United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime marked the end of “long decades of oppression” for the Syrian people, calling for strong and sustained international support to ensure the success of Syria’s fragile political transition.

In a statement marking the first anniversary of the Assad government’s fall, Guterres praised the resilience of Syrians, saying they “never abandoned hope despite immense suffering.”

“Today marks one year since the end of the Assad government. The Syrian people, despite all the pain they endured, remained steadfast. I commend their courage,” he said.

Guterres described the ongoing transition as a “historic opportunity” to rebuild Syria on the foundations of justice, equality, and dignity for all citizens, regardless of political or social background. He stressed that progress over the past year has demonstrated that “real change is possible when Syrians are empowered to lead their own process.”

The UN chief highlighted the importance of strengthening justice mechanisms, expanding civic participation, and establishing inclusive and accountable state institutions as key pillars for Syria’s long-term stability. He also underlined that the transition must remain Syrian-led and Syrian-owned, warning against external interference that could undermine fragile gains.

According to United Nations figures, the past year has shown cautious but tangible improvements, including the return of more than one million refugees and the resettlement of millions of internally displaced persons back to their communities. The UN also reported limited but notable progress in restoring local governance structures and expanding humanitarian access in previously hard-to-reach areas.

The Assad regime formally collapsed on 8 December 2024, when Syrian opposition forces entered Damascus, ending more than five decades of Assad family rule after Bashar al-Assad, who took power in 2000, was ousted.

Guterres concluded by urging the international community to intensify political, financial, and humanitarian support for Syria, warning that the success of the transition depends on global solidarity with the Syrian people during this critical period of reconstruction and reconciliation. (ILKHA)