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

  Intrastate/local conflict ( Syrian Conflicts (1948 - ) (1976 - 2005) (2011 - ) )
• 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.

• Agreement document

  SY_141118_Local ceasefire initiative in Zabadani_TR.pdf | Download PDF
• Agreement document (original language)

  SY_141118_Local ceasefire initiative in Zabadani.pdf | Download PDF

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

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.