Syria’s civil society navigates post-Assad era: Partnership or control?
Summary
Syria is going through big changes after President Bashar al-Assad’s fall in late 2024, affecting how civil society groups operate. Many organizations that once worked independently during the war are now asked to register with the government, which is trying to control and reshape their role in society.Key Facts
- Bahjat Hajjar, once a supporter of opposition-run councils, is now deputy minister of social affairs and labour in Syria.
- Before Assad’s fall, civil society groups were tightly controlled by the intelligence service, making it hard to get official approval.
- Since December 2024, many organizations from opposition areas have been asked to register in Damascus, and approvals have become easier.
- Founding a civil society organization is now simpler and cheaper than starting a company in Syria.
- Experts warn that growing numbers of groups do not necessarily mean civil society is strong or influential.
- Civil society in Syria developed during war to fill gaps left by the weakened state, especially in areas like healthcare, education, and shelter.
- The government aims to regain control of services that civil society organizations handled, creating uncertainty about the future role of these groups.
- The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour involved civil society in creating a strategy for 2026–2028, showing some cooperation between the state and civil society.
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