As Syria marks the first anniversary of the regime’s fall, the country stands at a crossroads between recovery and the shadows of its turbulent past. Under new governance, citizens celebrate newfound expressions of agency while grappling with the ongoing challenges of reconstruction and healing. This complex scene encapsulates a mix of optimism for the future and the undeniable struggle to address the remnants of a long-standing conflict.
On the morning of December 5, 2025, a taxi drove me across the Lebanon-Syria border—a trip marked by stark contrasts to my first crossing on December 9, 2024, a little over a day after Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow. During that initial journey, the highway to Damascus was littered with abandoned military vehicles and uniforms, symbols of the regime’s rapid disintegration.
Fast forward a year, and the remnants of that past are largely erased. Defaced portraits of Bashar and his father Hafez, who ruled the country from 1971 until last year, have disappeared, alongside a sign that once proclaimed “Assad’s Syria welcomes you.” Upon returning to Damascus to cover the first anniversary of the regime’s fall, I witnessed a gathering of people in Umayyad Square, celebrating the shift in their nation’s trajectory.
Unlike the chaos of the previous year, this time, the crowd was organized by new security forces vehicles marked with the emblem of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government. The heavy weight of decades of oppression has been lifted from the shoulders of the Syrian populace, providing a sense of liberation that many described as a long-awaited breath of fresh air.
In previous years, Syrians, including those in the diaspora, commonly shied away from revealing their identities or sharing their thoughts due to fears of repercussions. However, the fall of al-Assad has allowed many to express the suppressed emotions that had long been buried. Despite this newfound openness, there is still a prevalent sense of caution, as portrayed by a student named Moataz, who eagerly commended the current government yet requested anonymity for his family’s safety.
The path to recovery remains riddled with challenges. Business owners I spoke with in the al-Salhiye and al-Hamadiyeh souqs, while relieved from past fears of raids, still grapple with a fragile economy. Hopes are vested in the lifting of sanctions and the repeal of the Caesar Act to stimulate commercial growth; however, many still depend on remittances for their daily survival.
Another pressing issue is that of the tens of thousands still unaccounted for amid years of civil unrest. In the heart of Damascus, portraits of the disappeared, previously displayed in Marjeh Square, were taken down, casting a shadow over the optimism prevailing throughout the city. Activists remain vocal about the need for accountability for those who fell victim to the Assad regime’s ruthless prison and torture network.
While discussions surrounding rebuilding continue, the World Bank estimates that reconstruction in Syria would require around 6 billion. Visible change is slow; some streets are being repaved, yet infrastructure continues to lag behind. Many locals expressed hope that the new government could usher in a positive era, yet the memories of hardship will likely impede swift development.
Despite the gloomy economic landscape, there is a growing sentiment of hope—around three million Syrian expatriates have reportedly returned to their homeland in recent months. Amidst lively conversations in cafes such as those near Bab Sharqi, returning citizens are eager to participate in the nation’s renewal. They are also motivated by the chance to contribute to a more progressive future.
The atmosphere in Damascus reflects a blend of caution and optimism, underscored by a fresh resolve to dismantle a culture of impunity. As people navigate their new lives, there remains a deep awareness of past atrocities, urging the call for funding to come through as they work collectively towards justice and accountability.
In Syria’s unfolding narrative, the journey towards healing and rebuilding is ongoing. A year after al-Assad’s regime fell, citizens continue to seek fundamental rights and a society free from fear—a journey that will require the strength and resilience they have long possessed.
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