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The Gulf Cooperation Council has been among the first to respond positively to the changing conditions in Syria. Held just days after the first major incursion by the rebels into areas controlled by the Assad regime, the GCC’s annual summit witnessed extensive discussions on the developments. The summit’s Dec. 1 communique spelled out some of its concerns at the time.
On Dec. 26, GCC foreign ministers held an emergency session focused on Syria. The organization made its position clearer in a detailed statement issued afterward. A visit to Damascus by a high-level GCC delegation followed, during which the new Syrian leadership reassured the visitors of its desire to forge a close partnership, focused on mutual interests and restoring Syria’s historical ties to the Gulf.
Over the past several weeks, the GCC has articulated several priorities in Syria.
First is the need for all to respect Syria’s sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity. In practice, this means ending outside interference in its internal affairs and allowing the Syrian people to sort out their differences. Israel has to refrain from attacking Syria, Iran has to stop meddling, Russia has to respect the wishes of the new rulers and Turkiye and the US have to defer to Damascus on settling the Kurdish issue in northeastern Syria. Biden administration officials have indicated that they will do that and it is hoped that the Trump administration will do the same. Russia has also said that it will respect Syria’s decisions regarding its presence in the country.
First is the need for all to respect Syria’s sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity
Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg
By contrast, Israel has intensified its attacks on Syria and it seized new territory in December, in addition to the Golan Heights it has occupied since 1967. Some Iranian officials have indicated they will continue their divisive approach to Syria by fomenting sectarian strife. Turkiye’s position has been ambiguous and will likely depend on how the Kurdish issue is settled.
Second, the GCC will support an inclusive transition, away from the Assad era’s divisive and sectarian politics. Accountability for the former regime’s atrocities is essential, but it needs to be combined with national reconciliation and inclusion of those who did not commit human rights violations. Syria should celebrate its rich cultural diversity, while avoiding the confessional or ethnicity-based power-sharing systems that have plagued some of its neighbors for decades, allowing fair and meaningful merit-based participation for all.
Third, the GCC supports Syria’s decision to dissolve all militias and armed groups, ensuring that only government forces are allowed to bear arms, while upholding the rule of law and providing protection for all.
Fourth, the Gulf bloc believes that Syria’s security is integral to regional security and hence has welcomed statements by the new rulers that the country will no longer pose a threat to its Arab neighbors and will instead contribute positively to regional peace and security. Through its long-time alliance with extremist forces in Iran, the Assad regime had harbored terrorists working against the Gulf states and waged a drug war against them.
Fifth, the GCC applauded statements that Damascus would engage positively with the international community and with the Arab world, thus reversing Assad’s disregard for the UN and the Arab League. Assad had refused to meet with UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen or comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which mandated a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Similarly, he failed to fulfill his obligations to the Arab League after he was allowed to return to the organization.
Sixth, the GCC is ready to work with international partners to support stabilization and early recovery, which needs to be done urgently. The war in Syria has wreaked havoc on its economy and people’s livelihoods: gross domestic product declined from $68 billion when the war started in 2011 to $9 billion 10 years later — an 87 percent drop. The annual income of the average Syrian is about $400, a fraction of what it was before the war. Exports also shrank from more than $12 billion to less than $2 billion during the same period, a drop of 85 percent. As a result, food insecurity soared, from about 1 percent before the war to about 48 percent in 2022, according to UN figures. Much of Syria’s infrastructure lies in ruins, including roads, electricity, schools, hospitals and homes.
The GCC is calling for an international conference to mobilize resources to provide humanitarian and development aid
Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg
Gulf states have rushed relief supplies to Syria, but that only goes so far. The GCC is calling for an international conference to mobilize resources to provide humanitarian and development aid. Equally important, the conference should provide technical assistance to rebuild state institutions.
Seventh, the GCC recognizes the need for the safe, voluntary and orderly return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. Next to the killings and injury of hundreds of thousands, displacement has been the cruelest feature of the war. According to UN figures, about 7.25 million Syrians were displaced within Syria’s borders in 2023, while more than 4.8 million were refugees abroad. In total, more than 12 million people have been made homeless, about 52 percent of Syria’s population of 23 million. The pace of their return will depend on how fast security and basic services are restored and infrastructure is repaired, including health, education, electricity and water facilities.
Eighth, the GCC expressed support for the UN secretary-general’s call for a new mission to assist Syria in transitioning to normality after the devastation of the 13-year war. This process can be more productive by being Syrian-led. The new authorities have announced plans to hold a comprehensive national dialogue, which is a very promising step toward restoring national unity and social cohesion.
Ninth, the GCC has called on the international community to do its part to help Syria open a new page and prevent a return to the chaos of the civil war. This includes lifting sanctions and providing substantial funds for stabilization, early recovery and for encouraging the private sector to resume its indispensable economic role. The global community should work with the new authorities to combat terrorism and prevent a resurgence of Daesh. More work needs to be done to repatriate the remaining foreign terrorist fighters and their families to their home countries. The US and Turkiye need to wrap up the conflict in the northeast, where they are supporting opposing factions, and the US needs to restrain Israel.
Finally, the GCC supports the regional reintegration of Syria, so that it can play a constructive role in restoring peace and security, instead of being an agent for destabilization and mischief during decades of self-induced estrangement from its neighbors.
- Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is the Gulf Cooperation Council assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiation. The views expressed here are personal and do not necessarily represent the GCC. X: @abuhamad1