- Syrian president says Damascus has regained its role as ‘jewel of the East’ after decades of oppression
ISTANBUL
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Monday that his government is taking concrete steps to build “a new Syria” and is committed to transitional justice to ensure accountability for crimes committed against Syrians.
Addressing a gathering at the Conference Palace in the capital, Damascus, on the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad’s fall, Sharaa said that from the “first moment of liberation,” he toured the country’s provinces to listen to people’s concerns and demands.
He said those consultations shaped a clear vision for Syria’s future.
“We aspire for a strong state rooted in its proud history, looking toward a promising future, and reclaiming its natural place in its Arab, regional and international surroundings.”
Sharaa said the government is now taking its “first steps” on the path of rebuilding “new Syria” and emphasized that transitional justice is essential to ensuring lasting stability.
“We affirm our commitment to the principle of transitional justice to hold accountable everyone who violated the law and committed crimes against the Syrian people, while preserving victims’ rights and achieving justice,” he said.
He added that the Syrian people’s right to truth, accountability and reconciliation is “the foundation for the stability of the state and a guarantee that violations will not be repeated.”
This process, he said, is the cornerstone for restoring trust between citizens and the state.
New phase
Sharaa said Damascus has regained its role as the “jewel of the East” after “decades of oppression.”
“They (the Assad regime and allies) tried to strip Syria of its identity, its civilization and its deep historical roots,” he said.
The Syrian leader accused the former regime of sowing division and fear among Syrians.
“The previous regime planted discord and division among our people and built walls of fear and terror between the state and society, turning citizenship into a contract of loyalty and servitude,” he said.
He described the Assad era as “a black page” in Syrian history.
“It was a period when the despot prevailed for a time, before collapsing and allowing the light of truth to shine again,” he said.
The president said the ousted regime “built a structure based on lawlessness and corruption, deepened poverty, and deprived people of their rights – until words became a crime, creativity a stigma, and love of the homeland an accusation of treason.”
He announced a “historic break” with that legacy and the start of a new phase.
“The liberation battle has ended, and a new battle begins – the battle of work, effort, and aligning words with deeds,” he said.
Partnerships
Sharaa said his government has worked to present this new vision internationally, hosting delegations and traveling abroad.
“Syrian diplomacy has contributed to a fundamental change in the country’s image, making it a trusted partner for regional and international states,” he said.
He added that Syria has formed strategic partnerships in “vital sectors,” helping strengthen economic recovery.
On security reform, Sharaa said the armed forces have been unified.
“We have integrated the military forces into a unified national army based on professionalism and loyalty to the homeland,” he said.
He also addressed the issue of missing Syrians who disappeared or were killed under the former regime, calling it a priority with no room for compromise.
“They and their families represent a humanitarian cause of the highest importance, and we are committed to seeking the truth without pause,” he said.
Sharaa concluded by honoring those who participated in the uprising against the Assad regime.
“To those who paved the way with their blood, their suffering, their wounds and their struggle – the fighters, the prisoners, the martyrs, the wounded, the revolutionaries, and their families – all respect and peace.”
Early Monday, mosques across Syria held “victory chants” marking the first anniversary of Assad’s fall, following a call by the Ministry of Religious Endowments.
Cities and provinces, including Damascus, its countryside, Daraa, Hama, Aleppo, Idlib, and Latakia, saw military parades with large public participation.
For days, Syrians across the country have been marking their liberation from Assad’s rule through commemorations of the “Deterrence of Aggression” battle, which began Nov. 27, 2024 in Aleppo before opposition forces reached Damascus 11 days later.
Many Syrians view Assad’s overthrow on Dec. 8, 2024, as the end of a long era of brutal repression marked by widespread violations against civilians, especially over 14 years of uprising.
