Statement on behalf of two parties in al-Waer neighbourhood, Homs.

Country/entity
Syria
Region
Middle East and North Africa
Agreement name
Statement on behalf of two parties in al-Waer neighbourhood, Homs.
Date
31 Aug 2016
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Intrastate/local conflict
Stage
Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature
Government
Peace process
Intra-Syrian Process (state/non-state)
Parties
43 signatories on behalf of 'two parties in al-Waer neighbourhood, Homs'. According to secondary sources, the representatives are from Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly al-Nusra Front).
Third parties
-
Description
Agreement by 43 'representatives' agreeing to 'accept the political solution within our neighbourhood'. This includes the transfer of a payment from the neighbourhood (unspecified to whom). Although not explicit in text, agreement negotiates the evacuation of 500 opposition fighters and a few civilians from al-Waer to Idlib according to secondary sources.


Local agreement properties

Process type
Informal but persistent process
Rationale
-> Local issues only; no external support mechanism; culture of signing There is no formally established mechanism to support the negotiation between rebel armed groups and the Syrian government. Yet, the struggle between those two parties lies at the centre of the Syrian conflict and has been a recurring point of contention ever since 2011. Moreover, it seems that the Syrian government agreed to manage its conflict with opposition groups through peace agreements, especially in main cities such as Homs. This is mainly the result of local and international pressure to limit the use of violent mean and protect civilians. Hence, one could argue that this agreement has been signed in the framework of a repeated process - although one cannot speak of a 'culture" of signing peace agreements.
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
No
Link to national process: articulated rationale
It seems complicated to link this agreement to the national peace process in Syria. The singing parties clearly intend to keep this agreement circumscribed to al-Waer neighbourhood, as they mention; "we declare our decision to accept the political solution within the neighbourhood".
Name of Locale
al-Waer neighbourhood
Nature of Locale
Smaller
GPS Lat/Long (DD)
34.742008, 36.663823
Participant type
Local armed group
Mediator, facilitator or similar
No mention of mediator or similar

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)
Page 1, In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Grievance List
Page 1,
In order to stop the bloodshed of neighbourhood residences, and to achieve their dignity, we declare our decision to accept the political solution within the neighbourhood.
Cattle rustling/banditry

No specific mention.

Social cover

No specific mention.


In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

We, the undersigned, on behalf of the two parties in Al-Waer neighbourhood, after studying the developments in the neighbourhood and in the region, and after reviewing the statement issued by the sheikhs and preachers in the neighbourhood.

We issue the following statement:

In order to stop the bloodshed of neighbourhood residences, and to achieve their dignity, we declare our decision to accept the political solution within the neighbourhood.

In accordance with the statement of the sheikhs and preachers, including the transfer of the required payment from the neighbourhood and on the way to restore normal life to the neighbourhood, specially all institutions and departments in it.

And we sign:

[43 signatories]

Abdu al-Halim [signature]

Nizam Siraj [signature]

[Illegible] [signature]

Ahmed al-Tavil [signature]

[Illegible] Fida’ [signature]

Dr Abdu al-Mufahid [Illegible] [signature]

Attar [illegible] [signature]

Dr Ali [illegible] al-Jumma’ [signature]

Abu Khalid al-Wa’ri [signature]

Eng. Abu Ahmad [signature]

[illegible] al-Khalil [signature]

Ali [Illegible] [signature]

Uthman [illegible] [signature]

Umar Ahmed al-Hamd [signature]

Faras al-Rahim Abu Sulayman [signature]

Muhammed [illegible] [signature]

Faras al-Shami [signature]

Khalil al-Hamd [signature]

Ahmad Ghadir [signature]

Wa’il [illegible] [signature]

[Illegible] Rifa’ [signature]

Salah Khilas [signature]

[Illegible] al-Hamd [signature]

Ahmed [illegible] [signature]

Nasir al-Muhammed [signature]

Uns Awni [signature]

Abd al-Nihari [illegible] [signature]

Lecturer Muhammed Nassib Safur [signature]

Umran Ezzidin [signature]

Ghassan Nasir [signature]

Yussuf al-Khalid [signature]

Sulayman al-Shumali [signature]

Muhammad Diya’ [illegible] [signature]

‘Amar Rajub [signature]

Fahad Z’arur [signature]

Muhammed Tafakul [signature]

Abu Jihad [signature]

Nasir al-Salih [signature]

Abu Walid [signature]

Abu ‘Adi [signature]

Abu Ahmad [signature]

Abu ‘Abdallah [signature]

Abd al-Rahman Ezzidin [signature]