Syria has been at the center of one of the most devastating conflicts in modern history for over a decade.
The civil war, which began in 2011, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, millions of refugees, and the destruction of countless cities and infrastructures.
Today, while some areas of Syria are under the control of government forces, others continue to be battlefields, and the Syrian people are still grappling with the scars of a conflict that seems never-ending. Despite the devastation, there is a hope that should not be abandoned: Syria deserves inclusive peace.
Inclusive peace is a concept that involves not only the end of hostilities but also the creation of a political and social system that engages all the ethnic, religious, and political groups of the country. Syria, an ethnically and religiously diverse nation, needs a peace process that guarantees the rights of all its communities, including Sunnis, Alawites, Christians, Kurds, Druze, and other minorities. Peace cannot be achieved simply through the cessation of battles but also through the building of a future where every citizen feels respected, represented, and involved.
A key aspect of this inclusive peace is the participation of various political groups, including those that have opposed the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Lasting peace in Syria cannot be achieved if a segment of the population is excluded from the political process. The path to reconciliation and reconstruction must involve a policy of inclusivity and dialogue, where the voices of all Syrians are heard.
One of the most recent appeals for peace in Syria has come from an important European political figure: the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. However, another important message of hope has come from the President of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, who has often emphasized the need to address the Syrian crisis not only through a humanitarian approach but also with a political commitment aimed at stabilizing the region.
Kallas has stated that Europe has the duty to continue supporting Syria in its path to peace, but she has also warned that any attempt to normalize relations with Assad’s regime, without real inclusivity and without respecting citizens’ rights, would be a mistake.
Kallas’ words focus on the need for a balanced and just approach. In a recent interview, she emphasized that the European Union must not yield to temptations of “easy compromises” with a regime that has committed serious human rights violations. Peace, she noted, is not just a ceasefire, but a true political transformation that involves all Syrian actors, from civil society to political parties.
The Estonian president also reiterated the importance of supporting Syria’s reconstruction, but only if it takes place in a context that promotes justice and the respect of human rights. The international community, Kallas declared, must exert constant pressure on Assad’s regime to commit to a peace process that guarantees the rights of all people, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
Despite the challenges, the words of Kallas and other international leaders who are committed to a pacified and inclusive Syria represent a beacon of hope. Peace will not come easily, but the Syrian people deserve a future where they can live free from fear and division, in a Syria that respects the dignity and rights of every individual.
The international community has a duty to continue supporting the Syrian people, not only through humanitarian aid but also by pushing for a political process that lays the foundations for genuine reconciliation. The inclusive peace that Syria deserves is one that involves everyone: the government, the opposition, and the minorities, with no exclusions. Only through dialogue and mutual respect can we hope to see a united and pacified Syria, a future that may seem distant today but that, with determination, can be built.