Syria Syrian parliamentary elections postponed in three provinces
The first parliamentary elections in Syria since the fall of former long-term ruler Bashar al-Assad have been postponed indefinitely in three provinces for security reasons. The southern province of Suwaida and the north-eastern provinces of Hasaka and Rakka are affected, according to a spokesperson for the electoral authority. The election planned for the week of September 15 to 20 will be rescheduled there if the security situation allows.
23.08.2025, 16:10
SDA
Just under a month ago, the authority announced the election of a new, enlarged parliament. A third of the 210 MPs are to be appointed by interim President Ahmed al-Shara. He was the head of the Islamist group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the rebel alliance that toppled long-term ruler Assad at the beginning of December last year after years of civil war. According to a provisional constitution signed by al-Sharaa in March, Syria's political system is to be reformed within a five-year transitional phase.
Violence in Suwaida
Violence broke out in Suwaida in July between members of the Druze minority and Sunni tribal groups. The government in Damascus sent troops to calm the situation according to its own account - but they were also accused of brutal acts of violence against the Druze. Neighboring Israel bombed targets in Syria with the aim of protecting the Druze. According to UN figures, around 190,000 people have been displaced by the fighting. Although a ceasefire has officially been in place since July 20, the situation remains tense.
The provinces of Hasaka and Rakka are under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by Kurdish militias. Their relations with the Syrian government are tense.
