Druze stronghold in predicament: Opposition Member

Reporting by Sarah Abdul Hai; Writing by Dani Murad

(Zaman Al Wasl)- It has become clear that the new international shifts relating to the elimination of the "Islamic state" are bringing a major change on the Syrian scene, both military and political, but to what extent this change will be beneficial to the Syrians in supporting their revolution, starting from unifying FSA ranks under the "National Army ",to adopting one political stance that combines the remains of the Syrian opposition which has so far proved its failure in finding a political solution that achieves the revolution’s objectives of dignity and freedom.

Under the current circumstances, it’s necessary for the Syrian decision to be independent politically and militarily from any foreign interferences or involvements, which contributed in one way or another in the longevity of the Syrian crisis at the expense of the Syrians’ blood, and was one of the reasons for their humiliation and displacement, in addition to that, the national political and military forces should unite their efforts in coordination with some Arabic forces to accelerate the end of this war and eliminate the "Islamic State," because the less time the crisis takes ,the less humanitarian suffering Syrians will face.

But the question raised by most Syrians in the light of the recent international developments, what are the best political ways to save them and open new horizons to achieve the goals they revolted for?.

In this context, Zaman Al Wasl interviewed Jaber al-Shoufi, a member in the Syrian Coalition and “Damascus Declaration”, and one of the most prominent politicians who had clear views of the war on the Islamic State “IS”, and explicitly expressed his opinion of what is happening in the governorate of “Sweida” and the dangers of extremism that are threatening the city.

A full transcript of the interview follows:

The international decision to combat terrorism in Iraq and Syria, has reflected on the internal situation in Syria, manifesting in the unification of many military units and their tendency to adopt a moderate approach, is the same development apply on the internal political situation of Syria, and how so?

“All opposition political forces should meet in a conference, on the largest scale possible ,that everyone now believe it should take place, to agree on one methodology of work for the next stage ,which is the stage of “war on terrorism”, starting with eradicating the military, financial and ideological infrastructure of terrorist organizations, prevent the constant infiltration of terrorists across the open borders, disturb their incubators and close it forever ,and that can be achieved through a thoughtful systematic and integrated approach to uproot terrorism forever.

Moreover, the political opposition forces should end the phase of division and dependence on other governments, play their roles in the next stage alongside the international coalition in combating and defeating the forces of darkness, and force this alliance to make systematic strikes in accordance with the national appropriate standards, which are determined by Syrians’ interests of obtaining freedom and not against it, to eventually allow Syrians to have their free country, the state of law and justice.

The participants in this conferees might agree on the most important items during fighting "IS" and the forces of extremism, which are:

-Rejecting any kind of coordination with Assad’s regime, and forcing it to accept a political solution in accordance with Geneva conventions, which have been revived again by the new envoy “Mitsora”.

- “War on terrorism” should be against all types of terrorism regardless of any religion or sect, and that includes the extremist Shiite forces and state’s organized terrorism.

-The prolongation of the war and using only air strikes will increase Syrians’ suffering, therefore it’s inevitable to involve Arab forces formed according to a decision from the Arab League, as well as the participation of FSA and moderate factions to surround “IS” from the ground and air , and terminate it logistically and military.

-Limiting the battle geographically to minimize as possible the civilian casualties and damages, and involving the opposition in the political and military action to prove their credibility and commitment to serve the aspirations of the Syrian people, in order to overcome the difficulties and achieve the revolution’s goals of freedom, justice and democracy”.

-Do you believe that overthrowing the regime with all its symbols is still possible under the current political reality?

“The repercussions of the Syrian case, including regime’s methods of sectarian cleansing atrocities, displacement, sieges of starvation, its open sectarian strategy on regional powers, using forces of darkness “IS” in its interest, its constant attempts to hinder any political solutions including Geneva 2, while conducting a farce presidential elections to its brainwashed followers, all of that made it impossible to only accept the withdrawal of head of the regime “Bashar Al Assad”, because what is needed is the departure of all criminals and murderers in this regime , and the establishment of a political change that Syrians aspire to .

However, that doesn’t mean that all political figures in the former regime are rejected, especially those who are not involved in corruption and shedding Syrians’ blood, and in general any proposed solutions require a detailed and accurate study to agree upon, because talking in generalities, only suggests a direction, but it doesn’t provide a possibility to discuss the solutions”.

- Is a political Syrian solution similar to the Iraqi formula still possible, summarized by the dismissal of al-Maliki, with all its political considerations?

“No Iraqi solution can be tailored for the Syrian case because every country has different circumstances”.

- Is it time for the emergence of a national political Syrian institution with a unified aspirations and political solution free of contradictions?

“This matter has been much delayed and we paid the price in more displacement, mascaras and destruction, and a further humiliation of Syrians in their own country and countries of asylum, and there is no doubt that building a political institution in Syria that represents Syrians aspirations of freedom and political change is one of the most important challenges of this stage.

Moreover, This change will eliminate division among opposition rows and loyalty to other countries, enable them to have an independent national Syrian decision, and be part of the international community in all areas of representations and leadership of the national struggle. We’ve suffered a lot because of the cockfighting and swaggering of some individuals who cling to their positions of power until they decay”.

- Do you believe that political blocs, groupings and traditional parties, including "Damascus Declaration" are able to play some role in the next phase?

“In the path of blood, conflict, tyranny, and the sound of bullets and destruction, not only politics have been marginalize, but all civil and popular activities have been affected, causing great damage to the revolution and forcing it to depend on money and political sectarian arms which are supported from abroad.

Obviously, in any struggle whether internal or external, the political solution is always money, because the military solution has kidnapped the revolution and changed its track, imposing non-national agendas on it (Emirate - caliphate -dwylah), and therefore we must return to the politics of reason, the jest of wisdom and compatibility of civil community, in which all political and civil forces have roles in Syria’s future.

And despite the pressure and restrictions imposed for along time on "Damascus Declaration for Democratic Change" it hasn’t hesitated to support the revolution and commit to its goals, and was one of the missionaries and advocates since its statement before the ignition of the revolution on 25/2/2011.

But the most important problem now is that there are no genuine political forces with a modern intellectual structure, and what have been established so far, haven’t proved their presence in Syria, therefore all political forces of civil society and revolutionary movements should participate together to achieve a political change and update the existing political structures, and that cant be achieved until the return of normal democratic life and stability of our country”.

- How do you see the situation in Sweida under the repeated attacks by the extremist groups? Can the religious establishment of “Druze” by itslef save the governorate from its predicament and maintain its national affiliation away from sectarianism?

“The situation in Sweida is different to a large extent from other Syrian cities, and since the beginning of the Syrian revolution, we have called the city to take its role in the political scene, because its absence from the Syrian crisis, will jeopardize its fate to multiple and unknown possibilities, on top of that regime’s manipulations, and the crimes of shabiha and extremist forces, in addition to some nomadic uncontrolled groups. Yet all of that does not absolve the responsibility of regime’s agents, nor does it absolve those who see the situation through a narrow perspective, through the eyes of the Syrian Druze.

Therefore, certain social efforts should be exerted in the city to communicate with the Bedouins and others to reach agreements and draw everyone's attention to the importance of security and safety, in addition to immunizing them against any penetrations from the regime, but before all of that, a kind of solidarity in the mountain of Druze should be achieved in order to prevent regime’s dirty manipulation to stir discord among brothers and provoke them to kill each other.

Unfortunately, this matter has been discussed with the religious and social representatives of the city, with no success at all, because of their loyalty and dependence on Assad’s regime, so its our mission to expose these agents to the people to limit their effect, and give a chance to individuals who have real wisdom and credibility to find solutions that protect the mountain from any attack, and prevent its youth from attacking others.

Violations can easily be stooped through the role of wise clergy men, by prohibiting fighting with the regime or with others, because prevention procedures are always better than being dragged behind a sectarian war,

We should work for the civil peace and good neighborliness, to avoid the blood shed of all parties, and certainly the traditional religious and social authority, the revolutionary movements and representatives of the civil society, all have an important role in building new free Syria for all people”, he concluded.