Türkiye supported framework to shape governance in post-transition Syria
People walk at the Hamidiyeh market at the old city of Damascus on December 11, 2024. (AFP Photo)
December 12, 2024 04:16 PM GMT+03:00
A governance model inspired by Türkiye's administration of safe zones in northern Syria is expected to serve as the foundation for the country's post-transition period, according to officials and ruling AK Party sources speaking to Turkish Daily.
Türkiye-supported forces as central actors
Syria's new governance framework will reportedly be led by national forces backed by Türkiye. AK Party officials emphasized Türkiye's contributions to administrative and military training in safe zones, home to 5 million people, over the past several years.
- Services in these areas have included local government operations, policing, military training, and public services such as education and health care.
- Abdurrahman Mustafa, the interim prime minister of the Türkiye-supported administration, recently stated that the "Turkish model" would be applied in Damascus, with elections determining future leadership.
The interim government's inclusive council structure, designed to represent all Syrian groups, will provide the framework for future governance.
Türkiye has provided both military and administrative training on the management of the safe zone in northern Syria. A region where 5 million people live has become governed by Türkiye's initiatives.
A model was created from municipal services, military, police, educational institutions to other public services. That model will now be applied in Syria. An experience and know-how has been created.
AK Party official
Interim Prime Minister Mustafa said: "We will apply the Turkish model in Damascus. We will hold elections like in Türkiye and continue with whoever wins," said.
Syrians living in Istanbul celebrate at the courtyard of the Fatih Mosque after the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, Türkiye, December 8, 2024. (AA Photo)People hold a banner featuring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as members of the Syrian community and supporters gather to celebrate the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the face of an offensive by Islamist-led rebels, in Istanbul's Fatih district on December 8, 2024. - Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive that a UN envoy called "a watershed moment" for the nation marred by civil war. (Photo by KEMAL ASLAN / AFP)A Syrian shop owner arranges his products at Malta bazaar, with other mainly Syrian shopkeepers at Fatih district in Istanbul, on December 6, 2024. - 500,000 Syrian refugees live in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. A total of three million throughout the country, out of the more than 14 million Syrians displaced by the civil war that has claimed half a million lives in Syria since 2011. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)A man sits in front of a Syrian restaurant at Malta bazaar, with other mainly Syrian shopkeepers at Fatih district in Istanbul, on December 6, 2024. - 500,000 Syrian refugees live in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. A total of three million throughout the country, out of the more than 14 million Syrians displaced by the civil war that has claimed half a million lives in Syria since 2011. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
Post-transition reconstruction plans
AK Party sources highlighted the dual economic and political reconstruction efforts set to follow the interim government’s tenure.
- Türkiye has close ties with over 10 million Syrians, including 5 million in safe zones, 1.5 million who have passed through Türkiye to Europe, and 3 million living within Türkiye.
- Approximately half of these Syrians are fluent in Turkish, a factor Ankara sees as key to fostering strong bilateral cooperation.
There will be economic and political reconstruction. Currently, there are 10 million Syrians who have organic ties with Türkiye, including 5 million in the safe zone, 1.5 million who have crossed to Europe via Türkiye and 3 million who are in Türkiye, and at least 5 million of them speak Turkish. This is an important data.
Türkiye wants to establish a structure in Syria in which all views are represented and a system in which all segments have a high representation power. Because the system that Türkiye has established in the region where 5 million people live and which covers all segments has worked without any problems so far.
AK Party official
December 12, 2024 04:16 PM GMT+03:00