Al-Sharaa: Post-Assad Syria faced 'great challenges' unifying factions, securing territory

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa offered a comprehensive account Monday of the "great challenges" his administration faced following the entry of forces into Damascus on Dec. 8, 2024, during an open dialogue session at the Conference on the Unity of Islamic Discourse in Damascus. Video of his remarks was posted by Syrian al-Ikhbariya TV.

Priority: Unifying Factions, Controlling Weapons

Al-Sharaa stated the immediate priority was "controlling the revolutionary street, particularly the revolutionary factions, and uniting them under one word," moving decisively toward controlling weapons and building a unified national army "away from factional language." He acknowledged these efforts encountered obstacles due to internal disputes, as well as divisions and ideological differences developed over 14 years of conflict.

Preserving Unity, Reintegrating Refugees

The president emphasized confronting calls for partition and working to preserve "the unity of Syria and the unity of Syrian territory." He outlined efforts to enable state access to its resources and create conditions for refugee return, particularly to northeastern Syria. "The service sector has been destroyed, the economy has been destroyed, the energy sector has been destroyed," al-Sharaa stated, noting price rises and currency weakness.

Institutional Balance

Al-Sharaa stressed that no single institution can rebuild the state alone: "The Ministry of Defense alone cannot build the state, and the Ministry of Interior cannot build the state, and the minbar alone cannot build the state. Each institution has its function." His remarks follow the Jan. 18 comprehensive ceasefire and integration agreement with the SDF, enabling Syrian forces to enter Hasakah, Qamishli, Kobani, and strategic facilities including airports, oil fields, and border crossings.