Syrians have taken to the streets to rejoice the primary anniversary of the elimination of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad amid renewed optimism that circumstances will proceed to enhance because the nation recovers from the consequences of practically 14 years of battle.
Fireworks rang out, and flags dotted cities throughout the nation on Monday, marking one year for the reason that al-Assad dynasty fell after a lightning 11-day offensive by opposition forces ended its 53-year rule.
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President Ahmed al-Sharaa, talking at a press convention in Damascus, paid tribute to those that fought to overthrow the previous regime.
“To those that are actually current right here within the coronary heart of historical past, you’re shaping a narrative of intrepidness and bravado,” he stated.
“Right now we mark one 12 months of liberating Syria from the shackles of tyranny and dictatorship, restoring the nation as soon as once more to greatness. Stand together with your heads held excessive. We had misplaced our homeland for greater than 5 a long time, throughout which this gang tried to fleece it of its civilisation, historical past and traditions.”
Earlier, wearing army uniform, al-Sharaa carried out the daybreak prayer on the Umayyad Mosque to commemorate the anniversary. “Nobody will stand in our means, regardless of how large or highly effective they’re,” he stated.
“We’ll face all challenges, God prepared. From its north to its south, from its east to its west, we are going to rebuild a powerful Syria worthy of its current and its previous, a Syria that helps the oppressed and establishes justice among the many folks.”
Navy parades organised by the Ministry of Defence occurred in Damascus and throughout a number of provinces, together with in Hama, Homs and Deir Az Zor.
‘Solely part of the dream got here true’
Over the past 12 months, the brand new authorities has taken steps to supply primary companies to residents.
A presidential decree in June raised civil servants’ minimal month-to-month salaries.
Restore and upkeep work started on the nation’s energy grid, with foremost cities, together with Aleppo, Homs and Damascus, receiving uninterrupted electrical energy on a trial foundation for the primary time in 15 years.
Prisons that left dark marks on the Syrian public, together with Sednaya, the Mezzeh army jail, and Khatib, have been additionally completely closed.
However whereas the mood in the nation is joyous, with folks celebrating on the streets, chanting, singing and waving flags, “there’s quite a lot of work to be achieved”, stated Al Jazeera’s Assed Baig, reporting from Aleppo.
The town, which was break up till 2016 between opposition fighters and pro-Assad forces, took a “actual battering” that can “price billions of {dollars} to rebuild and restore”, he stated.
“That’s why the federal government is trying to worldwide companions for funding, to assist with the rebuilding of this nation, particularly Aleppo, as a result of the preventing right here was so fierce,” stated Baig.
In the meantime, thousands and thousands of refugees and members of the diaspora are weighing the choice to return residence and rebuild their lives after the autumn of al-Assad, who fled to Russia a 12 months in the past.
The battle began as a largely unarmed rebellion in opposition to al-Assad in March 2011, however shortly morphed right into a full-blown battle that killed lots of of hundreds of individuals. It additionally led to one of many world’s largest migration crises, with some 6.8 million Syrians, a couple of third of the inhabitants, fleeing the nation on the battle’s peak in 2021, looking for refuge wherever they might discover it.
Greater than 782,000 Syrians have returned to Syria from different international locations over the previous 12 months, in keeping with the Worldwide Group for Migration (IOM).
Regardless of the rise in returns, restricted job alternatives and excessive dwelling prices proceed to undermine long-term resettling. Housing stays unaffordable for a lot of, leaving returnees in broken properties or costly rental models.
Younger folks in Syria are significantly hopeful about change, however the want for extra jobs and for the economic system to revive is pressing.
“Solely part of the dream got here true,” scholar Maha Khalil informed Al Jazeera.
“We’ve got victory, however we misplaced years, properties, youngsters. The actual story begins now. We hope we are going to rebuild, however the youth are pondering of going overseas. And people who are overseas are afraid of coming again.”
Focus inward
Syria obtained worldwide assist on its anniversary, with United Nations chief Antonio Guterres reaffirming the organisation’s dedication to make sure the success of Syria’s political transition.
“On this anniversary, we stand united in function – to construct a basis of peace and prosperity and renew our pledge to a free, sovereign, united and inclusive Syria,” he stated.
Heiko Wimmen, Worldwide Disaster Group’s challenge director for Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, informed Al Jazeera that whereas the worldwide legitimisation of al-Sharaa has “been a spectacular success”, his authorities should now shift its gaze inwards.
The federal government ought to primarily concentrate on rebuilding the economic system after the lifting of international sanctions, “which takes time, as a result of capital and investments are cautious, as they need to be”, Wimmen stated.
It must also “revive political life”, he added.
For years, Syria’s leaders have been programmed to “monopolise energy”, an strategy that can now not work as they try to incorporate all residents within the political combine.
“All people in Syria must be satisfied that, within the nation that’s being constructed, they’ll have a say in the way it’s being constructed – and a spot,” Wimmen stated.
