The University of EdinburghPeace Agreements DatabasePeaceRep

Local ceasefire initiative in Zabadani

  • Country/entity

    Syria
  • Region

    Middle East and North Africa
  • Agreement name

    Local ceasefire initiative in Zabadani
  • Date

    18 Nov 2014
  • Agreement status

    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement

    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level

  • Stage

    Ceasefire/related
  • Conflict nature

    Government
  • Peace process

    Intra-Syrian Process (state/non-state)
  • Parties

    The people of Zabadani
  • Third parties

    -
  • Description

    Ceasefire initiative launched by the people of Zabadani to bring an end to the fighting with Syrian forces, facilitate the return of the displaced and detainees, and the return to normal life for civilians.


Local agreement properties

  • Process type

    Isolated example
  • Rationale

    The agreement is a civilian initiative that does not seem to have been signed by representatives of the Syrian regime or Syrian forces - although it aims to preserve 'the status of the state'. Moreover, at the time the ceasefire initiative was launched, there was no culture of signing agreements as a medium to solve recurring issues in this locale and to reach peace. More agreements will be signed in Zabadani in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
  • Is there a documented link to a national peace process?

    T
  • Link to national process: articulated rationale

    While the agreement does not seem to have been signed by representatives of the Syrian regime or Syrian forces, it aims to preserve 'the status of the state' and foster cooperation between representatives of the Syrian state and civilians.
  • Name of Locale

    Zabadani and surrounding agricultural lands
  • Nature Of Locale

    Region
  • GPS Lat/Long (DD)

    33.727884, 36.103005
  • Participant type

    Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
  • 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 Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

    Page 1,
    [...] relying on Allah and the efforts of the faithful people, no to stand in front of some obstacles, which will disappear with the coming days, Allah willing.
  • Grievance List

    No specific mention.

  • Cattle rustling/banditry

    No specific mention.

  • Social cover

    No specific mention.


In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Agreement

We, the people of Zabadani, based on sincere intentions and solid effort to spare bloodshed, welcome every initiative that carries a glimmer of hope to solve this crisis that has destroyed the country and the people, relying on Allah and the efforts of the faithful people, no to stand in front of some obstacles, which will disappear with the coming days, Allah willing.

To preserve the dignity of the citizen and his property, and the status of the state, and its civil and service institutions, we wish to end the fighting in our city and the surrounding agricultural lands and restore civil and service institutions in preparation for the return of the displaced and detainees to their homes, enabling farmers to work in their farms safely and the return to normal life for civilians.

This requires the following:

1. Form a committee of the people and the state with the authority to follow up the implementation of this agreement and to deal with violations and all developments.

2. Declare a cease-fire from both sides, and this includes stopping the bombing from checkpoints and planes, sniping, arrests and raids by the state, stopping all military actions by fighters and ending armed manifestations within the limits of the agreement.

3. Cooperation of the two parties to reactivate all civil and service institutions (the municipality – the court – water [directorate] – post office – title deed – schools – electricity – water – … etc.

4. The return of the manager of the district and his former police force staff to carry out their duties.

5. Working to release detainees from prisons because of these events.

6. Lifting the siege on the city and bringing in foodstuffs, medicines and fuel supplies, construction materials and agricultural supplies.

7. Enable farmers to work in their agricultural lands in the plain and the mountain.

8. The boundaries of this agreement are in the city of Zabadani and the surrounding agricultural lands that are extended from the land of Francis to the heal of the Castle [Zahra Castle], to Ain Shakhoub, Ein al-Ramla, al-Dala, Bloudan, the constructions to al-Ma’moura, to Bukain.