Syrians celebrate one year without Assad, but growing pains remainーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Assad Regime Collapse
• Interim Government
• Ahmed al-Sharah
• Nation Building
• International Sanctions
• Civil War Scars
• Economic Recovery
• Internal Divisions
• Minority Targeting
• International Standing

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One-Year Anniversary of the Assad Regime Collapse and Syria's Path Forward

The summary marks the one-year anniversary of the collapse of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's autocratic regime, which had maintained authoritarian rule for over half a century. The nation is now under the leadership of interim President Ahmed al-Sharah, a former anti-government force leader, who is spearheading nation-building efforts and working to restore Syria's international standing.

International Re-engagement and Diplomatic Efforts

Interim President Ahmed al-Sharah has made significant strides in re-engaging Syria with the international community.

• UN General Assembly Speech: In September, Sharah delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly, marking the first time a Syrian president had done so in approximately 60 years.
• High-Level Meetings: Over the past year, he has met with prominent world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a push for diplomatic normalization and support.

Lingering Divisions and Human Rights Concerns

Despite the change in leadership, Syria continues to grapple with profound internal divisions and unresolved human rights issues stemming from the Assad era and over a decade of civil war.

• Missing Persons: A human rights group reports that more than 110,000 people detained by the Assad regime are still missing, highlighting the deep scars and unresolved injustices.
• Internal Strife: The civil war has left deep divisions among the Syrian people, making national unity a significant challenge.

Strained Regional Relationships

Syria's relationships with its neighbors remain strained, contributing to regional instability.

• Israel: Israel maintains military forces stationed in a buffer zone along its border with Syria.
• Turkey: Turkey exercises de facto control over a portion of northern Syria, indicating ongoing territorial and political complexities.

Domestic Celebrations and Emerging Freedoms

Inside Syria, particularly in Damascus, the one-year anniversary has been met with widespread celebration and a sense of newfound freedom.

• Public Mood: NHK World's Kajjima May reported from Damascus that the entire town was in a "happy mood," with people waving the new Syrian flag.
• Extended Holiday: The country observed a four-day holiday from Friday to Monday, with celebrations continuing into the nights.
• Economic Improvements: Citizens are experiencing tangible benefits, such as the availability of imported goods like bananas and canned foods at markets, items that were scarce for many years due to international sanctions.
• Symbolic Freedoms: People who had lived under rebel control or fled the country during the civil war were able to visit a famous ice cream shop in Damascus for the first time in over a decade, symbolizing a return to normalcy and freedom of movement.
• Shift in Political Symbolism: A notable observation was the absence of portraits of former President Bashar al-Assad, which were ubiquitous 15 years prior. Furthermore, there are few portraits of interim President Ahmed al-Sharah, suggesting the interim government is "being careful about coming across as Italian" (implying a cautious approach to avoid appearing authoritarian or fostering a cult of personality).

Major Challenges to Nation Building

Despite the celebratory mood and diplomatic efforts, Syria faces significant "growing pains" and challenges in its recovery.

• Economic Recovery: This is a primary concern. The country still requires substantial aid and support from abroad.
• International Sanctions: Sanctions imposed by the international community have not been completely lifted, hindering economic activity, making it difficult to send money overseas, and impeding investment, thus slowing the recovery process.
• Internal Divisions and Minority Targeting: Deep internal divisions persist. A Christian resident in Damascus expressed fears of leaving the country due to reports of minorities being repeatedly targeted. Another Syrian minority individual met in Germany stated they could not return under current circumstances.
• Healing from Civil War: The "scars from over a decade of civil war are deep," and people emphasize the need for time to heal. Many children have never known life without conflict.
• Call for Unity: Just before the anniversary, President Sharah once again urged Syrians to set aside their differences, underscoring the ongoing struggle for national cohesion.

Conclusion: The Role of the International Community

While Syria is experiencing a more stable domestic environment, the international community still has a crucial role to play in helping the nation recover and get "back on its feet." The path to full recovery is slow and complex, requiring sustained international support to address economic challenges, heal internal divisions, and ensure lasting peace.