Syria’s President al-Sharaa Calls for National Unity to Rebuild, Marking One Year Since al-Assad’s Fall

DAMASCUS – Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Monday called on all citizens to unite in rebuilding their shattered nation, as the country marked the first anniversary of the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

Speaking after dawn prayers at Damascus’s historic Umayyad Mosque, al-Sharaa—dressed in the military fatigues he wore during the dramatic capture of the capital—praised the “sacrifices and heroism” of the fighters who ended the al-Assad dynasty’s five-decade rule. His remarks were conveyed in an official statement from the presidency.

“The current phase requires the unification of efforts by all citizens to build a strong Syria, consolidate its stability, safeguard its sovereignty, and achieve a future befitting the sacrifices of its people,” al-Sharaa declared.

The anniversary commemorates the lightning offensive launched in late November of last year by the al-Sharaa-led alliance, which culminated in the seizure of Damascus on December 8 after nearly 14 years of devastating civil war. The victory overturned the iron-fisted governance of the al-Assad family, whose reign began with Bashar’s father, Hafez, in 1970.

Celebrations over the past week reached their peak on Monday with a military parade through the capital and a planned public address by the president.

A Mixed Legacy of Progress and Peril

In his first year, President al-Sharaa has made significant strides in rehabilitating Syria’s international standing, negotiating crucial sanctions relief and re-establishing diplomatic ties with several regional and global powers. His government has also restored basic services to many war-ravaged areas and initiated symbolic reconstruction projects in central Damascus.

Nevertheless, formidable challenges loom. The president must navigate a fraught path toward securing lasting peace, rebuilding crumbling state institutions, and regaining the trust of a population scarred by conflict and divided by allegiances. Persistent security threats—including sporadic sectarian violence in the Alawite coastal region and the Druze-majority Suwayda province, alongside ongoing Israeli airstrikes targeting alleged Iran-linked assets—continue to shake the nation’s fragile transition.

The process of reintegrating the semi-autonomous Kurdish administration, which controls large portions of northeast Syria, remains a critical test. A March agreement stipulated the integration of Kurdish institutions into the central government by year’s end, but implementation has stalled. In a statement on social media platform X on Sunday, Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the deal, describing it as the foundation for “building a democratic, decentralized Syria… strengthened by the values of freedom, justice and equality.”

International Community Urges Inclusive Recovery

The international response has been cautiously supportive, emphasizing the need for an inclusive and sustainable peace. In a statement marking the anniversary, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres framed the moment as a profound opportunity.

“What lies ahead is far more than a political transition; it is the chance to rebuild shattered communities and heal deep divisions,” Guterres said. “It is an opportunity to forge a nation where every Syrian—regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or political affiliation—can live securely, equally, and with dignity.”

He further urged the global community to bolster its political and financial support for Syria’s recovery, a process estimated to require hundreds of billions of dollars and decades to complete.

As Syrians reflect on a year of dramatic change, the mood on the streets of Damascus blends cautious hope with deep-seated anxiety. For many, the fall of the old regime was a moment of liberation, but the daunting task of building a stable, just, and unified Syria has only just begun.

With reporting from AFP.

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