The incident in Afqa has reopened a debate that goes far beyond a dispute over a river or a public space. It has exposed the legacy of years of unchecked power, where influence becomes a perceived right to control, public property is treated as territory to be claimed, and force is used to impose fees and conditions on others.
Collecting weapons may be a necessary step toward restoring the authority of the state, but weapons are not the only legacy of this era. More dangerous is the mentality that grew accustomed to operating above the law and treating rivers, roads, and land as if they belonged to whoever holds the most power.
A weapon can be surrendered by decision. Ending intimidation, coercion, and the culture of impunity requires something deeper: a state that restores the rule of law, protects public space, and guarantees that no citizen is left at the mercy of those with influence.
