One week has passed since President Bashar al-Assad’s unexpected downfall, and Syria is undergoing a dramatic shift. Major Hamza al-Ahmed, now in charge of security at Damascus International Airport, arrived with his team of rebel fighters. They met the airport staff, who, for the first time in years, felt free to express the grievances they had suppressed under Assad’s rule.
The workers voiced frustrations about being denied promotions and rewards, which instead went to Assad’s loyalists. They also shared how they had been threatened with imprisonment for minor mistakes. Some feared that pro-Assad workers would return when the airport reopens. “This is the first time we can talk,” said engineer Osama Najm.
This conversation marked the start of Syria’s transformation. People are experiencing a mix of emotions: hope for greater freedom, grief from years of repression, and concern about the future. Many are still adjusting to the overwhelming changes happening around them.
Navigating the challenges of a new regime
The transition has been remarkably peaceful so far. There have been only a few reports of sectarian violence, revenge killings, and reprisals. The rebels acted quickly to address looting and destruction, maintaining order across the city. By Saturday afternoon, the streets of Damascus seemed calm, with life continuing as normal.
However, many challenges lie ahead. After five decades under the Assad regime, Syria is deeply fractured. Years of war have left families torn apart and many former prisoners carry trauma from their treatment. The economy remains in ruins, inflation continues to soar, and unemployment remains high.
At the airport, Major al-Ahmed reassured the workers: “The path ahead will bring challenges, but Syria is for everyone. We all have to cooperate.” Syrians are more hopeful than they have been in years. “We will not remain silent if something goes wrong,” engineer Osama Najm insisted, calling for transparency.
Rebels taking charge: Establishing governance
Rebels have already started making their presence felt. One of the first signs of change came at a police station where they took down posters of Assad and destroyed government files. The former police officers and security personnel vanished, leaving the building in the hands of 10 officers from the rebels’ “Salvation Government.” These officers began addressing public complaints, including petty thefts and disputes.
However, enforcing order in the capital is difficult. The rebels only have around 4,000 police officers spread across Damascus and other areas, with many based in Idlib. Experts estimate that the rebel fighting force is about 20,000, but this still falls short for a city the size of Damascus.
Most of the rebel fighters come from conservative rural areas and carry hardline Islamist views. Some concerns have arisen regarding how they’ll manage the country’s religious and ethnic diversity. While Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the main rebel group, has distanced itself from its previous ties to al-Qaeda, some skepticism remains. “Some fighters feel superior because they’ve been fighting for so long,” said Hani Zia, a resident of Daraa. Though he acknowledges the fighters’ sacrifices, he fears for minorities and civilians.
Despite these concerns, Damascus residents have expressed less fear. Local businesses are slowly returning to normal, with some resuming the sale of alcohol, while others remain cautious, testing the mood of the city.
A fragile future for Post-Assad Syria
After Assad’s downfall, there were brief outbursts of violence as armed groups celebrated by firing weapons into the air and setting government buildings on fire. Rebels accused fleeing Assad supporters of fueling some of the chaos. To restore order, HTS imposed a curfew for three days, cracked down on celebratory gunfire, and dispatched fighters to protect properties.
As security settled, people began to visit the prisons, particularly Saydnaya, to search for loved ones who had been missing for years. Unfortunately, very few found any trace of the detainees. This search brought people together, as many shared a similar sense of pain and uncertainty.
During the street celebrations, insurgents invited children to climb on their armoured vehicles, and others posed for photos with women. Pro-revolutionary songs echoed through the streets, with flags and posters of fallen activists appearing on buildings throughout Damascus. Even state-run television quickly shifted to support the new, rebel-led transitional government.
The new administration urged Syrians to return to work and encouraged refugees to come back and help rebuild the country. They also promised to reform the security forces, ensuring that those who committed atrocities would not return.
While there have been some positive economic changes—like a drop in the prices of produce—there is still much to fix. Fuel distribution has been disrupted, increasing transportation costs and causing frequent power outages. The government is focused on restoring vital services and reopening the airport. Maintenance crews have started clearing debris and inspecting planes, though full operations will take time.
As one worker, Murad, shared, “I earn $15 a month and have six children to feed. One of them has a disability. It will take us a long time to clean everything up.”
