Syrians in Quneitra call for preserving unity, resisting Israeli occupation
The call was made during a dialogue session held in preparation for a national conference to shape the country's political future
Participants in a dialogue session held in southern Syria's Quneitra Governorate on 22 February have called for preserving the unity of the country, liberating the occupied Golan Heights from Israel, and resisting Israeli incursions into additional Syrian territory.
The dialogue session was organized by the Preparatory Committee for the Syrian National Dialogue Conference, which is tasked with gathering input from Syrians to help shape the country's future, including a new constitution.
The outcome of the national dialogue will be non-binding recommendations to Syria's new government, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its leader, former Al-Qaeda commander Ahmad al-Sharaa.
The participants in the dialogue in Quneitra also called for the appointment of a governor to oversee local governance, the provision of essential services to residents, and the establishment of a special committee for the affairs of the people of Quneitra and the Golan.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, who appointed himself as president of Syria late last month, has stated that three years will be needed to draft a new constitution and that four to five years will be needed to hold presidential elections.
Some Syrians fear that Sharaa may not relinquish power and will impose a fundamentalist religious regime on the country based on the doctrine of Salafism.
Many also fear the country may become divided into ethnic enclaves ruled separately by Sunnis, Druze, and Kurds.
Earlier this week, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed satellite images showing the Israeli army has established 7 new military outposts in territory it illegally occupies in southern Syria.
The Israeli army occupied additional territory in Syria following the collapse of the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad in December.
The Israeli military established the new outposts to serve as operational hubs for troops in the region.
The military built living quarters, command centers, clinics, showers, and restrooms at the outposts.
On 9 January, Israeli officials said that they plan to occupy for "the long run" a 15 km "zone of control" and 60 km "sphere of influence" deeper into Syria.