Ahmed Shara, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) administration in Syria, signed a declaration outlining the basic provisions of the interim constitution. The de facto administration in northern Syria, led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDG) which signed an agreement with HTS earlier this week, rejected the articles in the draft constitution, stating that they are “identical to the laws on which the Ba’ath regime is based.”

In a statement made on behalf of the de facto administration, which calls itself the “Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria” under the leadership of the SDG, it was stated, “Months after the fall of the Ba’ath regime and despite the joy of the Syrian people who rebelled against this regime and its oppressive practices, a ‘Draft Constitution’ declaration was published in Damascus.”

The statement claimed that the articles in the draft constitution are “identical to the laws on which the Ba’ath regime is based” and are “far from the reality and diversity of Syria.”

It was stated that the draft constitution excludes the main components of Syria’s national structure, including Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, and other ethnic and religious groups, and that they reject and condemn the draft in its current form.

“This so-called constitutional framework does not reflect the demands of the Syrian people and its various communities,” the statement said. “The Syrian people revolted against such practices, and a return to this outdated approach will further deepen the nation’s wounds.”

The statement continued: “The correct constitution that should be in place is one prepared and agreed upon by all communities. We hope that some exclusive, narrow-minded views and thoughts do not take us back to square one. Only in this way can it serve as the foundation for a sustainable democratic future in Syria.”

An agreement was reached between the HTS administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDG) on Monday, March 10. The agreement, signed between Ahmed Shara, the leader of the HTS administration, and Mazlum Abdi, the leader of the SDG, envisioned the integration of the SDG into Syrian state institutions.

Yesterday, three days after the agreement with the SDG, Shara signed a 53-article declaration outlining the basic provisions of the interim constitution. According to the declaration, the constitution includes the article, “The religion of the President is Islam, and Islamic law (fiqh) is the main source of legislation.”

The constitution, which envisages a five-year transition period, grants Shara, who is declared the “interim President,” executive power, the authority to appoint one-third of the legislative body, and the power to appoint judges to the constitutional court. Shara will also have the power to declare a state of emergency. Additionally, all political party activities in the country are suspended until the political parties law comes into effect.

According to Anadolu Agency, the highlights of the interim constitutional declaration are as follows:

– Article 1: The Syrian Arab Republic is a fully independent and sovereign state. Its geographical and political unity is indivisible, and no part of it can be relinquished.

– Article 2: The religion of the President is Islam, and Islamic law (fiqh) is the main source of legislation. Freedom of belief is guaranteed. The state respects all heavenly religions and guarantees freedom of worship. However, this freedom must not violate public order.

– Article 6: All citizens have equal rights and obligations before the law. Discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or lineage is prohibited.

– Article 7: The personal status of religious communities is protected and applied in accordance with their beliefs and Sharia. It is regulated within the framework of existing laws.

– Article 8: The state regulates the national economy based on social justice, free competition, and the prevention of monopolies. It supports production sectors, encourages investment, and protects investors to strengthen sustainable development.

– Article 13: The state guarantees freedom of expression, thought, press, publication, and media. These rights are regulated by law to protect public order and respect the rights of others.

– Article 14: The state recognizes the right to political participation and the freedom to form parties based on national foundations. A commission will be formed to prepare the party law, and party activities will be suspended until this law comes into effect.

– Article 15: The state commits to protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international conventions and humanitarian norms.

– Article 16: The state protects the family as the foundation of society and commits to supporting motherhood and childhood.

– Article 17: The state commits to protecting the social status and active role of women and protecting them from all forms of violence and discrimination.

– Article 18: The state commits to protecting children from abuse and mistreatment and ensuring their access to education and health services.

– Article 20: The People’s Assembly is appointed by the President and performs legislative duties until a permanent constitution is adopted and new parliamentary elections are held.

– Article 27: The President is the head of state, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the highest authority responsible for the administration of the country.

– Article 35: The judiciary is independent. Judges are bound only by law and their conscience.

– Article 36: No crime or punishment can be applied without a legal regulation. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Extraordinary courts cannot be established.

According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), based on US and Israeli officials, the US and Israel have contacted officials from three East African countries to resettle Palestinians displaced from Gaza, within the framework of Trump’s proposed plan for the post-war period.

According to the AP, the discussions held with Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland, which seceded from Somalia, demonstrate the determination of the US and Israel to implement this plan, which has sparked serious reactions and debates. The fact that these countries are impoverished and, in some cases, shaken by violence casts a shadow over Trump’s goal of resettling Palestinians in a “beautiful area,” according to the AP.

Sudanese officials stated that they rejected the proposals from the US, while officials from Somalia and Somaliland told the AP they were unaware of any contacts.

Two Sudanese officials confirmed that the Trump administration approached the government about accepting Palestinians. One of the officials said that the contacts began before Trump took office, with offers of military assistance against the RSF, post-war reconstruction, and other incentives. Both officials said the Sudanese government rejected the idea. One official stated, “This proposal was immediately rejected. No one has brought up this issue again.”

According to Trump’s plan, more than 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza will be permanently relocated to other regions. The plan envisages the US taking control of Gaza, conducting a comprehensive cleansing process, and developing the area as a real estate project.

Previously seen as a fantasy of the Israeli far-right, this idea was described as a “bold vision” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Trump raised it at a White House meeting last month.

Palestinians in Gaza rejected the proposal and did not accept Israel’s claims that migration would be voluntary. Arab countries also strongly opposed the plan, proposing an alternative reconstruction plan that envisions Palestinians remaining in the region. Human rights groups also state that forcing or pressuring Palestinians to migrate could constitute a potential war crime.

Despite this, the White House announced that it “stands behind Trump’s vision.”

The Palestinian Authority has also opposed Adam Boehler, Trump’s special hostage envoy, whose direct talks with Hamas have strained US-Israel relations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the meeting with Hamas but said it was a failed attempt and that the main negotiations were continuing in Qatar.

Disagreements persist between the parties in the negotiations aimed at permanently ending the conflicts in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages. Under the temporary ceasefire in January, 33 Israeli hostages (dead and alive) were released, and in return, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were freed. However, the most challenging parts of this agreement were left for later stages. Hamas wants to continue negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, but Israel refuses to put this issue on the table. In contrast, the possibility of a temporary compromise is being considered.

After the parties failed to agree and the ceasefire was jeopardized, Boehler, opening a separate channel, met directly with Hamas officials for the first time. Boehler, criticized by Israel after the talks were leaked to the press, said his aim was to secure the release of the last surviving American hostage in Gaza. However, Boehler also angered Israeli officials, who were already worried about not being informed of the talks, by saying that Hamas, whom he called “good guys,” was ready to lay down arms in exchange for a ceasefire and that the US had separate interests from Israel. Boehler then stated, “We are the US, not Israel’s agent.”

Secretary of State Rubio tried to alleviate Israel’s concerns by saying of Boehler’s talks with Hamas, “It doesn’t mean he was wrong to try. But our primary focus is the process in Qatar.”

While Israel criticized the US, the Palestinian Authority also announced its displeasure with Hamas’s meeting with the US side. Hamas stated that the Palestinian Authority should have ended its security coordination with Israel before making these criticisms.

According to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA, Palestinian Presidency Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh argued that Hamas’s “establishing contact and negotiating with foreign parties fragments the Palestinian national stance.” Abu Rudeineh claimed that Hamas’s “communicating with foreign parties without national authorization is against Palestinian law.”

Pointing out that Hamas held the talks in question before the Arab League Summit held on March 4 in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, Abu Rudeineh argued that this situation was an attempt to weaken the Arab stance supporting the Palestinian cause. Abu Rudeineh called on Hamas to leave the administration of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority.

Speaking to Al Jazeera television about Ramallah’s statement, Abdulhakim Hanini, one of the Hamas leaders, said that the Palestinian Authority’s statement was “unacceptable.”

Hanini said, “The Palestinian Authority’s statement about Hamas communicating with foreign parties is unacceptable. The Palestinian Authority needs to end its security coordination with the occupying Israel before accusing us of espionage.”