DAMASCUS, Syria — Organizers announced on Thursday that the upcoming conference aimed at shaping the future of Syria will involve various factions of Syrian society, though it will notably exclude the Kurdish-led administration in the northeast as well as supporters of the past regime of Bashar Assad.
“This will mark the first genuine assembly of Syrians in 75 years,” stated Huda al-Atassi, a former political prisoner and member of the conference’s organizing committee, during a press briefing in Damascus. She emphasized that the forum would tackle social, political, economic, and governance issues, establishing a framework for a sustainable future grounded in national consensus, fairness, reform, and inclusivity.
In late January, former rebel factions in Syria named Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former Islamist rebel leader, as the interim president following a military campaign that led to Assad’s ousting. The collective decision was made to discard Syria’s existing constitution, which was enacted under Assad, with intentions to develop a new legal framework.
Meanwhile, many former insurgent groups have agreed to disband and integrate into a new national army and security forces. However, the U.S.-supported, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have not yet joined this initiative. Tensions have erupted between SDF forces and Turkish-backed factions in northern parts of Syria, with the Kurdish community wary of losing the political and cultural advancements gained during their establishment of a self-governed area in the northeast amid the ongoing civil conflict. Negotiations continue between the SDF and the Damascus government.
formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, al-Sharaa leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was instrumental in the rapid campaign that removed Assad. Although HTS has historical roots associated with al-Qaida, it has publicly distanced itself from those connections in recent years.
Al-Sharaa has aimed to rebrand himself as an advocate for pluralism and inclusivity, vowing to safeguard the rights of women and religious minorities. With the fall of Assad, HTS has emerged as the dominant power, establishing an interim governance structure largely with officials from its administration in the previously rebel-controlled Idlib province.
Despite these developments, al-Sharaa has committed to initiating an inclusive political process intending to craft a new constitution and establish a representative government that reflects all Syrians’ voices. The national dialogue conference is a vital aspect of this initiative.
The specific date for the conference has not yet been determined, as preparations are still underway, according to Hassan al-Daghim, a member of the political guidance body within Syria’s National Army. He indicated that participants will be selected based on their expertise, public recognition, and commitment to inclusivity.
The preparatory committee, which al-Daghim described as “an independent national entity,” is focused on organizing the dialogue, gathering public insights, and ensuring equitable representation. He also highlighted that there is no predetermined quota for participation and that women will play a crucial role in all planning stages.
“Invitations will not be based on an individual’s religion, affiliations, or party connections,” Daghim stated while critiquing the SDF for not being representative of the broader Syrian populace, yet adding that Kurdish involvement would still be welcomed.
The outcomes of the dialogue are expected to result in “recommendations” that will be forwarded to the Syrian presidency, with assailants of the Assad regime being notably excluded, as “their place is in justice,” Daghim remarked.
