Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Tuesday, Jul 01, 2025

Syria's Quest for Stability: Ahmad al-Shara's Leadership and the Path Forward

The difficulties confronting Syria's new leadership under Ahmad al-Shara as it attempts to reconstruct a divided nation and gain legitimacy both at home and abroad.
Syria stands at a pivotal point following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime after more than five decades under Ba'athist rule and the emergence of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

The collapse of Assad’s government and the resulting power vacuum have left the nation profoundly divided, not just along sectarian lines but also due to the devastation from over ten years of civil war.

The nation faces formidable obstacles in rebuilding its infrastructure, mending social and political rifts, and reestablishing a unified national identity.

Now spearheaded by Ahmad al-Shara, HTS has become central to Syria’s efforts to move towards stability, yet its ascendancy is fraught with challenges, both domestically and from the international community.

Ongoing sectarian tensions, especially between the ruling Alawite minority and the Sunni majority, pose a significant challenge.

HTS’s Sunni-based foundation adds further complexity, as the group attempts to bridge these divides and earn the trust of a population weary from conflict.

With Assad's once-loyal military now in disarray, there is a vision for a professional, volunteer army, though it is uncertain how HTS will accomplish this without first addressing the disarmament of other armed factions.

Another pressing issue is the influence of foreign powers, particularly Turkey, which has supported various factions in northern Syria, maintaining its regional influence at the expense of Syria’s sovereignty.

Balancing external alliances with internal reconciliation remains a delicate matter for Syria’s new leadership.

Inside the country, initial statements from HTS about military restructuring and transitional justice indicate intentions for reform but are overshadowed by reports of retribution, including torture and summary executions, raising concerns about accountability.

Such actions risk undermining the legitimacy HTS aims to establish.

On the international front, HTS has been striving to present itself as a legitimate political entity, engaging with Arab and foreign delegations to secure a presence on the global stage.

However, this swift outreach risks legitimizing a group still closely linked to its militant origins without sufficient assurances of governance reforms or inclusivity.

For Syria to attain stability, HTS must demonstrate it can transition from a militant entity to a governing body committed to inclusive politics and human rights.

As the country progresses toward rebuilding, the leadership of Ahmad al-Shara will face tests not only from reconstruction challenges but also from the persistent threat of further fragmentation and external interference.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
×