Since taking power in December, the new Syrian administration has prioritized internal security issues and breaking international isolation in the first two months after Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, collapsing the Baath party regime's 61-year rule.
Syria's new government initially focused on measures to ensure the safety of citizens and protect public property.
Various prison sentences were introduced for those who possessed state-owned weapons but failed to surrender them to the relevant authorities, for those who fired indiscriminately, and for those who stole state property, motor vehicles, or machinery.
The new Syrian government, focusing on operations against drug manufacturing—a major revenue source for the fallen regime—conducted numerous raids in the capital of Damascus, as well as Latakia, Homs, and Aleppo provinces.
During these raids, drugs and equipment used in their production were seized and destroyed.
Thousands of former regime soldiers, police officers, and military and security officials surrendered their weapons at the new government's identity verification and reconciliation centers.
Armed groups agree to merge under Defense Ministry
The armed groups that overthrew the Baath regime agreed to disband all factions and integrate them under the supervision of the Defense Ministry.
The Syrian government intensified its operations against the fallen regime's forces, including several war criminals who had refused to surrender their weapons.
Several elements of the fallen regime were neutralized in provinces such as Damascus, Homs, Latakia, Tartus, Aleppo, and Hama.
Syrian intelligence reorganized
The country’s General Intelligence Directorate chief, Anas Hattab, said the security institutions of the fallen regime had tormented the public for over 50 years and announced that the institution would be reorganized to its original purpose.
After the fall of Assad's regime on Dec. 8, the uncertainty that followed led to the reopening of universities, and education and teaching resumed.
Syria’s military operations administration advanced south of Raqqa, taking control of two oil fields occupied by the PKK/YPG terror group.
Damascus International Airport became operational again, and the first commercial flight in Syria since the toppling of the longtime Assad regime took off from Damascus Airport to Aleppo.
Turkish foreign minister meets with Syrian administration leader
Following the overthrow of the Baath regime, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Damascus, marking the first official ministerial visit.
Fidan held a joint press conference with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Foreign ministers and prime ministers from several countries visited Syria and made their first official contact with the Syrian president.
Western countries, which had imposed sanctions on Syria during Assad's rule, promised to gradually lift the sanctions if the Damascus government adopted an inclusive, transparent model that respects fundamental rights and freedoms.
The US and European countries took steps to ease some of the sanctions.
Outlines of transition period
In the first stage, a temporary government was established in the country, and appointments were made for numerous ministries.
Several people with prior civil administration experience were appointed in Idlib.
Al-Sharaa, the leader of the new government in Syria, was declared the president of the transition period.
The 2012 constitution was abolished, and the military, security forces, and parliament affiliated with the fallen regime were dissolved, and the Syrian government declared Dec. 8 a national holiday.
Al-Sharaa pledged to create an inclusive transitional government reflecting Syria's diversity and promised to build a Syria where all Syrians, inside and outside the country, could freely and honorably shape their futures without exclusion or marginalization.
He announced that, given that half of the Syrians live outside the country and there are many unregistered births and deaths, the country's elections would be held within a four- to five-year timeframe.
Al-Sharaa's 1st official visit to Saudi Arabia, Türkiye
After visiting Saudi Arabia, Al-Sharaa traveled to Türkiye for his first official meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Al-Sharaa said the Syrian people would never forget the historical stance of the Turkish state and its people, expressing his desire to transform relations with Türkiye into a deep strategic partnership.
Priorities of new Syrian administration
Al-Sharaa and other officials reiterated that the new administration's priorities are stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Syrian officials called for the PKK/YPG terrorist group to disband before the National Dialogue Conference, but the group has yet to accept it.
Israeli advances its occupation in Syria
During the days following the collapse of the Baath regime, the Israeli military destroyed the makeshift military infrastructure left behind by the regime in Syria through intense airstrikes.
Advancing its occupation of the Golan Heights, the Israeli army entered the buffer zone and pushed further, advancing to within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of Damascus.
While the Syrian government refrained from military conflict with Israeli forces, it called on the international community to take action to stop Israel.
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.