A new public opinion survey by Syria in Transition offers one of the first detailed snapshots of political attitudes in Syria since the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime. The inaugural “Syria Poll,” conducted in early February 2026, surveyed residents in Damascus, Rural Damascus and Homs.
The magazine, a monthly publication focused on Syrian politics, society, economics and culture, said the poll examines how residents assess living conditions, government performance and recent political developments.
One of the clearest findings concerns recent clashes and integration negotiations between authorities in Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). According to the survey, 69% of respondents say the SDF bears responsibility for the latest escalation, while just 2% attribute blame to the government in Damascus.
In southern Syria, where tensions persist amid Israel’s continued incursions and occupation of Syrian land, respondents favor restraint. Only 5% support a purely military response. Half of those surveyed prefer diplomatic engagement, while 36% favor no immediate action. An additional 9% back a combination of military and diplomatic measures.
Foreign Presence and European Engagement
The survey also asked about the continued presence of Russian military bases. Views remain divided. Forty-two percent say the presence is not acceptable at all, while 32% say it depends on specific conditions with 13% considering it “generally acceptable.”
By contrast, perceptions of Europe’s role in Syria are more favorable. Sixty-one percent of respondents rate the European role as “positive” of “very positive,” while 17% describe it as “negative” or “very negative.” These results suggest that while Syrians remain cautious about foreign military footprints, many differentiate between security arrangements and diplomatic or reconstruction engagement.
Support for Government and Rule of Law
Fourteen months after Assad’s collapse, the poll indicates broad, though uneven, support for the current government. Overall, a majority express support, with backing rising alongside self-identified income. Around 90% of respondents who describe themselves as high-income report moderate or strong support for the government, compared with 65% among those who identify as low-income.
Confidence in institutions also appears relatively strong. A majority rate the rule of law positively, though responses vary by location. In Damascus, about 75% describe the rule of law as good. The figure falls to 67% in Homs and 56% in Rural Damascus. Perceptions of personal safety follow a similar pattern. Approximately 76% of respondents in Damascus say they feel safe, compared with 62% in Homs and 61% in Rural Damascus.
Transitional Justice and Direction of Travel
The survey points to cautious optimism about Syria’s trajectory. Forty-nine percent of respondents say they are satisfied with current conditions, while 16% report dissatisfaction and 35% take a neutral stance. On transitional justice, 56% say they trust the government to deliver accountability, while 23% say they do not and 21% remain unsure.
Asked about the country’s broader direction, 63% say Syria is heading in the right direction. Syria in Transition describes the poll as the first wave of an ongoing series. As the country navigates reconstruction and political change, the publication says it aims to track how public sentiment evolves across regions and social groups.
