Hama capture anniversary: Thousands mark takeover of Syrian city by rebels

Key Concepts

• Syrian Civil War Anniversary: Commemoration of the first anniversary of the rebel takeover of a Syrian city.
• Regime Change: The end of the "brutal decade-long Assad regime" and the establishment of a new government.
• Hammer Massacre (1982): A historical event where Bashar al-Assad's father allegedly killed up to 40,000 people in the city of Hammer.
• Economic Recovery: Challenges and progress in rebuilding Syria's economy, including sanctions, currency issues, and infrastructure development.
• Displaced Persons: The return of over 2 million displaced Syrians and the challenges they face.
• Legislative Reform: The need for new laws and regulations to facilitate reconstruction and improve daily life.
• Security Concerns: Ongoing threats from groups like ISIS and external military actions, and the government's strategy to address them.
• International Relations: The role of foreign powers in resolving internal conflicts and supporting economic development.

Summary

Celebrations in Hammer and Historical Significance

Thousands of people gathered in the city of Hammer to commemorate the first anniversary of its takeover by rebels. This event is described as a major turning point in the Syrian civil war, marking the end of the "brutal decade-long Assad regime." The rebels reportedly seized the capital, Damascus, on December 8th, after Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia.

The city of Hammer holds particular significance due to a massacre carried out by Bashar al-Assad's father in 1982. During this event, the city was besieged, bombed, and men and boys were reportedly taken away. Human rights organizations estimate that up to 40,000 people were killed. The legacy of this event, including fear, loss, and a yearning for freedom, has been passed down through generations. The current celebrations, with chanting, singing, dancing, and waving flags with slogans of freedom, unity, and hope, stand in stark contrast to the atmosphere of fear that prevailed just over 20 years ago, when people whispered and feared repercussions for speaking out.

Economic Challenges and Progress Under the New Government

Osama Khadi, Senior Advisor to the Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry, discussed the economic situation a year into the new government's mandate. He acknowledged that while Syrians hoped for rapid economic change, many challenges have been faced and overcome.

Key Economic Points:

• Sanctions and Caesar Law: Approximately 95% of sanctions and aspects of the Caesar Law, which hindered swift functioning with SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication), have been removed. The government awaits a congressional announcement for the total removal of the Caesar Law.
• Foreign Direct Investment: A primary challenge is attracting foreign direct investment.
• Currency and Liquidity: A cash liquidation problem is being addressed by printing new currency, expected to be in circulation within one to two months.
• Electricity Supply: A significant improvement has been made in electricity provision. Last year, the average person had only one to two hours of electricity per day, whereas currently, it is 14 to 20 hours per day.
• Public Sector Salaries: Salaries for public sector employees have been increased by 200%, with an additional 200% increase planned by the end of the year.
• Legislative Hurdles: A major challenge is the legislative framework, inherited from over 50 years of "bad laws and rules" that made life "miserable" and hindered reconstruction efforts. The new parliament, expected to convene in January, is tasked with addressing these issues by introducing new and flexible rules.

Reconstruction and the Return of Displaced Syrians

The return of over 2 million displaced Syrians presents further challenges. While the government has promised reconstruction investment, translating these commitments into tangible changes for returnees, such as job creation and improved services, remains a work in progress.

Challenges for Returnees:

• Housing Shortage: The current regulations have "crippled" officials, preventing swift action. The lack of adequate housing is a significant issue, with rental and purchase prices increasing "exponentially" due to high demand and low supply. The new parliament is expected to address this by enabling the supply of more housing units within the next 2-3 years.
• Cost of Living: While prices for regular food items have decreased since last year, the new electricity prices are considered high for ordinary citizens.
• Job Creation: The government is working to create more jobs to absorb unemployment, but the current pace is not sufficient to accommodate all returnees.

Security and Stability

Security remains a major concern, with targeted attacks on minority communities, Israeli military strikes, and the re-emergence of ISIS cells in the north. The government's strategy to guarantee security and stability involves a two-pronged approach:

• Economic Development: Drawing more companies to create jobs and promoting peaceful civil actions and campaigns.
• Diplomatic Engagement: Engaging with groups through their "buses" (likely referring to their political representatives or foreign backers). This includes discussions with the United States regarding operations in the northeast, with an agreement in place since March. The government also engages with countries that previously supported Syrian regime allies, such as Russia, to resolve issues.

The government emphasizes the need for "zero conflict with everybody" and seeks guarantees from countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United States, and Qatar to focus on economic development.

Conclusion

The first anniversary of the rebel takeover in Syria is marked by widespread celebrations, particularly in Hammer, a city with a painful past. While significant progress has been made in overcoming economic sanctions and improving essential services like electricity, the nation faces substantial challenges in rebuilding its economy, addressing legislative hurdles, and ensuring the security and well-being of its citizens, especially the returning displaced population. The new government is actively working on these fronts, with a focus on attracting investment, creating jobs, and fostering stability through both economic development and diplomatic engagement.