News Center — More than a decade after the outbreak of war, Syrians continue to suffer from the consequences of conflict and foreign interference, with outside powers exploiting the crisis to advance their own agendas. The situation deteriorated further when HTS took control at the end of 2024. Since its early months in power, the group has carried out systematic abuses against women and various communities, stoking sectarian strife.

Amid this turmoil, youth and women—who played a central role in the revolution—are seen as key to building a comprehensive Syrian-led dialogue that ensures national unity and lays the foundation for peace and justice.

Women and youth in building Syria’s future

Valentina Abdo, co-chair of the Organizational Office of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Qamishlo, described the Syrian revolution as a “lost opportunity.” She said: “The Syrian revolution began as a chance to build a new Syria, but foreign powers quickly intervened, drawing lines and strategies to make themselves the primary beneficiaries of the crisis. These forces seek to dominate Syria, but they fail to understand that Syria cannot survive without its cultural and social diversity.”

She recalled the period after the fall of the Ba’ath regime, “The Ba’ath government long enforced a policy of one color and repression, which heavily burdened the Syrian people. When the regime collapsed, hopes for a democratic and just life were renewed. But reality turned out differently—violations, killings, and looting escalated, women were marginalized, and attacks on the people continued without accountability, while the government dismissed them as isolated incidents.”

Abdo warned that continued chaos under HTS rule threatens to destroy the country, “Every day Syrians wake up to horrifying scenes of murder, kidnapping, rape, and theft. This fuels widespread disorder and deepens the feeling that the so-called interim government does not serve the people’s interests but rather those of capitalist states. Its decisions lack public participation, paving the way for further foreign intervention and complicating the crisis. This trajectory risks igniting a large-scale civil war, with massacres that would drag Syria backward.”

Call for Syrian unity

Abdo emphasized the urgency of national unity and dialogue, “Since the start of the revolution, the Autonomous Administration has affirmed its readiness for a Syrian-Syrian dialogue as the only solution. Attempts have been made, but we Syrians must recognize the gravity of this stage and the importance of unity—especially now, as the fate of our people is being decided.”

She stressed that women and youth carry a special responsibility, “We, as women and youth, must intensify our efforts and prepare to engage in dialogue with all Syrian parties. We led the revolution in Rojava and continue to do so. We must analyze the current situation, discuss solutions, and prevent a civil war. We must also protect our regions with the spirit of the people’s revolutionary struggle and be ready to confront any threat. We succeeded in defending our areas from ISIS, and we are still safeguarding the gains of the revolution.”

According to Abdo, true victory and the implementation of a democratic project in Syria require stronger organization, “We must organize ourselves more effectively and spread this vision across all of Syria. Organization is the only way to confront the dangers threatening the country. Global and capitalist powers aim to deepen the crisis and impose plans harmful to the people’s interests. We call on Syrians to unite, take ownership of their future, and prevent external powers from interfering in our affairs. Only through a unified voice and collective strength can we build a Syria for all, rooted in justice.”

She concluded, “The solution lies in the hands of Syrians themselves. Our people have always lived together, hand in hand. We are determined to resolve this crisis through unity and dialogue. Our solidarity poses the greatest threat to the foreign actors that seek to divide us.”

Standing united against sectarian strife 

Maryam Ibrahim, a resident of Raqqa in North and East Syria, described the violations unfolding across the country—particularly in Damascus, Sweida, and the Syrian coast—as crimes against humanity. “Since Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control of Syria, the country has become a stage for sectarian conflict and violence. A civil war erupted following massacres and atrocities committed against the Alawite and Druze communities, crimes that did not spare children or the elderly. Even deliberate forest fires in the coastal region, known as a tourist destination, were part of this wave of destruction,” she said.

Ibrahim expressed fears of another civil war, citing “widespread insecurity, sectarian incitement, and the use of propaganda to distort crimes.” She stressed that “with no rule of law to prevent further abuses or hold perpetrators accountable, fear of renewed civil conflict has spread among the population.”

She recalled the experience of North and East Syria under ISIS occupation: “We endured similar atrocities during ISIS’s control of our areas. Despite cultural and geographical differences among communities, we showed solidarity and support for all Syrians. This proves that the Syrian people are one, and we reject these crimes.”

According to Ibrahim, North and East Syria has since lived in stability under the Democratic Nation project, which promotes coexistence. “This model of peaceful living has made the region a target for outside forces seeking to undermine it, including attempts to revive ISIS. Meanwhile, the international community remains indifferent to ongoing atrocities, effectively granting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham a green light to escalate and sustain these crimes,” she warned.

She added that local communities are working proactively to prevent further escalation: “We are holding meetings with residents to explain the latest developments and expose the forces behind these divisions. By raising awareness, we aim to prevent people from falling into the trap of sectarian incitement and hate speech, and to foil the plans designed to tear Syrians apart.”

Ibrahim highlighted the central role of women and youth in averting civil war: “Young people and women are the backbone of society and carry the greatest responsibility for protecting the region from sectarian strife. We want peace to prevail across Syria—our country has endured enough bloody wars. All communities must unite to stop this dangerous trajectory. Without serious steps to end these violations, Syria risks sliding into another civil war.”