Syria’s Civil Society Faces New Challenges in Post-Assad State Reassertion

What happened

Al Jazeera Syria reports that more than a year and a half after President Bashar al-Assad’s fall on December 8, 2024, Syria’s civil society remains in flux as the state moves to reassert control. Bahjat Hajjar, now deputy minister of social affairs and labour, explains that civil society’s relationship with the state is a key factor in the state’s reshaping. Previously, registration and oversight of associations were heavily controlled by intelligence services, with very few groups licensed annually. Today, organisations that once operated outside government lines are registering in Damascus and seeing steep growth in licensing under simpler conditions.

The civil society sector grew during thirteen years of war, filling gaps in public services such as bakeries, clinics, and schools where state presence was absent. Activists and analysts interviewed describe a layered sector formed by old charities, politically linked groups in regime areas, wartime relief organisations, and those born from protest movements since 2011. Despite institutional gains supported by international funding, the sector has never developed a fully mature civic space due to ongoing conflict and state fragility, according to The Day After’s executive director Mutasem Syoufi.

The return of state control poses a dilemma for civil society groups. Many of the functions they assumed during war are now being reclaimed by ministries. While the government has made progress rehabilitating public services, activists like Bashar Moubarak emphasize the continued need for organisations due to enduring state weakness. At the same time, organisations must justify their local legitimacy — a challenging task especially for groups seen to be donor-driven without grassroots trust or clear community representation.

Known from the source

• Al Jazeera Syria reports the fall of Bashar al-Assad occurred on December 8, 2024.
• Bahjat Hajjar, once outside the state, is now deputy minister of social affairs and labour.
• Civil society registration is now reportedly simpler and more numerous than in the past when intelligence services exercised control.
• Syria’s civil sector includes a variety of groups shaped by varied origins — charities, politically linked groups, wartime relief organisations, and protest movement committees.
• The sector has developed under conflict but lacks a fully mature civic space as per experts including Mutasem Syoufi.

What remains unclear

Legal uncertainties compound these challenges. Syria’s civil society remains regulated by a 1958 law requiring prior approval for foreign funding. A 2025 ministry circular enforcing this rule prompted 31 organisations to collectively oppose what they called a return to repressive controls and to call for new legislation. Discussions over a revised legal framework are ongoing. The ministry included civil society consultation in drafting its 2026–2028 strategy, indicating engagement but highlighting tensions between control and partnership.

What remains unclear: Current enforcement status of the 1958 law and 2025 ministry circular on foreign funding. Whether civil society registration procedures have actually become easier as described. How many associations have been licensed since Assad’s fall, with official figures if available. Details on the ministry’s 2026–2028 strategy for civil society and how it is being implemented on the ground.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: Al Jazeera Syria. Open the source.