The construction of Syrian identity: The post-Baath era

Today, identity is considered a fundamental element in the construction of the modern state, as it provides stability, strengthens the unity of institutions, and supports social cohesion. Identity functions as a binding link that regulates relationships between individuals and groups and shapes interactions among the various components of society. The presence of a clear and shared identity facilitates the consolidation of national belonging and the reinforcement of citizenship awareness. Furthermore, identity serves as a central tool for understanding social and political conflicts and analyzing societal dynamics. Therefore, its significance and function are indispensable in academic studies aimed at understanding the structure of the modern state and ensuring its sustainability. The Syrian state was established after World War I, with the declaration of the Kingdom of Syria under the leadership of Prince Faisal as an effort to form an independent Arab state. However, this political project was quickly halted due to French colonial intervention under the Sykes-Picot Agreement, preventing the establishment of a fully sovereign Syrian state. French colonial policies, following a "divide and rule" strategy, weakened the national structure, supported minorities, and deepened internal divisions. These policies contributed to the fragmentation of national unity and the emergence of competing multiple identities within society, complicating subsequent efforts to build a stable and unified national state. Following the end of French colonial rule, Syria experienced a prolonged period of military coups and political chaos, which weakened state stability and intensified power struggles. With the rise of the Baath Party, Arab nationalist identity was adopted as the official reference of the state. Hafez al-Assad consolidated party control, implemented repressive domestic policies, and pursued a pragmatic approach in foreign relations to secure the state's stability regionally and internationally. Under Bashar al-Assad, no substantial reforms were carried out; repressive structures persisted, security measures tightened, and sectarian tendencies increased, exacerbating internal crises.These conditions set the stage for the outbreak of the Syrian Revolution, which lasted approximately fourteen years and involved local, regional, and international actors, revealing over the long years of war the existence and intensification of conflicts among multiple sub-identities, often detached from national affiliation. By the end of 2024, with the collapse of the regime and the onset of the transitional phase, it became imperative to rebuild a comprehensive Syrian identity that integrates these secondary identities and transforms them into a source of cultural and social diversity, rather than allowing them to become instruments of division and conflict, thereby ensuring national unity and long-term state stability.