2005, due to its growing popularity, the SSNP became an official political party in Syria.
SSNP is a nationalist party that desires a Syrian nation based on the geographical boundaries of the history of its people. SSNP was founded in Lebanon in 1932 as an anti-colonial, liberation organization that was against French colonialism in Lebanon.
The party was active in resisting the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and the ensuing occupation of southern Lebanon. During that time, the SSNP supported a Syrian presence in Lebanon out of a belief in “national unity” across the natural boundaries of historical Syria.
The SSNP grew in influence in Syria after Syria gained its independence in 1946. It was a major political force after the restoration of democracy in 1954. SSNP was the rival of the Syrian Communist Party as well as the Ba’ath party, which were the two most popular parties at that time.
The SSNP’s stance during the Lebanese Civil War was consistent with that of the Ba'athists, so a reconciliation between the SSNP and the Ba'ath parties developed during that time. During Hafez al-Assad's presidency, the SSNP party was increasingly approved of. This conciliatory relationship with SSNP continues to this day.
Since 2005, due to its growing popularity, the SSNP became an official political party in Syria.
The Arab Socialist Movement
The Democratic Arab Socialist Union was established in 1964 by the union of several Syrian movements, with the purpose of working toward pan-Arab unity. In 1979, the party joined the National Democratic Assembly, a coalition of leftist movements.
The largest political parties mentioned above all have the same policy towards the current threat of an Islamic Takeover:
Rejects foreign intervention of any kind.
Rejects arming the opposition Islamist groups.
Political Objectives:
National unity and prevention of the dominance of any single ideology.
Economic reform according to the principles of social justice.
Equality for minority groups.
The Syrian Constitution entails a multi-party system; the above-mentioned parties being the most popular, but there are many other active political parties involved in Syrian government:
The Democratic Arab Socialist Union was established in 1964 by the union of several Syrian movements, with the purpose of working toward pan-Arab unity. In 1979, the party joined the National Democratic Assembly, a coalition of leftist movements.
The largest political parties mentioned above all have the same policy towards the current threat of an Islamic Takeover:
Rejects foreign intervention of any kind.
Rejects arming the opposition Islamist groups.
Political Objectives:
National unity and prevention of the dominance of any single ideology.
Economic reform according to the principles of social justice.
Equality for minority groups.
The Syrian Constitution entails a multi-party system; the above-mentioned parties being the most popular, but there are many other active political parties involved in Syrian government:
Other Political Parties:
National Progressive Front
Syrian Communist Party (Khalid Bakdash section); Syrian Communist Party (Yusuf Faisal section)
Democratic Unionist Party; Democratic People’s Party
Syrian Turkmen Assembly; Syrian Turkmen National Block
Kurdish parties: Kurdistan Democratic party of Syria; Democratic Union Party; Kurdish National Council; Kurdish Future Movement
Banned political parties:
Hizbut al-Tahrir (a very violent ideology demanding an Islamic Law state and Caliphate)
Muslim Brotherhood of Syria (a very violent ideology demanding an Islamic Law state and Caliphate)
National Progressive Front
Syrian Communist Party (Khalid Bakdash section); Syrian Communist Party (Yusuf Faisal section)
Democratic Unionist Party; Democratic People’s Party
Syrian Turkmen Assembly; Syrian Turkmen National Block
Kurdish parties: Kurdistan Democratic party of Syria; Democratic Union Party; Kurdish National Council; Kurdish Future Movement
Banned political parties:
Hizbut al-Tahrir (a very violent ideology demanding an Islamic Law state and Caliphate)
Muslim Brotherhood of Syria (a very violent ideology demanding an Islamic Law state and Caliphate)
The Majority of Syrians Support and Voted for Assad
In the June 2014 presidential election, Assad received 87 percent of the votes. The election had a high turnout of 73 percent. The size of Assad's win blatantly tells the reality: there never was a “popular uprising” against Assad. And--his popularity continues to grow. Only a small minority of Syrians do not want Assad as president and that small minority are primarily members of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood and other offshoot Islamist groups that support Islamic Law and a Caliphate. They do not represent the majority of the Syrian people.
In the June 2014 presidential election, Assad received 87 percent of the votes. The election had a high turnout of 73 percent. The size of Assad's win blatantly tells the reality: there never was a “popular uprising” against Assad. And--his popularity continues to grow. Only a small minority of Syrians do not want Assad as president and that small minority are primarily members of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood and other offshoot Islamist groups that support Islamic Law and a Caliphate. They do not represent the majority of the Syrian people.
These Syrians were not forced to go to Assad rallies. They support Assad, and voted for Assad, and 10's of 1000's of Syrians happily participate in various pro-Assad rallies throughout Syria.
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Western media never shows you the enormous pro-Assad rallies that occur in major cities throughout Syria
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Syria's constitution and government promotes freedoms for Syria's diverse population. It is important to remember that Syria has a long history of taking in refugees from other countries. These populations are allowed to continue their heritage and beliefs, and their political ideals.
Photo Below: The majority of Syrians, no matter their beliefs or historical background--want a free Syria--they do not want Islamic Law. This Syrian, who belongs to Hezbollah, salutes the statue of Jesus because he respects all religions, and most especially Syrian Christianity for its ancient roots in Syria.
Photo Below: The majority of Syrians, no matter their beliefs or historical background--want a free Syria--they do not want Islamic Law. This Syrian, who belongs to Hezbollah, salutes the statue of Jesus because he respects all religions, and most especially Syrian Christianity for its ancient roots in Syria.
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Hezbollah originated in the 1960’s-70’s within the Shi’a community in Lebanon. It originated as an advocate for Shi’a and an entity to give the Shi’a more say in government. Though Hezbollah has altered over the decades, in Syrian Hezbollah is a political party and not a terrorist group. It continues to support the Shi'a community through its political party.
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The Syrians who are members of Hezbollah in Syria are a very small minority group, but worth mentioning here because westerners have the false belief that Hezbollah plays a bigger role in Syria than it actually does. It is a minority group and allowed because all Syrians have the basic freedom of joining any organization or group they choose.
History of Hezbollah in Syria:
In 1974 Hezbollah created the "Movement of the Deprived" to push for better economic and social conditions for the Shi'a in Lebanon. Schools and medical clinics were established for Shi’a throughout Lebanon, many of which are still in operation today. At that time, Hezbollah was a group that advocated social and political reforms.
During the 1980’s, the militant offshoot of Shi'a activism began via Hezbollah. In 1982, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was based in southern Lebanon and fired rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon. Israel invaded Lebanon to evict the PLO, and Hezbollah became an armed organization to expel the Israelis. Iran began backing Hezbollah financially and dispatched 1500 Iranian Revolutionary Guards to fight with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
During the 1980’s Lebanon Civil War, Hezbollah’s goal continued to be to expel Israeli and Western forces from Lebanon. Although Hezbollah battled for control of Shi’a areas and attacked Israel and Israel’s proxies, unlike other wartime militia groups, it never committed sectarian bloodshed.
In 2006, during a Lebanese-Israeli conflict, more than 100,000 Lebanese fled to Syria and eventually became Syrian citizens. Many of these Syrian-Lebanese are Hezbollah members. Since 2012, Hezbollah began participating in the current Syrian War and its fight against Islamic groups who are trying to take control of Syria and enforce Islamic Law.
Because Hezbollah is Shi’a and not Sunni, they desire to repel the Sunni-backed rebels (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey) and their attempt to force Syria to become an Islamic Law state.
Much propaganda by the Sunni rebel social media sites have played up Hezbullah’s participation in the Syrian conflict, knowing that westerners have only a bad opinion of Hezbollah. But Hezbollah in Syria is a sectarian minority group who desires to keep the existing more democratic system of government, and not a Sunni-led Islamic government that would inflict Islamic Law.
Small groups of Hezbollah have participated as part of the National Defense Forces and primarily plays a defensive role within their own Shi’a communities when attacked by Islamists. Occasionally it plays a part in offensive roles in coordination with the Syrian Army. Hezbollah has helped the Syrian Army maintain control of approximately 23 Shi’a villages in which villagers hold Lebanese and Syrian citizenship. These Syrian-Lebanese are basically fighting for their land and their families, similar to Syrian Christians who are doing likewise in villages throughout Syria.
Syria is diverse, and because of this diversity, Syrians want to keep the existing Parliament and Government system, and the current constitution, which keeps all citizens equal. There has always been peace between the diverse communities in Syria. There has never been sectarian fighting. They want to continue these freedoms and the peace they've always had in Syria before the attempted Islamic takeover.
On May 25, 2013, after the US-backed Islamist rebel group, the "Free Syrian Army", had taken the town of Qusair and conducted atrocities on civilians, troops of Lebanese Hezbollah crossed the border into Syria to aid the Syrian Army in trying to recapture Qusair. On televised TV, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of the Lebanese political organization of Hezbollah, stated that Hezbollah is aiding Syria in their fight against Islamists and pledged that his group would not allow Islamic terrorists to gain control. He said, "If Syria falls in the hands of the terrorists, our region will go into a very dark period."
The Battle for Qusair:
One quarter of the population of Qusair was Christian. “Was” is the key word here, as that was the number before the US-backed “Free Syrian Army” attacked the civilian town in spring of 2012, destroyed its churches, and conducted sectarian genocide on the Christian population of Qusair.
The Syrian Army made repeated attempts to rescue the village and save the remaining villagers inside, but it wasn’t until spring of 2013 that the Syrian Army, with the help of Hezbollah, were able to recapture Qasair.
The attack by U.S.-backed terrorist fighters on the 10,000+ Christians of Qusair was meant to be an ethnic cleansing. The churches were destroyed to wipe out any traces of the Christian culture. Many of the Christians suffered beheading, amputations, crucifixions, and other atrocities--atrocities that the "Free Syrian Army" filmed and placed on their social media sites—some were meant to be propaganda to entice more Muslims to join the fight to cleanse Syria of its minority groups.
Soon after, the "Free Syrian Army" then committed another Christian massacre at the village of al-Duwayr, a Christian village close to the city of Homs, where members of the “Free Syrian Army” forcefully entered the homes of Christian families who were all rounded-up in the main square of the village and executed. The U.S.-backed "rebels" did not spare any women and children.
The Syrian Army arrived and fought with the Islamists. These Islamist fighters targeting Christians were mostly Turkish and Chechen. The "Free Syrian Army" is not comprised of Syrians fighting for Syria, it primarily consists of mercenary fighters called on by Egyptian and Syrian Muslim Brotherhood.
The "Free Syrian Army", fighting with and alongside al-Qaeda fighters, continued to engage in ethnic cleansing. They also attack Shi'a and Alewite towns, and Hezbollah helps defend and repel these attacks.
In 1974 Hezbollah created the "Movement of the Deprived" to push for better economic and social conditions for the Shi'a in Lebanon. Schools and medical clinics were established for Shi’a throughout Lebanon, many of which are still in operation today. At that time, Hezbollah was a group that advocated social and political reforms.
During the 1980’s, the militant offshoot of Shi'a activism began via Hezbollah. In 1982, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was based in southern Lebanon and fired rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon. Israel invaded Lebanon to evict the PLO, and Hezbollah became an armed organization to expel the Israelis. Iran began backing Hezbollah financially and dispatched 1500 Iranian Revolutionary Guards to fight with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
During the 1980’s Lebanon Civil War, Hezbollah’s goal continued to be to expel Israeli and Western forces from Lebanon. Although Hezbollah battled for control of Shi’a areas and attacked Israel and Israel’s proxies, unlike other wartime militia groups, it never committed sectarian bloodshed.
In 2006, during a Lebanese-Israeli conflict, more than 100,000 Lebanese fled to Syria and eventually became Syrian citizens. Many of these Syrian-Lebanese are Hezbollah members. Since 2012, Hezbollah began participating in the current Syrian War and its fight against Islamic groups who are trying to take control of Syria and enforce Islamic Law.
Because Hezbollah is Shi’a and not Sunni, they desire to repel the Sunni-backed rebels (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey) and their attempt to force Syria to become an Islamic Law state.
Much propaganda by the Sunni rebel social media sites have played up Hezbullah’s participation in the Syrian conflict, knowing that westerners have only a bad opinion of Hezbollah. But Hezbollah in Syria is a sectarian minority group who desires to keep the existing more democratic system of government, and not a Sunni-led Islamic government that would inflict Islamic Law.
Small groups of Hezbollah have participated as part of the National Defense Forces and primarily plays a defensive role within their own Shi’a communities when attacked by Islamists. Occasionally it plays a part in offensive roles in coordination with the Syrian Army. Hezbollah has helped the Syrian Army maintain control of approximately 23 Shi’a villages in which villagers hold Lebanese and Syrian citizenship. These Syrian-Lebanese are basically fighting for their land and their families, similar to Syrian Christians who are doing likewise in villages throughout Syria.
Syria is diverse, and because of this diversity, Syrians want to keep the existing Parliament and Government system, and the current constitution, which keeps all citizens equal. There has always been peace between the diverse communities in Syria. There has never been sectarian fighting. They want to continue these freedoms and the peace they've always had in Syria before the attempted Islamic takeover.
On May 25, 2013, after the US-backed Islamist rebel group, the "Free Syrian Army", had taken the town of Qusair and conducted atrocities on civilians, troops of Lebanese Hezbollah crossed the border into Syria to aid the Syrian Army in trying to recapture Qusair. On televised TV, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of the Lebanese political organization of Hezbollah, stated that Hezbollah is aiding Syria in their fight against Islamists and pledged that his group would not allow Islamic terrorists to gain control. He said, "If Syria falls in the hands of the terrorists, our region will go into a very dark period."
The Battle for Qusair:
One quarter of the population of Qusair was Christian. “Was” is the key word here, as that was the number before the US-backed “Free Syrian Army” attacked the civilian town in spring of 2012, destroyed its churches, and conducted sectarian genocide on the Christian population of Qusair.
The Syrian Army made repeated attempts to rescue the village and save the remaining villagers inside, but it wasn’t until spring of 2013 that the Syrian Army, with the help of Hezbollah, were able to recapture Qasair.
The attack by U.S.-backed terrorist fighters on the 10,000+ Christians of Qusair was meant to be an ethnic cleansing. The churches were destroyed to wipe out any traces of the Christian culture. Many of the Christians suffered beheading, amputations, crucifixions, and other atrocities--atrocities that the "Free Syrian Army" filmed and placed on their social media sites—some were meant to be propaganda to entice more Muslims to join the fight to cleanse Syria of its minority groups.
Soon after, the "Free Syrian Army" then committed another Christian massacre at the village of al-Duwayr, a Christian village close to the city of Homs, where members of the “Free Syrian Army” forcefully entered the homes of Christian families who were all rounded-up in the main square of the village and executed. The U.S.-backed "rebels" did not spare any women and children.
The Syrian Army arrived and fought with the Islamists. These Islamist fighters targeting Christians were mostly Turkish and Chechen. The "Free Syrian Army" is not comprised of Syrians fighting for Syria, it primarily consists of mercenary fighters called on by Egyptian and Syrian Muslim Brotherhood.
The "Free Syrian Army", fighting with and alongside al-Qaeda fighters, continued to engage in ethnic cleansing. They also attack Shi'a and Alewite towns, and Hezbollah helps defend and repel these attacks.
Syria’s Palestinian Liberation Army (PLA)
It is confusing to westerners that Syria includes minority groups, such as Hezbollah or PLA members, in their concept of equality. But again, Syria has accepted refugees from various countries and has tried to provide them with equality and the freedom to continue their own heritage and belief systems, and, the freedom to participate in various organizations and to form political parties so they can participate in government.
Isn't this basically what the western coalition is promoting for Syria--freedoms and equality? Or do they only want an Islamist takeover and the enforcement of Islamic Law and theocracy as the the "opposition", "rebel" terrorist groups and ISIS all have stated as their goals?
Background on the PLA
There were no borders between today's Israel and Syria during the first part of the 20th century. There has always been an economic and social relationship between Syrians and Palestinians. Syrians participated in the Revolution of 1936 and also tried to stop the formation of the state of Israel in 1948, which resulted in the exodus of Palestinians. Palestinians migrated to other "Arab" countries, and with Syria being right next door, Syria received a very large number of Palestinian refugees--both Christian and Muslim refugees.
As Palestinians migrated into Syria, Syria gave them legal residence (many Arab countries did not, and Palestinians found themselves both without a country and without passports or documents). Syria also guaranteed them a standard of living and established territories within Syria and guaranteed them their right to preserve their national identity. Palestinians became Syrians as far as rights and duties, but remained "Palestinian" in identity--if they chose to do so.
Palestinians contributed in the building of Syria when she gained her independence from France, and Palestinians were equal in all ways as far as job opportunities, education, and so forth. Palestinians slipped right into Syrian society and became professionals, academics and businessmen, farmers and land owners.
The only separation that occurred was for those who chose to remain in the refugee camps. Palestinians did not have to stay in camps, the camps were meant as a transition living space, but many remained in these camps, formed neighborhoods and maintained the camps by their own choice. These camps were not restricted to the poor or homeless; they became complex neighborhoods with extreme diversity and open to all. Non-Palestinian Syrians also chose to move to and reside in the camps, and the camps became integrated into the surrounding neighborhoods and more like villages and towns.
The "camps" continue to exist and are now diverse populations--though primarily Palestinian.
Palestinians became involved in politics, have positions in the Ba’ath Party, the Arab Nationalist Movement, Muslim Brotherhood, Hizb al-Tahrir al-Islami (Islamic Liberation Party), and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP). Hizb al-Tahrir and Muslim Brotherhood were eventually banned due to their violent activity and acts of terrorism.
Like all Syrians, Palestinians can choose what (legal) party or group they wish to belong to or support. They helped create policies and programs within these parties and organizations, and hold senior positions in government.
When Syria gained its independence and created an army, Palestinians participated. Young Palestinian men from cities throughout Syria volunteered and eventually trained as officers. After August of 1950, Palestinians in the army were granted full Syrian nationality. Today, Palestinians are drafted like any Syrian, or can enlist. They have equality in rights and duties and can reach the highest ranks.
The Palestinian National Movement in Syria
Palestinians were integrated into Syrian national and political parties until the 1960s when the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was created. The PLO created the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA). Syria allowed Palestinian officers to transfer to the PLA. From then on, most Palestinians took military service with the PLA rather than the Syrian Army.
"Resistance" groups against Israel were allowed in Syria from 1967-1970. They were allowed to have training camps in Syria. The majority of the Ba’ath party leaders were in favor of supporting the resistance against Israel, but the defense minister at the time, Hafez al-Assad (father of Bashar al-Assad), opposed military action against Israel. Hafez al-Assad eventually became president in November 1970.
In 1974, Hafez Assad signed the "Separation of Forces Agreement". The Agreement states that Syria would stop military action against Israel. This agreement is still in force. Palestinian groups in Syria also agreed to abide by this agreement.
In 1982, Israel and Lebanon had conflicts resulting in Hezbollah taking control of South Lebanon. In 1983, Assad stopped al-Fatah, a PLO militant group, from operating in Syria. After that time, Palestinian groups have been limited in their political involvement. They were allowed to continue their military training, but the only weapons allowed to them were for guarding offices or kept in the training camps. Also, each weapon was recorded and kept track of via the department of military intelligence.
Assad tried to control armed factions of Palestinian resistance groups in Syria.
Because Assad put limitations on arming Palestinian militias, Yasser Arafat, founder and leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), ended his relationship with President Assad and afterwards there was much hostility between the two.
The PLO, PLA and the Syrian "War"
Syrian Palestinians have kept a good relationship with all aspects of the Syrian government. There are offshoot groups of PLO, some participate and have a voice in government: the Palestinian People’s Party; the Palestinian Democratic Movement; and the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front. As mentioned previously, Syria's constitution allows all groups to be represented.
Hamas, the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, has maintained its relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, who is a primary factor in the current Islamist problem in Syria. During Egypt’s Revolution, Mohammad Morsi was in prison for acts of terrorism. Hamas broke into the prison with heavily armed vehicles, killing prison guards, and broke Morsi out of prison. The “Arab Spring” in Egypt was an Islamist Spring, led by the Muslim Brotherhood. After Morsi took power, he gave several televised speeches instructing the Muslim Brotherhood to participate in the take down of Assad and to help create an Islamic State and a Caliphate in Syria and Iraq.
The Muslim Brotherhood has not tried to hide their intentions in Syria.
Meanwhile, totally opposed to the idea of an Islamic State of Syria, the Palestinian Liberation Army (PLA) declared its support for the present Syrian government.
THE SYRIAN CONSTITUTION protects the rights of all Syrian Citizens
Highlights of the Syrian Constitution (excerpts of main articles)
Political Principles
Article 1
The Syrian Arab Republic is a democratic state with full sovereignty, indivisible, and may not waive any part of its territory.
Article 2
The system of governance in the state shall be a republican system; Sovereignty is an attribute of the people; and no individual or group may claim sovereignty. Sovereignty shall be based on the principle of the rule of the people by the people and for the people.
Article 3
The State shall respect all religions, and ensure the freedom to perform all the rituals that do not prejudice public order; The personal status of religious communities shall be protected and respected.
Article 7
The constitutional oath shall be as follows: “I swear by the Almighty God to respect the country’s constitution, laws and Republican system, to look after the interests and freedoms of the people, to safeguard the homeland’s sovereignty, independence, freedom and to defend its territorial integrity and to act in order to achieve social justice and the unity of the Arab Nation”.
Article 8
1. The political system of the state shall be based on the principle of political pluralism, and exercising power democratically through the ballot box;
2. Licensed political parties and constituencies shall contribute to the national political life, and shall respect the principles of national sovereignty and democracy;
3. The law shall regulate the provisions and procedures related to the formation of political parties;
4. Carrying out any political activity or forming any political parties or groupings on the basis of religious, sectarian, tribal, regional, class-based, professional, or on discrimination based on gender, origin, race or color may not be undertaken;
5. Public office or public money may not be exploited for a political, electoral or party interest.
Article 9
As a national heritage that promotes national unity in the framework of territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Constitution shall guarantee the protection of cultural diversity of the Syrian society with all its components and the multiplicity of its tributaries.
Article 10
Public organizations, professional unions and associations shall be bodies that group citizens in order to develop society and attain the interests of its members. The State shall guarantee the independence of these bodies and the right to exercise public control and participation in various sectors and councils defined in laws; in areas which achieve their objectives, and in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed by law.
Article 11
The army and the armed forces shall be a national institution responsible for defending the security of the homeland and its territorial integrity. This institution shall be in the service of the people’s interests and the protection of its objectives and national security.
Article 12
Democratically elected councils at the national or local level shall be institutions through which citizens exercise their role in sovereignty, state-building and leading society.
Chapter III Social Principles
Article 19
Society in the Syrian Arab Republic shall be based on the basis of solidarity, symbiosis and respect for the principles of social justice, freedom, equality and maintenance of human dignity of every individual.
Article 20
1. The family shall be the nucleus of society and the law shall maintain its existence and strengthen its ties;
2. The state shall protect and encourage marriage, and shall work on removing material and social obstacles that hinder it. The state shall also protect maternity and childhood, take care of young children and youth and provide the suitable conditions for the development of their talents.
Article 23
The state shall provide women with all opportunities enabling them to effectively and fully contribute to the political, economic, social and cultural life, and the state shall work on removing the restrictions that prevent their development and participation in building society.
Article 24
The state shall shoulder, in solidarity with the community, the burdens resulting from natural disasters.
Article 25
Education, health and social services shall be the basic pillars for building society, and the state shall work on achieving balanced development among all regions of the Syrian Arab Republic.
Title II Rights, Freedoms and the Rule of Law
Chapter I Rights and Freedoms
Article 33
1. Freedom shall be a sacred right and the state shall guarantee the personal freedom of citizens and preserve their dignity and security;
2. Citizenship shall be a fundamental principle which involves rights and duties enjoyed by every citizen and exercised according to law;
3. Citizens shall be equal in rights and duties without discrimination among them on grounds of sex, origin, language, religion or creed;
4. The state shall guarantee the principle of equal opportunities among citizens.
Article 34
Every citizen shall have the right to participate in the political, economic, social and cultural life and the law shall regulate this.
Article 35
Every citizen shall be subjected to the duty of respecting the Constitution and laws.
Article 36
1. The inviolability of private life shall be protected by the law;
2. Houses shall not be entered or inspected except by an order of the competent judicial authority in the cases prescribed by law.
Article 37
Confidentiality of postal correspondence, telecommunications and radio and other communication shall be guaranteed in accordance with the law.
Article 38
1. No citizen may be deported from the country, or prevented from returning to it;
2. No citizen may be extradited to any foreign entity;
3. Every citizen shall have the right to move in or leave the territory of the state, unless prevented by a decision from the competent court or the public prosecution office or in accordance with the laws of public health and safety.
Article 39
Political refugees shall not be extradited because of their political beliefs or for their defense of freedom.
Article 40
1. Work shall be a right and a duty for every citizen, and the state shall endeavor to provide for all citizens, and the law shall organize work, its conditions and the workers’ rights;
2. Each worker shall have a fair wage according to the quality and output of the work; this wage shall be no less than the minimum wage that ensures the requirements of living and changes in living conditions;
3. The state shall guarantee social and health security of workers.
Article 41
Payment of taxes, fees and public costs shall be a duty in accordance with the law.
Article 42
1. Freedom of belief shall be protected in accordance with the law;
2. Every citizen shall have the right to freely and openly express his views whether in writing or orally or by all other means of expression.
Article 43
The state shall guarantee freedom of the press, printing and publishing, the media and its independence in accordance with the law.
Article 44
Citizens shall have the right to assemble, peacefully demonstrate and to strike from work within the framework of the Constitution principles, and the law shall regulate the exercise of these rights.
Article 45
Freedom of forming associations and unions shall be based on a national basis, for lawful purposes and by peaceful means which are guaranteed in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed by law.
Article 46
1. Compulsory military service shall be a sacred duty and is regulated by a law;
2. Defending the territorial integrity of the homeland and maintaining the secrets of state shall be a duty of every citizen.
Article 47
The state shall guarantee the protection of national unity, and the citizens’ duty is to maintain it.
Article 48
The law shall regulate the Syrian Arab citizenship.
Article 49
Election and referendum are the right and duty of the citizens and the law shall regulate their exercise.
Chapter II The Rule of Law
Article 50
The rule of law shall be the basis of governance in the state.
Article 51
2. Every defendant shall be presumed innocent until convicted by a final court ruling in a fair trial;
3. The right to conduct litigation and remedies, review, and the defense before the judiciary shall be protected by the law, and the state shall guarantee legal aid to those who are incapable to do so, in accordance with the law;
Article 53
1. No one may be investigated or arrested, except under an order or decision issued by the competent judicial authority, or if he was arrested in the case of being caught in the act, or with intent to bring him to the judicial authorities on charges of committing a felony or misdemeanor;
2. No one may be tortured or treated in a humiliating manner, and the law shall define the punishment for those who do so;
3. Any person who is arrested must be informed of the reasons for his arrest and his rights, and may not be incarcerated in front of the administrative authority except by an order of the competent judicial authority;
4. Every person sentenced by a final ruling, carried out his sentence and the ruling proved wrong shall have the right to ask the state for compensation for the damage he suffered.
Article 54
Any assault on individual freedom, on the inviolability of private life or any other rights and public freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution shall be considered a punishable crime by the law.
Political Principles
Article 1
The Syrian Arab Republic is a democratic state with full sovereignty, indivisible, and may not waive any part of its territory.
Article 2
The system of governance in the state shall be a republican system; Sovereignty is an attribute of the people; and no individual or group may claim sovereignty. Sovereignty shall be based on the principle of the rule of the people by the people and for the people.
Article 3
The State shall respect all religions, and ensure the freedom to perform all the rituals that do not prejudice public order; The personal status of religious communities shall be protected and respected.
Article 7
The constitutional oath shall be as follows: “I swear by the Almighty God to respect the country’s constitution, laws and Republican system, to look after the interests and freedoms of the people, to safeguard the homeland’s sovereignty, independence, freedom and to defend its territorial integrity and to act in order to achieve social justice and the unity of the Arab Nation”.
Article 8
1. The political system of the state shall be based on the principle of political pluralism, and exercising power democratically through the ballot box;
2. Licensed political parties and constituencies shall contribute to the national political life, and shall respect the principles of national sovereignty and democracy;
3. The law shall regulate the provisions and procedures related to the formation of political parties;
4. Carrying out any political activity or forming any political parties or groupings on the basis of religious, sectarian, tribal, regional, class-based, professional, or on discrimination based on gender, origin, race or color may not be undertaken;
5. Public office or public money may not be exploited for a political, electoral or party interest.
Article 9
As a national heritage that promotes national unity in the framework of territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Constitution shall guarantee the protection of cultural diversity of the Syrian society with all its components and the multiplicity of its tributaries.
Article 10
Public organizations, professional unions and associations shall be bodies that group citizens in order to develop society and attain the interests of its members. The State shall guarantee the independence of these bodies and the right to exercise public control and participation in various sectors and councils defined in laws; in areas which achieve their objectives, and in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed by law.
Article 11
The army and the armed forces shall be a national institution responsible for defending the security of the homeland and its territorial integrity. This institution shall be in the service of the people’s interests and the protection of its objectives and national security.
Article 12
Democratically elected councils at the national or local level shall be institutions through which citizens exercise their role in sovereignty, state-building and leading society.
Chapter III Social Principles
Article 19
Society in the Syrian Arab Republic shall be based on the basis of solidarity, symbiosis and respect for the principles of social justice, freedom, equality and maintenance of human dignity of every individual.
Article 20
1. The family shall be the nucleus of society and the law shall maintain its existence and strengthen its ties;
2. The state shall protect and encourage marriage, and shall work on removing material and social obstacles that hinder it. The state shall also protect maternity and childhood, take care of young children and youth and provide the suitable conditions for the development of their talents.
Article 23
The state shall provide women with all opportunities enabling them to effectively and fully contribute to the political, economic, social and cultural life, and the state shall work on removing the restrictions that prevent their development and participation in building society.
Article 24
The state shall shoulder, in solidarity with the community, the burdens resulting from natural disasters.
Article 25
Education, health and social services shall be the basic pillars for building society, and the state shall work on achieving balanced development among all regions of the Syrian Arab Republic.
Title II Rights, Freedoms and the Rule of Law
Chapter I Rights and Freedoms
Article 33
1. Freedom shall be a sacred right and the state shall guarantee the personal freedom of citizens and preserve their dignity and security;
2. Citizenship shall be a fundamental principle which involves rights and duties enjoyed by every citizen and exercised according to law;
3. Citizens shall be equal in rights and duties without discrimination among them on grounds of sex, origin, language, religion or creed;
4. The state shall guarantee the principle of equal opportunities among citizens.
Article 34
Every citizen shall have the right to participate in the political, economic, social and cultural life and the law shall regulate this.
Article 35
Every citizen shall be subjected to the duty of respecting the Constitution and laws.
Article 36
1. The inviolability of private life shall be protected by the law;
2. Houses shall not be entered or inspected except by an order of the competent judicial authority in the cases prescribed by law.
Article 37
Confidentiality of postal correspondence, telecommunications and radio and other communication shall be guaranteed in accordance with the law.
Article 38
1. No citizen may be deported from the country, or prevented from returning to it;
2. No citizen may be extradited to any foreign entity;
3. Every citizen shall have the right to move in or leave the territory of the state, unless prevented by a decision from the competent court or the public prosecution office or in accordance with the laws of public health and safety.
Article 39
Political refugees shall not be extradited because of their political beliefs or for their defense of freedom.
Article 40
1. Work shall be a right and a duty for every citizen, and the state shall endeavor to provide for all citizens, and the law shall organize work, its conditions and the workers’ rights;
2. Each worker shall have a fair wage according to the quality and output of the work; this wage shall be no less than the minimum wage that ensures the requirements of living and changes in living conditions;
3. The state shall guarantee social and health security of workers.
Article 41
Payment of taxes, fees and public costs shall be a duty in accordance with the law.
Article 42
1. Freedom of belief shall be protected in accordance with the law;
2. Every citizen shall have the right to freely and openly express his views whether in writing or orally or by all other means of expression.
Article 43
The state shall guarantee freedom of the press, printing and publishing, the media and its independence in accordance with the law.
Article 44
Citizens shall have the right to assemble, peacefully demonstrate and to strike from work within the framework of the Constitution principles, and the law shall regulate the exercise of these rights.
Article 45
Freedom of forming associations and unions shall be based on a national basis, for lawful purposes and by peaceful means which are guaranteed in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed by law.
Article 46
1. Compulsory military service shall be a sacred duty and is regulated by a law;
2. Defending the territorial integrity of the homeland and maintaining the secrets of state shall be a duty of every citizen.
Article 47
The state shall guarantee the protection of national unity, and the citizens’ duty is to maintain it.
Article 48
The law shall regulate the Syrian Arab citizenship.
Article 49
Election and referendum are the right and duty of the citizens and the law shall regulate their exercise.
Chapter II The Rule of Law
Article 50
The rule of law shall be the basis of governance in the state.
Article 51
2. Every defendant shall be presumed innocent until convicted by a final court ruling in a fair trial;
3. The right to conduct litigation and remedies, review, and the defense before the judiciary shall be protected by the law, and the state shall guarantee legal aid to those who are incapable to do so, in accordance with the law;
Article 53
1. No one may be investigated or arrested, except under an order or decision issued by the competent judicial authority, or if he was arrested in the case of being caught in the act, or with intent to bring him to the judicial authorities on charges of committing a felony or misdemeanor;
2. No one may be tortured or treated in a humiliating manner, and the law shall define the punishment for those who do so;
3. Any person who is arrested must be informed of the reasons for his arrest and his rights, and may not be incarcerated in front of the administrative authority except by an order of the competent judicial authority;
4. Every person sentenced by a final ruling, carried out his sentence and the ruling proved wrong shall have the right to ask the state for compensation for the damage he suffered.
Article 54
Any assault on individual freedom, on the inviolability of private life or any other rights and public freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution shall be considered a punishable crime by the law.