Overview
- Tens of thousands rallied in Damascus and other cities for the first anniversary, as transitional president Ahmed al‑Scharaa promised a break with Assad‑era rule.
- Independent reporting cited roughly 1,479 Alawite victims in March reprisals, and the first trials of suspected perpetrators have begun.
- Analysts who visited Damascus say al‑Scharaa lacks full control over HTS factions, with militias persisting and a July Suweida massacre reported to involve Damascus security elements.
- Aid groups describe a country still in collapse, with over 60% needing assistance, about seven million internally displaced and vast destruction, even as more than a million returnees — many from Turkey — strain housing and services and Germany debates deportations.
- Partial easing of US and UN sanctions is expected to improve relief procurement, while al‑Scharaa pursues broader recognition through high‑profile outreach in Doha and prior US contacts.