Overview
- Thousands filled central Damascus for dawn prayers and a military parade, where Ahmed al‑Sharaa called for Syrians to work together to rebuild and ensure security.
- Sharaa said the transitional period will run four more years to establish institutions and a new constitution for a subsequent national vote and elections.
- The Kurdish-led administration in the northeast congratulated Syrians but banned public gatherings on security grounds, as the SDF urged inclusive dialogue and a new social contract.
- A prominent Alawite cleric, Ghazal Ghazal, urged a boycott of the celebrations, highlighting persistent mistrust after bouts of sectarian violence in Alawite and Druze areas this year.
- Western sanctions have largely been lifted and Syria has re-engaged internationally, yet UN agencies warn of acute needs in 2025 and report roughly 1.2 million refugee returns alongside continuing displacement.