The Entry of Syrian Islamic Factions into Politics: Tactical Shift or Genuine Transformation?
Islamist movements expert Islam Al-Katatni offered a detailed analysis of the current state of Islamic factions in Syria, emphasizing that their participation in the political process does not necessarily reflect an intellectual or moral transformation, but could instead be a tactical step within a broader strategic framework.
This perspective, published on the Newsroom website, asserts that the conduct of these factions reflects nothing more than an attempt to reestablish influence at the expense of the central state.
In a phone interview with Extra News, Al-Katatni explained that the policies of major powers—particularly those of the United States—have long been characterized by a clear double standard, especially in their dealings with armed ideologies and terrorism. He added that Washington, London, and Israel’s support for certain Islamist factions after the 2003 invasion of Iraq was part of a larger strategy aimed at creating regional instruments of influence.
From a political standpoint, Al-Katatni argues that what is happening in Syria today is not a fundamental change but rather a reconfiguration of the war theater, where Islamic factions are being presented as political partners or gateways to a solution, while their structural and ideological foundations remain rooted in their earlier doctrines.
He noted that the religious slogans adopted by these groups served as an electoral tool to gain public sympathy, yet did not prevent them from making major concessions once they reached positions of authority.
Regarding the Syrian issue specifically, Al-Katatni warned that incorporating foreign fighters into what is known as the “Syrian National Army” represents a historic mistake, as it creates a contradiction between the army’s components and the national identity of the Syrian state. He argued that this step reflects a disintegration of national priorities among these factions, transforming them into regional instruments rather than genuine partners in nation-building.
The analysis concludes that achieving a political settlement in Syria depends not merely on signing an agreement or forming a government but on resolving a legitimacy crisis: will these factions submit to state authority and the rule of law, or will they continue operating outside the system under the guise of political participation?
Al-Katatni ends his reflection with a poignant question: “Are we truly witnessing a transformation—or merely a clever act of political maneuvering?”
