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The State of Tension in Syria: Civil Peace on a Burning Hot Plate
Syria is currently living under a new government that sparks widespread controversy, with voices of public anger rising, especially among those who consider themselves “the revolution’s children” and the families of victims and the disappeared. There are growing fears of an imminent social explosion amid strong condemnation of the release of members of the Assad regime’s forces—without trials or accountabilityand the ongoing release of criminals and those involved in the bloodshed of the Syrian people.
In recent months, with the activation of the reconciliation policy adopted by the regime, what is known as “civil peace” has emergedespecially after the massacres in the coast region last March, which were a response to attacks by regime remnants. However, this 'peace' has begun to trend toward internal escalation, as figures associated with the regime and individuals involved in crimes against the people are featured prominently again. Repeated releases from regime prisons continue without accountability.
While a limited number of detainees and missing persons remain in regime prisons—including the escape of senior officers and criminals—there is deep shock among hundreds of thousands of their families, who remain unaware of their loved ones’ fate. Calls for “transitional justice” are increasing to ensure the fair treatment of victims and to achieve just accountability, as is common in countries undergoing transitional justice after wars.
Yet, what is happening now, according to most revolution supporters, evokes dissatisfaction and fuels frustration. The release of war criminals and those involved in bloodshed continues, amid a sense of risking the right course. This is especially concerning with the appearance of figures known for their involvement in Syrian blood and their current promotion of “civil peace” plans. They receive security protection, while many criminals’ files are still called upon and kept in limbo.
The emergence of controversial figures like Fadi Saqr and others from the old regime, along with the return of major merchants and well-known war criminals, aggravates a state of popular provocation—especially with the ongoing lack of accountability and the absence of clear mechanisms to punish criminals, leading to a rise in individual anger and retaliatory acts in areas like Aleppo, Damascus, Latakia, and Tartus. This deepens the phenomena of chaos and widespread crime.
In a related context, human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch warn that the limited powers granted to the National Transitional Justice Commission hinder the chances of achieving justice for victims. They call on the Syrian government to expand community participation and ensure transparency in procedures to enhance the credibility of judicial and legal processes.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights also issued a report recommending legal reforms to enable the commission to operate independently, warning that executive approvals may weaken its effectiveness. They point to international experiences indicating that executive decisions are often less legitimate and effective than those issued through laws.
While Damascus has issued two laws to establish the Transitional Justice and Disappeared Authorities, headed by President Ahmed al-Shirsh, to investigate past violations, the international community and human rights organizations closely monitor the situation. The Syrian arena continues to suffer from deep dissatisfaction and fears of social explosion if policies do not change, selective releases cease, and justice remains absent.
Amid all this, the Syrian street emphasizes that neglecting justice and the accountability of criminals—fairly and transparently—threatens to prolong divisions and tensions. It also renders the issue of reconciliation a distant dream unless the rights of the people and their blood are placed at the forefront of national priorities.
