The departure of Bashar al-Assad has sparked optimism, but Syria’s transition to democracy remains uncertain. European governments, eager to repatriate Syrian refugees, may soon face new refugee flows if instability persists. Lina Chawaf, a
former TV personality turned activist, oversees Rozana, a pro-democracy radio station, and warns that Syria may fall under the control of Islamist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). HTS, which has links to al-Qaeda, has rejected democracy and enforced a strict version of Islamic rule in areas it controls, such as Idlib.
Despite HTS’s recent attempts to portray itself as a moderate force, it has continued to govern through sharia law, without elections or women in leadership roles. HTS leader Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa has sought Western recognition but remains committed to establishing an Islamic government, similar to the Taliban in Afghanistan. In Idlib, HTS has set up a transitional government, but it remains fundamentally anti-democratic.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while advocating for a non-sectarian and inclusive Syria, did not mention HTS or its oppressive governance. His focus was on ensuring that Syria does not become a base for terrorism or extremism. For Chawaf
and other activists, the fear is that Western pragmatism will lead to engagement with HTS, undermining the fight for freedom.
While Assad’s regime is gone, the struggle for democracy continues, as the country faces the challenge of overcoming sectarian divisions and Islamist control, including HTS threatening progress. True stability will only come if internal divisions are overcome and secular, democratic governance is embraced, not sidelined for short- term pragmatism.