and campaigned for his release. He was still missing in 2015. During the Syrian Civil War The Syrian government arrested three prominent members of the party, after the beginning of the popular uprisings in 2011; Ghias Youn Soud, the party secretary general, Omar Kashash, trade unionist from the city of Aleppo, and Fahmi Yousef. They were all soon released. The party joined the Syrian National Council in 2011 through its participation in the Damascus Declaration. George Sabra was elected as the president of the National Council in 2012. References Further reading External links 1973 establishments in Syria Banned socialist parties Democratic socialist parties in Asia Political parties established in 1973 Political parties in Syria Progressive Alliance Secularism in Syria Social democratic parties in Asia Socialist parties in Syria Syrian nationalism Syrian opposition