Syria after Assad's fall: hope for peace or new conflicts?

Syria after Assad's fall: hope for peace or new conflicts?

Amid the turmoil and change that has gripped Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, the situation presented is becoming increasingly precarious. For the first time in 14 years of civil war, a transitional government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa is in power. At an international conference in Paris, France and its partner countries discussed reconstruction and humanitarian aid for the stricken country, as [vienna.at] reported. Macron called for an immediate lifting of EU sanctions to facilitate reconstruction, which is estimated to cost $250 billion to $400 billion. Fighting between various factions, including Turkish-led forces and Kurdish militias, threatens stability beyond that. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned of the resurgence of the “Islamic State” and recommended an immediate ceasefire. The country's infrastructure is severely damaged and over 80 percent of the population is in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

The pressing challenges

Dissipating power in Syria remains a pressing challenge. After a decade of war, more than 500,000 people have been killed and millions displaced from their homes. Ahmed al-Sharaa has promised to reflect the diversity of Syrian society in the interim government, but without providing concrete details about the time frame for reforms, as [zdf.de] highlighted. The future of the country is uncertain, and questions such as coming to terms with the crimes committed under the Assad regime are coming into focus. Baerbock, the German foreign minister, stressed the need for judicial reform to heal society's wounds.

Despite the announcements, the country faces further difficulties. Confrontations between the Kurdish SDF and the new government prevent agreement on the future military system, and dependence on humanitarian aid remains high. The next steps will be crucial to the direction Syria takes after years of darkness. In this situation, the international community is called upon to find a diplomatic solution to defuse the ongoing conflicts and enable people to return to a stable and peaceful life.