Syria marks one year post-Assad: Stability remains elusive

WISE NEWS PRESS / DAMASCUS, SYRIA — DEC. 08, 2025

One year after the collapse of the Assad regime, violence across Syria has subsided, yet the nation confronts a "fragmented security landscape" and a long, difficult path toward genuine stability.

Dec. 8 marks the first anniversary of the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, ending more than half a century of rule by the Assad family. While the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led offensive toppled the regime with low resistance in 2024, the interim government led by Ahmed Shara now faces the monumental task of rebuilding a fractured state.

A Fragmented Security Landscape

According to the UN Security Council, the country is dealing with a complex security situation despite the cessation of Russian air strikes and barrel bombings. While the capital, Damascus, remains relatively calm, violence has decreased but not disappeared.

Reports submitted to the UN indicate ongoing clashes between new government forces and Kurdish or Druze groups in various regions. The EU Asylum Agency (EUAA) recently reported that the new administration has not secured control over the entire territory, citing instances of lawlessness and revenge violence. Additionally, remnants of ISIS and pro-Assad elements are attempting to exploit security gaps.

Political Transition and Diplomacy

Syria held partial parliamentary elections this year, and Ahmed Shara will continue as interim president until a new constitution is finalized. Patricia Karam of the Arab Center Washington noted that while it may be early for full democracy, the new institutions represent a "modest return to electoral politics," though the country risks sliding back into authoritarianism.

On the diplomatic front, embassies are reopening, and Shara has pursued a pragmatic foreign policy. He addressed the UN General Assembly in September and became the first Syrian leader to visit the White House since 1946. However, continued Israeli military operations against Syrian territory remain a major source of tension, which the UN warns could threaten the political transition.

Infrastructure and Economic Ruin

Approximately 2.9 million Syrians have returned to their homes, including 1 million from abroad, only to find devastating conditions. The International Rescue Committee reports that more than half of the water infrastructure and four-fifths of the electricity grids are destroyed or non-functional.

Estimates suggest Syria needs between $250 billion and $400 billion for reconstruction. While the World Bank predicts 1 percent economic growth for 2025 and Gulf nations have signed investment deals, the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy states that these macro-level improvements are not yet felt in the daily lives of citizens, a quarter of whom live in extreme poverty.

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