23. Jänner 2025

Kurzbeschreibungen zu den in dieser Anfragebeantwortung verwendeten Quellen sowie Ausschnitte mit Informationen aus diesen Quellen finden Sie im Anhang.

Die Nationale Koalition der syrischen Revolutions- und Oppositionskräfte

Ziele

Auf einem Beitrag ihrer eigenen Webseite vom Oktober 2012 gibt die Nationale Koalition der syrischen Revolutions- und Oppositionskräfte (ab jetzt: Nationale Koalition) an, dass sich die Oppositionsfraktionen mit dem Ziel zusammengeschlossen hätten, die Regierung Baschar Al-Assads zu stürzen. Die Nationale Koalition wolle die Oppositionsfraktionen führen, mobilisieren, das Volk unterstützen und stärken und die Ziele der Revolution vertreten. Um dies zu erreichen, habe die Nationale Koalition sich das Ziel gesetzt, ein Exekutivorgan zu gründen, das die Unterstützung für die gemeinsame Führung des Militärrats, des Revolutionsrats und der Freien Syrischen Armee bündle, einen Fond zur Unterstützung des syrischen Volkes durch internationale Koordination schaffe, einen syrisch-nationalen Rechtsausschuss gründe und eine Übergangsregierung bilde (National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, 18. Oktober 2012).

Das Center for American Progress beschreibt die Ziele der Nationalen Koalition als die Vertretung und Koordinierung der politischen Elemente der syrischen Opposition, um sie in einer provisorischen Regierung zu vereinen, die Syrien nach dem Fall der Assad-Regierung leiten könne. Weiters solle die Koalition internationalen Geldgebern einen legitimen und einheitlichen Kanal für Hilfsleistungen für die Rebell·innen bieten (Center for America Progress, 14. Mai 2013).

Auftreten und Rolle

Laut Syria Direct (SD) sei die Nationale Koalition im November 2012 mit der Unterstützung von Katar als höchste politische Autorität der Opposition Syriens gegründet worden und habe die Opposition im In- und Ausland vertreten (SD, 17. Dezember 2024; siehe auch: SD, 15. September 2023).

Nach ihrer Gründung sei die Nationale Koalition von einer Vielzahl an Ländern und Bündnissen, wie unter anderem der Europäischen Union (Al-Jazeera, 19. November 2012), Großbritannien (BBC News, 20. November 2012) und Frankreich (France24, 13. November 2012) als legitime Vertretung des syrischen Volkes anerkannt worden.

Die Nationale Koalition habe 2013 aus 71 Vertreter·innen der Oppositionsgruppen bestanden, darunter dem Syrischen Nationalrat, der Muslimbruderschaft Syriens, der Allgemeinen Kommission der Syrischen Revolution, lokalen Koordinierungskomitees, lokalen Revolutionsräten aus dem ganzen Land, Einzelpersonen sowie einer kleinen Zahl kurdischer politischer Führer·innen. Laut dem Center for American Progress habe es bereits 2013 interne Divisionen gegeben (Center for America Progress, 14. Mai 2013).

Das niederländische Außenministerium erklärt im Juli 2019, dass die Nationale Koalition (auch Syrian Opposition Coalition, SOC) ihren Sitz in Istanbul habe und verschiedene syrische Oppositionsgruppen vertrete. Sie habe im April 2013 ein Exekutivorgan, die Syrische Übergangsregierung (Syrian Interim Government, SIG) gegründet, die von der Südtürkei aus operiere. 2019 habe die Übergangsregierung ein Büro in Al-Rai im türkisch kontrollierten Teil Nordsyriens eröffnet. 2014 habe die Nationale Koalition im Auftrag eines Teils der Opposition bei Verhandlungen in Genf teilgenommen. Die Nationale Koalition sei weiters ein Teil eines Verhandlungskomitees auf Grundlage der UN-Resolution 2254 in den Jahren 2016 und 2017 gewesen (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Juli 2019, S. 8).

SD berichtet im März 2023, dass formelle oppositionelle politische und Dienstleistungsinstitutionen vollständig von der Türkei abhängen würden. Laut SD seien im Laufe der Jahre die Gebiete der Opposition, die von der Nationalen Koalition verwaltet wurden, geschrumpft. Der Einfluss der von der Nationalen Koalition gegründeten Übergangsregierung beschränke sich mit März 2023 auf die von der Türkei unterstützten Gebiete im Norden von Aleppo. In den Gebieten, die weiterhin offiziell unter der Verwaltung der Übergangsregierung stünden, sei diese laut SD nicht präsent und trete nur bei einigen offiziellem Zeremonien in einer „Ehrenrolle“ auf. Drei von SD interviewte Quellen hätten die Rolle der Übergangsregierung als Formalität beschrieben (SD, 18. März 2023).

In einem Artikel vom September 2023 beschreibt SD, dass die Wahl des neuen Präsidenten der Nationalen Koalition, Hadi Al-Bahra, von Kontroversen überschattet sei. Er sei beschuldigt worden von einer einflussreichen Gruppe von Politiker·innen mit Verbindungen nach Ankara ausgewählt worden zu sein. Der Skandal sei laut SD der jüngste in einer langen Liste regelwidriger Praktiken innerhalb der Nationalen Koalition und ihrer angeschlossenen Institutionen gewesen. Laut Wael Alwan, Forscher am in der Türkei ansässigen Jusoor Center for Studies, spiele die Nationale Koalition keine große Rolle bei der Beeinflussung der syrischen Politik. Aufgrund der strukturellen Probleme habe die Nationale Koalition laut SDF in den vergangenen Jahren viele ihrer außenpolitischen Beziehungen verloren. Laut Ayman Abdel Nour, Direktor der in Washington ansässigen Organisation Syrian Christians for Peace, betrachte die US-Regierung die Nationale Koalition als türkische Plattform. Die USA habe 2019 jegliche finanzielle und diplomatische Hilfe und politische Deckung der Nationalen Koalition gestrichen. Ihr Büro in Washington sei geschlossen worden und sie sei fortan als türkische Plattform und nicht mehr als Vertreterin, Koordinatorin und alleiniger Vormund der Opposition und ihrer Streitkräfte behandelt worden (SD, 15. September 2023).

Am 13. Jahrestag des syrischen Aufstandes zitiert die Webseite der Nationalen Koalition eine Rede von Asmahan Sheikh Mous, Mitglied der Nationalen Koalition. Mous betone den anhaltenden Kampf gegen die Assad-Regierung und benenne die angebliche Unterdrückung und Gräueltaten der Regierung (Nationale Koalition der Syrischen Revolutions- und Oppositionskräfte, 19. März 2024).

Laut SD habe die Nationale Koalition im Dezember 2024 ihre Unterstützung für die neue Übergangsregierung nach dem Sturz von Baschar Al-Assad bekannt gegeben. Gleichzeitig fordere die Nationale Koalition die Umsetzung von Resolution 2254 des UN-Sicherheitsrates, die einen Fahrplan für einen politischen Übergang in Syrien vorgebe (SD, 17. Dezember 2024).

Reuters berichtet Ende Dezember 2024, dass die Nationale Koalition keine Einladung zum von der aktuellen syrischen Regierung angekündigten nationalen Dialog erhalten habe (Reuters, 30. Dezember 2024).

Weitere Informationen zur Nationalen Koalition finden Sie in folgender Anfragebeantwortung von ACCORD vom August 2024:

·      ACCORD - Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation: Anfragebeantwortung zu Syrien: Informationen zum Oppositionsbündnis Nationale Koalition der syrischen Revolutions- und Oppositionskräfte (National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, SOC); Aktivitäten; Welche Organisationen umfasst bzw. umfasste das Oppositionsbündnis?; Gibt es Mitglieds- oder Mitarbeiterverzeichnisse dieser Organisationen und stehen diese der syrischen Regierung zur Verfügung? [a-12433-2], 29. August 2024
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2114856/a-12433-2.pdf 

Verhältnis zu den Demokratischen Kräften Syriens (Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF)

Die Nationale Koalition beschreibt die Partei der Demokratischen Union (PYD[1]) in einem Beitrag auf ihrer Webseite vom Juni 2018 als „terroristisch“ (National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, 11. Juni 2018; siehe auch: Kurdistan24, 2017).

Laut Syria Direct (SD) werfe die PYD der nationalen Koalition vor, sich der Türkei unterzuordnen (SD, 30. Dezember 2024).

Enab Baladi zitiert im Dezember 2023 Mazloum Abdi, Oberbefehlshaber der SDF. Laut Abdi habe die Nationale Koalition kein Programm und sei irrelevant geworden, da sie mit einer ausländischen Agenda in Verbindung gebracht werde. Die Nationale Koalition übernehme die Position der Türkei gegenüber der Autonomen Verwaltung Nord- und Ostsyriens (Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, AANES) und sehe die SDF als verlängerten Arm der Arbeiterpartie Kurdistans (PKK) in Syrien (Enab Baladi, 21. Dezember 2023).

Übergriffe auf Mitglieder der Nationalen Koalition durch SDF und deren Verbündete

Die Nationale Koalition beschuldigt auf ihrer Webseite im März 2017 die PYD, repressive Praktiken gegen politische Dissident·innen und Aktivitist·innen in Nordsyrien auszuüben. Die Polizei der PYD, bekannt als Asayish, habe in den zwei Tagen zuvor etwa 40 Mitglieder des Kurdischen Nationalrats[2] in den von ihnen kontrollieren Gebieten festgenommen (Nationale Koalition der syrischen Revolutions- und Oppositionskräfte, 8. März 2017).

Die Nationale Koalition schreibt im Juni 2018, dass die PYD die Häuser von Mitgliedern des Kurdischen Nationalrats in Nordostsyrien beschlagnahmt hätten (National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, 11. Juni 2018).

Kurdistan24 berichtet 2021, dass der Kurdische Nationalrat eine angeblich der PYD nahestehende Gruppe beschuldige, das Büro der dem Kurdischen Nationalrat nahestehenden Demokratischen Partei Kurdistans in der Stadt Hasaka angegriffen zu haben. Der Kurdische Nationalrat behaupte weiter, dass der PYD nahestehende Gruppen weiterhin ihre Mitglieder, sowie Familien der Rojava-Peschmerga-Streitkräfte, dem offiziellen militärischen Flügel des Kurdischen Nationalrats, bedrohen würden (Kurdistan24, 2021).

Enab Baladi berichtet im April 2024, dass der Kurdische Nationalrat die PYD beschuldige, ihre Büros in der Stadt Qamischli in Brand gesteckt zu haben. Die AANES weise diese Anschuldigungen zurück, und laut der Asayish habe es sich um unbekannte Täter·innen gehandelt. Laut Enab Baladi komme es immer wieder zu Angriffen von PYD-nahen Gruppen auf die Büros des Kurdischen Nationalrats und der ihm unterstellten politischen Parteien (Enab Baladi, 26. April 2024).

Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, eine in saudischem Besitz befindliche Tageszeitung mit Sitz in London, schreibt in einem Artikel vom Juni 2024, dass der Kurdische Nationalrat die PYD für die Festnahmen elf ihrer Mitglieder verantwortlich mache (Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, 11. Juni 2024).

Es konnten keine Informationen zu Übergriffen auf Mitglieder der Nationalen Koalition, die nicht mit dem Kurdischen Nationalrat verbunden sind, durch die SDF oder deren Verbündeten gefunden werden.

Quellen berichten von Festnahmen von Personen durch die SDF aufgrund des Vorwurfs mit türkischen Behörden kooperiert (SOHR, 10. September 2022) oder geheimdienstlich für diese gearbeitet zu haben (NPA, 25. Mai 2023; SOHR, 5. September 2024). Die Quellen nennen in diesem Zusammenhang keine Verbindung der Personen mit der Nationalen Koalition.

Quellen: (Zugriff auf alle Quellen am 23. Jänner 2025)

·      ACCORD - Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation: Anfragebeantwortung zu Syrien: Informationen zum Oppositionsbündnis Nationale Koalition der syrischen Revolutions- und Oppositionskräfte (National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, SOC); Aktivitäten; Welche Organisationen umfasst bzw. umfasste das Oppositionsbündnis?; Gibt es Mitglieds- oder Mitarbeiterverzeichnisse dieser Organisationen und stehen diese der syrischen Regierung zur Verfügung? [a-12433-2], 29. August 2024
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2114856/a-12433-2.pdf 

·      Al-Jazeera: EU recognises Syria opposition bloc, 19. November 2012
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/11/19/eu-recognises-syria-opposition-bloc/

·      Al-Sharq Al-Awsat: Der Kurdische Nationalrat wirft der Partei der Demokratischen Union vor, ihre Mitglieder zu verhaften und ihre Anhänger einzuschüchtern [Arabisch], 11. Juni 2024
https://aawsat.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%A7%D%209%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%8%202-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A/5029921-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8%205%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A7%%20D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%AD%D8%20%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%8%204%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D%208%B9%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A3%D8%B9%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%87

·      BBC News: Syria conflict: UK recognises opposition, says William Hague, 20. November 2012
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-20406562

·      Center for American Progress: The Structure and Organization of the Syrian Opposition, 14. Mai 2013
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-structure-and-organization-of-the-syrian-opposition/

·      Enab Baladi: AANES condemns attack on Kurdish National Council offices, 26. April 2024
https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2024/04/aanes-condemns-attack-on-kurdish-national-council-offices/

·      Enab Baladi: Mazloum Abdi criticizes Syrian regime and opposition, 21. Dezember 2023
https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2023/12/mazloum-abdi-criticizes-syrian-regime-and-opposition/

·      France24: François Hollande reconnaît la coalition nationale syrienne, 13. November 2012
https://www.france24.com/fr/20121113-paris-syrie-hollande-nouvelle-coalition-opposition-bachar-al-assad-livraisons-armes-asl

·      Kurdistan24: Syrian Kurdish National Council rejects classifying PYD as terrorists, 2017
https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/372191/Syrian-Kurdish-National-Council-rejects-classifying-PYD-as-terrorists

·      Kurdistan24: Syrian Kurdish opposition party blames PYD-affiliated group for attack on its office, 2021
https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/386496/Syrian-Kurdish-opposition-party-blames-PYD-affiliated-group-for-attack-on-its-office

·      National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces: Mission Statement and Goals, 18. Oktober 2012
https://en.etilaf.org/about-us/goals

·      National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces: PYD Militia Detain 42 Kurdish National Council Members in Northern Syria, 8. März 2017
https://en.etilaf.org/all-news/news/pyd-militia-detain-42-kurdish-national-council-members-in-northern-syria

·      National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces: PYD Militia Seizes Houses of Kurdish Dissidents in Northeastern Syria, 11. Juni 2018
https://en.etilaf.org/all-news/news/pyd-militia-seizes-houses-of-kurdish-dissidents-in-northeastern-syria

·      National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces: Kurdish National Council Marks 13th Anniversary of Syrian Revolution, 19. März 2024
https://en.etilaf.org/all-news/news/kurdish-national-council-marks-13th-anniversary-of-syrian-revolution

·      Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Country of Origin Information Report Syria: The security situation, Juli 2019
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2016076/Country of Origin Information Report Syria (July 2019).pdf

·      NPA – North Press Agency: SDF arrests 2 men accused of being Turkish agents, 25. Mai 2023
https://npasyria.com/en/98497/

·      Reuters: Syria's former opposition says it has not been invited to government's planned talks, 30. Dezember 2024
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrias-former-opposition-says-it-has-not-been-invited-governments-planned-talks-2024-12-30/

·      SD – Syria Direct: 12 years on, ‘revolution’ service institutions under Turkish authority, 18. März 2023
https://syriadirect.org/12-years-on-revolution-service-institutions-under-turkish-authority/

·      SD – Syria Direct: Hadi al-Bahra: President of a dead institution?, 15. September 2023
https://syriadirect.org/hadi-al-bahra-president-of-a-dead-institution/

·      SD – Syria Direct: Why is the Syrian political opposition clinging to Resolution 2254?, 17. Dezember 2024
https://syriadirect.org/why-is-syrias-political-opposition-clinging-to-resolution-2254/

·      SD – Syria Direct: Syrian Kurdish parties struggle to unify and negotiate with Damascus, 30. Dezember 2024
https://syriadirect.org/syrian-kurdish-parties-struggle-to-unify-negotiate-with-damascus/

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: SDF-held areas | Nearly 90 civilians arrested for ‘cooperating with Turkey’, amid accusation of extracting confessions from detainees under torture, 10. September 2022
https://www.syriahr.com/en/267023/

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Al-Raqqa | Intelligence of ‘SDF’ arrests two members working for Turkish Intelligence, 5. September 2024
https://www.syriahr.com/en/343336/

·      TIMEP – Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy: Kurdish-Kurdish Negotiations in Syria, 14. Mai 2021
https://timep.org/2021/05/14/kurdish-kurdish-negotiations-in-syria/

 

Anhang: Quellenbeschreibungen und Informationen aus ausgewählten Quellen

 Al-Jazeera ist ein in Qatar ansässiger arabischer Nachrichtensender.

·      Al-Jazeera: EU recognises Syria opposition bloc, 19. November 2012
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/11/19/eu-recognises-syria-opposition-bloc/

„European Union foreign ministers have said they view Syria’s just-formed National Coalition to be the ‘legitimate representatives’ of the Syrian people.“ (Al-Jazeera, 19. November 2012)

BBC News, eine Abteilung der British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) mit Hauptsitz in London, ist ein öffentlich-rechtlicher Rundfunksender, der Nachrichten und aktuelle Geschehnisse sammelt und veröffentlicht.

·      BBC News: Syria conflict: UK recognises opposition, says William Hague, 20. November 2012
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-20406562

„Foreign Secretary William Hague has said the UK has decided to recognise the Syrian opposition coalition.

He told MPs [Members of Parliament] the National Coalition of the Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces was the ‘sole legitimate representative’ of the Syrian people.“ (BBC News, 20. November 2012)

Das Center for American Progress ist eine US-amerikanische Denkfabrik mit Sitz in Washington.

·      Center for American Progress: The Structure and Organization of the Syrian Opposition, 14. Mai 2013
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-structure-and-organization-of-the-syrian-opposition/

„Objectives

The Syrian Opposition Coalition seeks to represent and coordinate the political elements of the Syrian opposition and unite them around a provisional government that would govern Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime. It is designed to provide international donors with a legitimate, unified channel for all aid to the rebellion by acting as a moderate umbrella group representing the majority of activists, militia, and local councilmen in the Syrian opposition. The formation of the SOC [Syrian Opposition Coalition] would, in theory, allow the Syrian opposition and the international community to isolate and marginalize more extremist elements of the rebellion. […]

Leadership

The Syrian Opposition Coalition is made up of 71 representatives of key opposition groups, including the Syrian National Council, the Muslim Brotherhood of Syria, the Syrian Revolution General Commission, Local Coordination Committees, local revolutionary councils from across the country, individuals with long histories of opposing the regime, and a small number of Kurdish political leaders. […]

Internal divisions

The Syrian National Council—an organization founded in October 2011 in an attempt to form a unified opposition framework—is one of the Syrian Opposition Coalition’s main constituents, and current and former members of the Syrian National Council make up roughly half of the SOC’s leadership. Both Hitto and the Syrian National Council have deep ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, a point of conflict within the Syrian Opposition Coalition’s leadership and among its international backers.

More moderate opposition leaders such as former president Khatib have pushed for a transitional government—one that combines leadership of the opposition with members of the current Syrian government—as a means of retaining the governmental structure and avoiding chaos in the transition to an elected-civilian government. Prime Minister Hitto and members of the Syrian National Council have instead pushed for the formation of a provisional government, which would replace the current Syrian government and exclude all members of the Assad regime.

International backers have supported their preferred factions within the Syrian Opposition Coalition in an attempt to shape the political direction of the organization. Qatar and Turkey, who both have close ties with the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria and share some ideological elements of their platform, supported Hitto’s election as prime minister. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who are deeply suspicious of the Muslim Brotherhood’s influence within the nascent political organization, have been supportive of Khatib and members of his faction within the SOC.

As a political entity composed primarily of exiled Syrians—many of whom have not been in the country for months or years—the Syrian Opposition Coalition is frequently criticized by rebel groups for being out of touch with the in-country rebellion, contributing to its limited credibility on the ground. Whether or not it is able to effectively and prudently disperse the foreign aid it receives will likely determine its standing among rebel groups.“ (Center for America Progress, 14. Mai 2013)

Enab Baladi ist eine syrische Medienorganisation, die der ehemaligen Regierung von Baschar Al-Assad kritisch gegenüberstand.

·      Enab Baladi: AANES condemns attack on Kurdish National Council offices, 26. April 2024
https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2024/04/aanes-condemns-attack-on-kurdish-national-council-offices/

„The co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), Ilham Ahmed, stated that the incidents of setting fire to the Kurdish National Council offices in Syria are not endorsed by the Autonomous Administration, and demanded accountability for those behind them. […]

Regarding accusations directed at the Democratic Union Party (PYD), Ahmed stated that accusing the Autonomous Administration is unrealistic and lacks objectivity, noting that it strives to maintain security and stability in the region and does not discriminate between parties, but rather everyone benefits from its services. […]

Meanwhile, Asayish reported that unknown individuals set fire at dawn on Wednesday to two headquarters of the Kurdish National Council in the city of Qamishli, causing material damage without any human injuries, noting that their forces had begun investigating the incident. […]

The National Council stated on Wednesday that gunmen affiliated with the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) attacked headquarters of political parties within its components in the city of Qamishli, northern al-Hasakah province, burning them along with furniture and equipment, and also attempted to burn its office in the town of Qahtaniyah, east of al-Hasakah.

The Democratic Union Party forms the backbone of the Autonomous Administration, as well as its military wing, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), which are the core of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) supported by the United States in northeastern Syria.

Attacks by groups close to PYD on the offices of the Kurdish National Council and the political parties under it are recurrent, and the Council always accuses the Revolutionary Youth groups of being behind these attacks“ (Enab Baladi, 26. April 2024)

·      Enab Baladi: Mazloum Abdi criticizes Syrian regime and opposition, 21. Dezember 2023
https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2023/12/mazloum-abdi-criticizes-syrian-regime-and-opposition/

„The commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, stated that the Syrian regime still relies on security and military solutions, as demonstrated by its recent movements in Deir Ezzor governorate. […]

Regarding the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces (Syrian National Coalition), Abdi stated that it does not have any programs and has become irrelevant, as it is associated with a foreign agenda.

The Coalition and the Syrian opposition factions stemming from it adopt Turkey’s position towards the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and its political arm, the SDC [Syrian Democratic Council], and military arm, the SDF, as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Syria, as the party is classified on the Turkish ‘terrorism’ lists.“ (Enab Baladi, 21. Dezember 2023)

France24, das französische Auslandsfernsehen, ist ein internationaler Nachrichtensender mit besonderem Fokus auf Berichterstattung zu Ländern mit Frankreich-Bezug in Afrika und Nahost.

·      France24: François Hollande reconnaît la coalition nationale syrienne, 13. November 2012
https://www.france24.com/fr/20121113-paris-syrie-hollande-nouvelle-coalition-opposition-bachar-al-assad-livraisons-armes-asl

„François Hollande a annoncé que la France reconnaissait la nouvelle coalition formée par l'opposition syrienne comme ‘la seule représentante du peuple syrien’.“ (France24, 13. November 2012)

Kurdistan24 ist ein in der Autonomen Region Kurdistan (Irak) ansässiger Nachrichtensender.

·      Kurdistan24: Syrian Kurdish National Council rejects classifying PYD as terrorists, 2017
https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/372191/Syrian-Kurdish-National-Council-rejects-classifying-PYD-as-terrorists

„The body known as the ‘National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces’ said in a statement on Monday it ‘continues to consider the PYD [Democratic Union Party] and its security and military arms terrorist organizations.‘“ (Kurdistan24, 2017)

·      Kurdistan24: Syrian Kurdish opposition party blames PYD-affiliated group for attack on its office, 2021
https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/386496/Syrian-Kurdish-opposition-party-blames-PYD-affiliated-group-for-attack-on-its-office

„The Kurdish National Council (KNC) blamed a group allegedly affiliated to the Democratic Union Party (PYD) for attacking the office of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, a party affiliated to the KNC, in Hasakah city on Friday in a statement on Monday.

In the statement, the KNC suggested the group broke down the doors and smashed the windows of the office and attempted to set it on fire.

The KNC statement also alleged that that PYD-affiliated groups are still threatening its members and families of the Rojava Peshmerga forces. The Rojava Peshmerga is the official military wing of the KNC. The People's Protection Units (YPG) is close to the PYD. […]

The PYD is also the leading component of the political wing of the SDF, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC).“ (Kurdistan24, 2021)

Unter untenstehendem Link findet sich die die offizielle Website der National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, eine Koalition von Oppositionsgruppen im syrischen Bürgerkrieg mit Sitz in Istanbul, die im November 2012 in Doha, Katar, gegründet wurde.

·      National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces: Mission Statement and Goals, 18. Oktober 2012
https://en.etilaf.org/about-us/goals

„Because of the deep crisis in Syria, our country, and the struggle our people are facing, all political opposition factions and have come together in unity with the goal of overthrowing the Assad regime, ending the suffering of the Syrian people, and to make the transition towards a free and democratic country. This coalition will comprise of leadership that will mobilize efforts to support and strengthen our people and represent the goals of this revolution in the best way possible. The coalition will do everything in its power to reach the goal of overthrowing the Assad regime and bring victory to the revolution both inside and outside of Syria. […]

The goal of the National Syrian Coalition are to establish an executive branch that will carry out the following goals:

§  To unify support for the joint leadership of the military council, the revolutionary council, and the FSA [Free Syrian Army]

§  To generate a fund to support the Syrian people through international coordination

§  To create a Syrian National Legal Committee

§  To establish a transitional government after receiving international recognition“ (National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, 18. Oktober 2012)

·      National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces: PYD Militia Detain 42 Kurdish National Council Members in Northern Syria, 8. März 2017
https://en.etilaf.org/all-news/news/pyd-militia-detain-42-kurdish-national-council-members-in-northern-syria

„Militias of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) continue to engage in repressive practices against political dissidents and activists in northern Syria. PYD militias have detained about 42 members of the Kurdish National Council (KNC) in the areas under their control over the past two days. […]

Mahmoud Ismail, senior member of the KNC-affiliated Kurdistan Democratic Party, said that the PYD police force, known as the Asayish, have detained 33 members of the party, two members of the Kurdish Future Movement, one member of the Yeketi Party, a member of the local council, and a media activist in the past two days.“ (National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, 8. März 2017)

·      National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces: PYD Militia Seizes Houses of Kurdish Dissidents in Northeastern Syria, 11. Juni 2018
https://en.etilaf.org/all-news/news/pyd-militia-seizes-houses-of-kurdish-dissidents-in-northeastern-syria

„Militias of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) seized houses of members of the Kurdish National Council in northeastern Syria and settled other families in them. […]

The PYD militias, which the Coalition described as ‘terrorist’, have put their hands on houses of Fouad Aliko and Ibrahim Berro. They earlier seized house of political dissident Abdulhakim Bashar.“ (National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, 11. Juni 2018)

·      National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces: Kurdish National Council Marks 13th Anniversary of Syrian Revolution, 19. März 2024
https://en.etilaf.org/all-news/news/kurdish-national-council-marks-13th-anniversary-of-syrian-revolution

„During the gathering, SOC [Syria Opposition Coalition] member Asmahan Sheikh Mous emphasized the ongoing struggle against the Assad regime, thirteen years after the revolution’s inception, which initially called for freedom, dignity, democracy, and equal citizenship for all Syrians.

Sheikh Mous highlighted the regime’s oppression and tyranny against all Syrians, including Kurds, citing atrocities such as use of barrel bombings, shootings of civilians, use of chemical weapons, arbitrary arrests, and torture to death.“ (National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, 19. März 2024)

Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs ist das niederländische Außenministerium.

·      Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Country of Origin Information Report Syria: The security situation, Juli 2019
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2016076/Country of Origin Information Report Syria (July 2019).pdf

„The opposition in exile

While Islamic fundamentalists now largely dominate the military opposition in Syria, the Syrian opposition in exile is divided. The opposition in exile is brought together in several umbrella organisations or platforms. The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) is a political platform based in Istanbul and representing various Syrian opposition groups. In addition, on 3 April 2013, the Syrian opposition established an executive body, the Syrian Interim Government (SIG), which operates from southern Turkey. On 25 April 2019, the SIG opened an office in Al-Rai in the Turkish-controlled Euphrates Shield Zone. In 2014, the negotiations in Geneva were conducted by the SOC on behalf of part of the opposition, on the basis of UNSC [United Nations Security Council] Resolution 2118.

In November 2015 the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) was set up – an umbrella group comprising members of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change, the Kurdish National Council (KNC) and groups from the network of the Free Syrian Army (FSA). In 2016 and 2017, the HNC led the negotiations on behalf of the opposition on the basis of UN Resolution 2254.“ (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Juli 2019, S. 8)

Die North Press Agency (NPA) ist eine syrisch-kurdische Nachrichtenagentur.

·      NPA – North Press Agency: SDF arrests 2 men accused of being Turkish agents, 25. Mai 2023
https://npasyria.com/en/98497/

„On Thursday, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced capturing two young men on espionage charges in the districts of Amuda and Darbasiyah in the western countryside of Qamishli, northeast Syria. […]

The SDF noted that after concluding the investigations, both were handed over to judicial institutions.“ (NPA, 25. Mai 2023)

Reuters ist eine internationale Nachrichtenagentur.

·      Reuters: Syria's former opposition says it has not been invited to government's planned talks, 30. Dezember 2024
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrias-former-opposition-says-it-has-not-been-invited-governments-planned-talks-2024-12-30/

„The head of the internationally recognized Syrian opposition body during the previous administration's rule, said on Monday that the group has not received an invitation to the national dialogue announced by the current government.

No communication has been made with the new administration, Hadi al-Bahra, said in an interview with Saudi state-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya TV.

Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, said a day earlier that the national dialogue conference would include wide participation by Syrian society with votes on issues such as dissolving the parliament and the constitution.“ (Reuters, 30. Dezember 2024)

Syria Direct (SD) ist, laut eigenen Angaben, eine 2013 gegründete nicht profitorientierte journalistische Organisation, die Nachrichten und Interviews aus Syrien publiziert.

·      SD – Syria Direct: 12 years on, ‘revolution’ service institutions under Turkish authority, 18. März 2023
https://syriadirect.org/12-years-on-revolution-service-institutions-under-turkish-authority/

„Twelve years after the Syrian revolution began, formal opposition political and service institutions are wholly reliant on Turkey, impacting service provision and governance in the areas they administer. […]

On March 18, 2013, the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, as the highest official opposition authority, announced the formation of the SIG [Syrian Interim Government] to administer areas outside regime control throughout the country. But as time went by, the areas belonging to the opposition shrank, especially following the 2018 settlement agreements that ended in Damascus taking control of southern Syria and opposition areas in south Damascus and its countryside.

The SIG’s influence is now limited to Ankara-supported areas of the northern Aleppo countryside. Meanwhile, areas controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Idlib and parts of Aleppo and Latakia provinces are controlled by the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), the civilian wing of HTS.

But in the areas still under SIG administration, the de facto government is absent, appearing in an ‘honorary role’ in some official ceremonies and project launches through the attendance of President Abdurrahman Mustafa, who lives in Turkey, Quman said. Three other sources Syria Direct spoke to also described the SIG’s role as a formality.“ (SD, 18. März 2023)

·      SD – Syria Direct: Hadi al-Bahra: President of a dead institution?, 15. September 2023
https://syriadirect.org/hadi-al-bahra-president-of-a-dead-institution/

„The Syrian political opposition’s highest body elected Hadi al-Bahra as its new president this month, in a process overshadowed by leaks, controversy and allegations he was hand-picked by an influential group of politicians linked to Ankara. […]

The scandal is the latest in a long list of irregular practices within the SNC and its affiliated institutions. One example was the 2020 seat-swapping between Naser al-Hariri, who was elected SNC [Syrian National Coalition] president in July of that year while heading the Negotiations Committee, and Anas al-Abdah, the outgoing president who took over as head of the Negotiations Committee when his term ended.

The SNC was established in November 2012 following disputes and ‘broad’ disagreements in the ranks of the Syrian National Council—the first political body representing the opposition at home and abroad, established in 2011. The following year, Qatar sponsored the formation of the new political coalition in the presence of Arab and Western diplomats. The SNC brought together the spectrum of Syrian opposition bodies, and gained importance as a political umbrella and the opposition’s highest political authority. A number of institutions and bodies fall under it, including the Syrian Interim Government (SIG), Syrian Negotiations Committee and the Constitutional Committee. […]

Researcher Alwan agreed, noting that ‘the SNC tops the list of local actors who no longer have a major role in influencing Syria’s political situation.’ […]

The SNC’s structural problems caused it to lose many of its foreign political relationships over the past several years. The United States administration ‘considers the SNC a Turkish platform in an official and clear way, and the SNC was explicitly informed of that when Anas al-Abdah was president,’ Abdel Nour said.

He pointed to the SNC issuing a statement ‘against clear American requests, when Turkey intervened with its forces to implement [its 2019] Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria without consulting anyone.’ In response, the US ‘cut off all financial and diplomatic aid and political cover from the SNC. Its office in Washington was closed, and [the US] started to deal with it as a Turkish platform, not as a representative, coordinator or sole guardian of the opposition and its forces.’“ (SD, 15. September 2023)

·      SD – Syria Direct: Why is the Syrian political opposition clinging to Resolution 2254?, 17. Dezember 2024
https://syriadirect.org/why-is-syrias-political-opposition-clinging-to-resolution-2254/

„The Istanbul-based National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces announced its support on Monday for the interim government in Damascus formed at the direction of Ahmad al-Sharaa (Abu Muhammad al-Jolani)—the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—following the overthrow of the Assad regime on December 8.

The opposition body called the government, led by caretaker Prime Minister Muhammad al-Bashir, ‘necessary as a temporary executive authority to operate state institutions and deliver services to the people until early March.’ […]

The Monday statement also emphasized the National Coalition ‘rejects any guardianship’ over Syria while calling for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 of 2015, which lays out a roadmap for a political transition in Syria.

The National Coalition was established in November 2012 following disagreements within the Syrian National Council—the first political body representing the opposition at home and abroad after the start of the revolution in 2011. The following year, Qatar sponsored the formation of the National Coalition as the opposition’s highest political authority. A number of institutions and bodies fall under it, including the Syrian Interim Government (SIG).“ (SD, 17. Dezember 2024)

·      SD – Syria Direct: Syrian Kurdish parties struggle to unify and negotiate with Damascus, 30. Dezember 2024
https://syriadirect.org/syrian-kurdish-parties-struggle-to-unify-negotiate-with-damascus/

„Kurdish-Kurdish dialogue in Syria involves two main blocs. On one side, there are the Kurdish National Unity Parties, 25 political parties including the PYD [Democratic Union Party], the civil wing of the SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces], which founded the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). Across the table, there is the KNC [Kurdish National Council] in Syria, which includes 12 parties and political organizations.

Disputes between these two blocs stretch back for years. They hold different positions on many issues, most notably over each body’s political and ideological leanings, the PYD’s dominance over the political and military scene in northeastern Syria and the KNC’s accusations that the PYD marginalizes other Kurdish parties by attacking their headquarters and imprisoning their supporters.

Each side accuses the other of being loyal to foreign powers and incapable of making independent decisions. For the PYD, this refers to the party’s links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Turkey. For the KNC, it refers to it being represented in the Istanbul-based National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, which is accused of being subordinate to Turkey.“ (SD, 30. Dezember 2024)

Das Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) ist eine 2006 gegründete, in Großbritannien ansässige Menschenrechtsorganisation, die sich für die Verteidigung der Menschenrechte in Syrien einsetzt.

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: SDF-held areas | Nearly 90 civilians arrested for ‘cooperating with Turkey’, amid accusation of extracting confessions from detainees under torture, 10. September 2022
https://www.syriahr.com/en/267023/

„Autonomous Administration intelligence continues to arrest nearly 90 civilians in SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces]-held areas and northern Aleppo countryside following Turkish attacks last July and August.

According to SOHR sources, among the detainees, there are administrators of Civil councils.

90 civilians were arrested on charges of dealing with Turkish forces and the ‘National Army,’ and giving coordinates on the outpost of SDF.

The detainees’ families accuse the intelligence of extracting the confessions of the detainees under torture, as the detainees were subjected to various types of torture after targeting leaders and SDF actors.” (SOHR, 10. September 2022)

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Al-Raqqa | Intelligence of ‘SDF’ arrests two members working for Turkish Intelligence, 5. September 2024
https://www.syriahr.com/en/343336/

„The intelligence of ‘SDF’ [Syrian Democratic Forces] arrested two members working for the Turkish Intelligence in Maruda Village northern of Al-Raqqa during a security operation, and they were taken to a security centre in Al-Raqqa.” (SOHR, 5. September 2024)

Das Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP) ist eine nicht-gewinnorientierte Organisation, die laut Selbstbeschreibung das Ziel hat, Anwält·innen und Expert·innen aus und in Nahost und Nordafrika in das Zentrum des politischen Diskurses zu rücken, um transparente, verantwortungsvolle und gerechte Gesellschaften zu fördern.

·      TIMEP – Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy: Kurdish-Kurdish Negotiations in Syria, 14. Mai 2021
https://timep.org/2021/05/14/kurdish-kurdish-negotiations-in-syria/

„The KNC [Kurdish National Council] is considered one of the founders of the National Coalition for the Forces of the Syrian Revolution and Opposition in 2012, and the members of the Council participate in the leadership of the coalition, the High Negotiation Committee and the Constitutional Committee.“ (TIMEP, 14. Mai 2021)

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