The Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)-led Military Operations Command in Syria has opened a large number of "reconciliation centres" for former personnel from the forces of the ousted Assad regime to hand in their weapons and receive temporary IDs affording them protection.
Syrians who joined Iranian militias or were part of the National Defence Force pro-regime militias have also been instructed to attend these centres.
After handing in all their documents, weapons and equipment they will receive three-month ID cards which exempt them from legal prosecution.
The measure is similar to the process adopted by the former Assad regime when dealing with opposition elements in regions it regained control of, before it fell on 8 December following a rebel offensive.
Reconciliation centres
On 17 December the Military Operations Command called on former officers and personnel from the deposed regime's forces to attend a reconciliation centre they had opened in Deraa city to complete procedures for settling their status.
Those who refused to comply or provided false or incomplete information would face legal action, they warned.
The Military Operations Command began opening these centres on 6 December, first in Aleppo and then followed by many others in areas under control of the body and transitional government.
Reconciliation centres have also been opened in Latakia, Tartous, Homs, Hama, Deir az-Zour and Idlib provinces.
Objections
The measure has faced some opposition however, from former officers, personnel and leaders of the now defunct National Defence Forces.
Prominent figures from the Alawite community also issued statements on Tuesday and Wednesday calling for a "general amnesty for all" and for "the handover of weapons to the state through the formation of an internal security apparatus formed of members from all segments of the Syrian people."
They warned that "some are trying to put us in the line of fire," and criticised "abuses" against residents of the Syrian coast, which was considered a regime stronghold before it fell.
They emphasised the efforts they were making to "protect civil peace" and stated that they would "not allow any violations".
On the other side, many Syrians fear that these reconciliation measures could serve to protect military and security personnel who committed or participated in massacres against Syrian civilians over the past 14 years.
Military analyst Colonel Fayez al-Asmar said to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, °®Âþµº's Arabic-language sister edition, that the reconciliation measures weren't objected to in principle, "but should be limited in scope".
This was because "leniency towards criminals and murderers will lead to disastrous results for the future of the country - everyone who committed a crime or took part in war crimes in Syria must be held accountable," he added.
He emphasised that "the past actions of many officers, whether in the security apparatus, the military, or the Civil Defence - as well as civilians who participated in massacres – mustn't be overlooked or forgotten".
He said there could be "no reconciliation with these individuals and that they need to face justice in transitional courts".
Homs-based military expert Diaa Qaddour stressed that the ongoing reconciliation measures wouldn't present an escape route for those accused of committing massacres against Syrians during the last 14 years.
"Whoever committed or participated in massacres and war crimes won't dare come to the reconciliation centres in the Syrian governorates – particularly as these people are recognised".
He believes the reconciliations will contribute to establishing a "new and different social contract in all of Syria, and building a strong state that can turn the page on the past and open a new page for all Syrians".
Qaddour explained that there is a high turnout at the reconciliation centres, confirming that "the procedures are objective and have a high degree of credibility, which has encouraged many to come and settle their situations in order to return to their normal lives."
He believes the reconciliations measures taking place "will play a major role in establishing security and stability in the country."
He also expressed his view that the reconciliations "are essential; or the fears among the officers and personnel for the new authorities could push them to rebel".
"This policy should be strengthened to maintain security in the country," he added.
This article is based on an article which appeared in our Arabic edition by Mohammed Amin on 19 December 2024. To read the original article click