Janice R. Andrews
Syria, a nation battered by more than a decade of civil war, now faces an even more insidious threat: a surge of disinformation that could unravel any hope for lasting peace. Experts warn that misleading narratives spread by both local and global players are deepening existing divisions, potentially dragging the country back into violence.
Since the fall of the Assad regime, Syria has become flooded with false and misleading information. Fabricated stories, ranging from the removal of Christmas trees by the new government to fake reports about women being sold as slaves, are spreading across social media platforms. These falsehoods are manipulating emotions, stoking fear, and deepening societal rifts.
The Surge of Disinformation
Zouhir al-Shimale, a researcher and communications manager for Verify-Sy, a Syrian fact-checking organization, points to the notable rise in disinformation since Assad’s fall. He explains that “years of revolution and war have left deeply rooted grievances,” and various factions—both local and international—are exploiting misinformation to further their political goals and delegitimize rivals.
Under Assad, Syria’s media landscape was tightly controlled, with the regime feeding its own narrative of events. The regime’s collapse, however, has left an information void, leaving the public increasingly vulnerable to misleading and manipulative content.
Misleading Stories Deepening Divisions
Social media has become a hotspot for the spread of misinformation. Fact-checkers, such as Misbar, have debunked several fabricated claims, including:
- Christmas Trees Removed: Viral posts claimed Syria’s new government removed Christmas trees. In reality, this occurred in Karbala, Iraq, in 2023.
- Slave Markets: Allegations of women being sold as slaves in Syria were traced back to a 2013 project by Kurdish artist.
These fake stories not only deceive but also exacerbate tensions among Syria’s diverse communities, including the Alawites, Kurds, and secular groups, who fear the rise of extremism and violence.
International Players Behind the Misinformation
Disinformation isn’t just a local issue; international actors have also been actively involved. Russia and Iran, two staunch supporters of the Assad regime, have reportedly continued their efforts to manipulate information, pushing their own narratives to maintain influence in the region.
Marcos Sebares Jimenez-Blanco, a fellow at the German Marshall Fund, notes that Russia and Iran have been working hard to “shape the narrative surrounding developments in Syria” to compensate for their geopolitical setbacks in the region.
Amplifying Fear Among Minorities
One disturbing tactic is targeting Syria’s minority communities with fear-driven narratives. Fake social media pages masquerading as human rights organizations have been used to spread disinformation, sowing fear among groups like the Alawites and urging them to resist.
For example, a manipulated video claiming to show the desecration of an Alawite shrine sparked widespread protests in Alawite-majority areas. Although the video was later debunked, the damage had already been done, stirring tensions and fear.
The Role of Social Media and Global Agendas
The disinformation crisis is also being fueled by various external groups with differing agendas.
- Kurdish Supporters: Critics of HTS, concerned about their Islamist agenda.
- Secularists and Minorities: Wary of HTS’s potential imposition of strict religious laws.
- Far-Right Groups: Amplifying Islamophobic content to label Syria as a “Jihadistan.”
- Conspiracy Theorists: Claiming HTS is a proxy for the US or Israel.
These groups have created a toxic environment where misleading narratives spread rapidly, each amplifying their own fears and concerns about Syria’s future.
The Impact of Disinformation on Peace and Stability
The consequences of disinformation are not limited to domestic unrest. It has already started to reshape Syria’s international reputation, potentially limiting foreign support for the transitional government. According to Zouhir al-Shimale, the spread of false information could portray Syria as an unstable nation unable to manage its post-Assad recovery, discouraging outside assistance.
Disinformation also threatens the fragile peace inside Syria itself. Misleading reports fuel violence, distrust, and sectarian divisions, undermining efforts to build a united, peaceful nation.
Addressing the Disinformation Crisis
To mitigate the impact of disinformation in Syria, a multi-pronged approach is needed:
- Fact-Checking Efforts: Organizations like Verify-Sy and Misbar are essential in countering fake news and educating the public.
- Promoting Media Literacy: Encouraging Syrians to verify sources and critically assess the content they consume is vital.
- Social Media Oversight: Social platforms must do more to monitor and remove harmful content, especially as misinformation spreads quickly in conflict zones.
- Global Cooperation: International governments and organizations should collaborate to counter disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing the region.
The Fragile Future of Syria
As Syria struggles to rebuild, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Rana Ali Adeeb, a scholar at Concordia University, emphasizes that during such fragile times, even a single piece of misinformation can incite violence or influence political decisions.
Syria stands at a crossroads, and the risks posed by disinformation could undermine its journey toward peace. The international community must act quickly and decisively to address this issue before it reignites conflict.
Conclusion
The flood of disinformation in Syria is a threat not only to the nation’s stability but also to its future. As both local and international actors push their agendas through false narratives, Syria faces the very real danger of slipping back into civil war.
It is crucial that global actors, fact-checking organizations, and Syrians themselves work together to combat the spread of misinformation. Only by doing so can Syria hope to break free from the cycle of manipulation and move toward a peaceful, stable future.
