Applying the Shariah Rulings of Islam is Enough to Solve the Issue of Remnants, and Ethnic Minorities
(Translated)
By Ustadh Ahmed Al-Sourani

In a sudden move on 6 March 2025, large gatherings of remnants of the former Syrian regime launched an attack on police and security headquarters, killing dozens and setting up ambushes targeting the forces of the New Syrian Army, which resulted in the death and injury of hundreds. This coincided with operations carried out by the remnants inside the capital, Damascus, specifically in the Mezzeh neighborhood, which previously hosted gatherings of the regime's army, the National Defense forces, and ‘Shabiha’ militia. Additionally, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) elements moved in northern Aleppo, attempting to expand their areas of control in Aleppo. The Syrian coastal region was on the verge of slipping out of the control of the new Syrian administration, if not for the intervention of tens of thousands of fighters from the revolution’s stronghold in Idlib and the countryside of Aleppo, who headed toward the cities of Latakia, Tartous, Jableh, and Qardaha, regaining control and killing or capturing hundreds of the remnants.

Amid this difficult field reality, the northeastern regions of Syria remain under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), while Suwayda Province continues to witness a form of political rebellion against the new administration, refusing to integrate into the state's political and military structure.

In addition, Jewish forces continue to advance in Quneitra Province, even occupying parts of the countryside of Daraa Province and establishing bases on Mount Hermon, declaring that their presence will be long-term due to their government's fear of developments in Syria, which it considers a “serious threat” and the possibility that Damascus “may attack it” one day. They openly stated that they do not trust Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the attack that toppled Assad and was affiliated with al-Qaeda before severing ties with it in 2016. The Jewish Prime Minister Netanyahu said that his entity will not tolerate the presence of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham or any other forces linked to the new administration in southern Syria and demanded the disarmament of the region.

In light of these circumstances, what is the best way to address these issues, especially the issue of the remnants and their imminent threat?

There is no doubt that the weak handling of this issue by the administration shortly after the liberation (tahrir), by treating them on the basis of “Go, for you are free,” offering them a general amnesty, and settling their situation, is what emboldened them to organize this counterattack. The goal of this attack on the coast was to create an independent enclave, similar to the areas controlled by the SDF and the Druze, who are taking separatist steps that may be supported by some external parties aiming to destabilize the situation in Syria and attempt to recreate the sectarian regime.

The proper approach is to deal with the issue of the remnants with firmness, by arresting the leaders of the crimes and subjecting them to swift trials, to serve as a lesson to others, while ensuring the extraction of the maximum amount of information from them, to pursue others.

The policy of uprooting the former security, military, and political establishment, and holding its top criminals accountable is the only, effective strategy against these criminals, who have shed the blood of Muslims and violated their honor for fourteen years, using every brutal and sadistic method against defenseless civilians, including women and children.

The threat of the remnants still looms. Although the new administration has managed to regain control over the main cities on the coast, the coastal countryside remains filled with thousands of fighters, and criminal leaders, who have taken refuge in the mountains and rugged terrain. The new administration must address this threat and not allow them to remain safe, as they will undoubtedly organize new attacks in the future.

As for the SDF issue, their leader, Mazloum Abdi, rushed to Damascus to sign an agreement with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, stipulating the integration of the SDF with the new government over a period of nine months, until the end of 2025. This suggests that the agreement is not serious about addressing separatism. It was merely intended to calm tensions, and prevent the threat of a potential attack by revolutionary factions on SDF-controlled areas, similar to what happened on the coast.

The gravest political mistake, which will have dangerous consequences in the future, and will lay the foundation for the creation of sectarian enclaves for the SDF and others, is to show leniency toward them, and treat these entities as equals according to the directives of the states conspiring against the people of ash-Sham. They must not be treated as equals, nor should fragile agreements be made with them, that give them the opportunity to persist, and rebel, against the new government. There is no doubt that there are American pressures preventing the military resolution of their issue, which the new administration must overcome and resist, without yielding to any foreign pressure.

As for the Suwayda issue, it must also be resolved militarily, with an emphasis on the fact that thousands of fighters are ready to engage in military operations, and bring all out-of-control areas under authority. Additionally, there is popular support for bringing the remnants, and separatists, under the control of the state.

Dealing with the remnants and other entities must be done firmly based on Islam, by making the Islamic ‘Aqeedah the sole source of the constitution and law, and treating the sects and minorities according to the rulings of Shariah, which guarantee their rights and clarify their obligations.

Applying the Shariah rulings of Islam firmly, so that the people can experience the justice of the Islamic system, and the strength of its authority, is the only way to resolve all issues arising from ethnic minorities. On the other hand, implementing non-Islamic (kufr) systems, and responding to the demands of the conspiring powers, will only worsen the crises and pose a great threat to the people of As-Sham. We have the noble example in the Messenger of Allah (saw) when he dealt with some of the criminals of Quraysh and ordered their execution, even if they clung to the cloth of the Kaaba, as well as his treatment of Banu Qurayza, and the execution of their men, due to their great betrayal during the Battle of the Trench.

Syria needs a righteous Islamic System and a strong leader who governs the Ummah according to the Book of Allah (swt) and the Sunnah of His Prophet (saw), without submitting to foreign pressures, but, instead, confronting all the disbelieving, kafir powers while seeking the Help of Allah (swt) and striving to make the Kalimah (Word) of Allah (swt) as the highest, and for the ruling by Islam to prevail across the land. And perhaps that will be soon.