Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has signed a constitutional declaration outlining a five-year transitional period, three months after his Islamist-led rebel coalition overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The move is seen as a significant step in reshaping Syria’s governance, though it has sparked mixed reactions both domestically and internationally.
The temporary constitution maintains Islam as the state religion and stipulates that Islamic jurisprudence will be “the main source of legislation” rather than “a main source,” a shift that signals the growing influence of Islamist factions in the new administration. At the same time, it guarantees judicial independence, women’s rights, freedom of expression, and media freedom, aiming to balance governance with civil liberties.
Interim President Sharaa hailed the constitutional declaration as a foundation for a “new history for Syria” and a replacement for what he described as years of oppression under Assad. “We hope it will mark the beginning of justice and stability,” he said at the signing ceremony. UN special envoy Geir Pedersen welcomed the move, saying it helped “fill an important legal vacuum” and laid the groundwork for a more structured transition.
Despite international recognition, the declaration has faced strong criticism from Syria’s Kurdish-led administration in the northeast, which argues that it fails to reflect the country’s ethnic and religious diversity. Kurdish leaders have called for greater inclusivity in decision-making, warning that the exclusion of key groups could fuel further instability.
The transitional government has also faced accusations of sectarian violence. Last week, armed supporters of Sharaa’s Sunni Islamist-led government were accused of carrying out revenge killings against members of Assad’s minority Alawite sect in the western coastal region. This followed an ambush on a security patrol by gunmen loyal to the former regime, with one monitoring group reporting that nearly 1,500 civilians were killed in the violence.
Sharaa has vowed to hold those responsible accountable and has set up a special committee to investigate the killings. However, many Alawites and other minority groups remain skeptical of his leadership, particularly given his past role as the head of al-Qaeda’s former Syrian affiliate. The incidents have fueled fears that Syria’s transition could be marred by sectarian conflict rather than national unity.
The constitutional declaration establishes a transitional government with a new People’s Assembly responsible for legislation. Two-thirds of the assembly’s members will be appointed by a presidentially selected committee, while the remaining one-third will be directly chosen by the president. The government will oversee the country until a permanent constitution is drafted and free elections are held.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has urged Syria’s new leadership to focus on building an inclusive and peaceful future. “Nothing can justify the killing of civilians,” he said. “The caretaker authorities have made repeated commitments to an inclusive and credible transition.
Now is the time for action.” With deep political fractures and lingering violence, Syria’s path forward remains uncertain, but the signing of the temporary constitution marks a decisive moment in the nation’s turbulent history
