One year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Syria is seeking stability and unity | World

Official celebrations are planned in Umayyad Square in central Damascus, already followed by festive events in the days leading up to December 8 and in other regions of the country.

Assad fled to Russia a year ago when rebel forces led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, now Syria’s president, took control of Damascus, ending his rule more than 13 years after the start of the conflict, sparked by a popular uprising.

Celebrations have been taking place for several days in certain regions. On Friday (5), thousands of people filled the streets of Hama, waving the new Syrian flag to celebrate the capture of the city by insurgents led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, from Sharaa, in the rapid offensive towards the capital.

Syrians across the country are encouraged to come together to demonstrate national unity.

In the northeast, the Kurdish administration sent congratulations on the date but banned public events for security reasons, citing increased activity by “terrorist cells” which it said could exploit the occasion.

In a speech in late November marking the first anniversary of the rebels’ victorious campaign, Sharaa – a former al-Qaeda commander – called on people to occupy the squares as a sign of joy and national unity.

Since coming to power, Sharaa has fostered sweeping changes, redefining Syrian foreign policy by strengthening ties with the United States and winning support from Gulf Arab countries, while distancing himself from Assad’s former allies Iran and Russia. Most Western sanctions that crippled the economy have been lifted.

He promised to replace the repressive police state apparatus inherited from Assad with a more inclusive and just order.

Despite this, outbreaks of sectarian violence have left hundreds dead, caused further displacement and fueled minority distrust of Sharaa’s government, which is still seeking to reestablish Damascus’ authority throughout Syrian territory.

Meanwhile, the Kurdish administration is trying to preserve its regional autonomy and, in the south, some Druze groups – followers of a minority sect of Islam – are demanding independence.

At a forum in Qatar this weekend, Sharaa said “Syria is experiencing its best times”, despite episodes of violence, and promised to hold those responsible to account. He also said his transitional government would remain in place for another four years, during which time it intends to establish new institutions, laws and a constitution that will be put to a referendum before elections are held.

The Assad family, belonging to the Alawite minority, ruled Syria for 54 years. The war that began in 2011 has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions, pushing an estimated 5 million Syrians to seek refuge in neighboring countries.

Last week, at the Reuters Next conference, the central bank president said the return of around 1.5 million refugees had helped revive the economy.