Christians across Syria marked a historic Sunday with prayers and tears, celebrating the country’s transformation following the ouster of Bashar Assad. Many worshippers expressed hope for a brighter future, with one saying, “Today, our prayers are for a new page in Syria’s future.”
The ousting of Assad by a rebel alliance has sparked discussions on rebuilding the war-torn country. However, Syria faces economic challenges worsened by longstanding Western sanctions.
UN envoy Geir Pedersen urged an end to these sanctions, highlighting the need for swift international support to rebuild Syria.
Years of conflict have left parts of Syria’s major cities in ruins, with reconstruction efforts hampered by sanctions that restricted rebuilding in government-held areas. Pedersen emphasized the importance of a political process inclusive of all Syrians to guide the nation’s recovery.
The new transitional government has not yet outlined a clear plan for governance. (AP photo)
The new transitional government, led by the former opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has not yet outlined a clear plan for governance. The US is reportedly considering removing HTS’s terrorist designation, facilitating international engagement with the interim government.
An emergency meeting in Jordan over the weekend saw international leaders discussing Syria’s future governance. They called for minority and women’s rights to be protected, humanitarian aid to reach those in need, and remaining chemical weapons to be destroyed.
Sunday also marked the reopening of schools in Damascus, a step toward normalcy after the swift change in leadership. Teachers raised the revolutionary flag. Many Syrian Christians, who had either fled or supported Assad out of fear of Islamist insurgents, returned to churches for the first time in years.
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