President Ahmed al-Sharaa today urged Syrians to work together to rebuild their country, marking the first anniversary of the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Last November, the Islamist alliance led by Sharaa—a former Al-Qaeda leader with the nom de guerre Jolani—launched a lightning offensive, capturing the capital Damascus on December 8 after nearly 14 years of war and ending more than fifty years of ironclad rule by the Assad family.
After dawn prayers at Damascus's famed Umayyad Mosque, Sharaa "praised the sacrifices and heroism of the fighters" who entered Damascus, a presidential statement said.
"The current phase requires the unification of all citizens' efforts to build a strong Syria, consolidate its stability, safeguard its sovereignty, and create a future worthy of the sacrifices of its people," Sharaa said, wearing the military uniform he wore when he entered the capital a year ago.
Since late November, Syrians have been celebrating the first anniversary of the offensive, culminating today with events in Damascus, including a military parade and a scheduled speech by Sharaa. The Syrian president, who has broken with his jihadist past, has successfully restored Syria's international reputation and secured the lifting of sanctions.
But he faces major challenges in ensuring security, rebuilding crumbling institutions, regaining Syrians' trust, and keeping his country united. Sectarian bloodshed in the strongholds of the country's Alawite and Druze minorities, coupled with ongoing Israeli military operations, have shaken the country's fragile transition. On Saturday, a prominent Alawite spiritual leader in Syria urged members of his religious minority, which includes the Assad family, to boycott the celebrations in protest against the new "oppressive" authorities.
On the same day, the Kurdish administration controlling large swathes of northeastern Syria announced a ban on public gatherings and events for Sunday and Monday, citing security concerns. Under a March agreement, the Kurdish administration was supposed to integrate its institutions into the central government by the end of the year, but progress has stalled.
