Between an incomplete victory and a peace yet to be born, Syria is living in post-war chaos:
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024 and the rise of the Syrian opposition to power, the country entered a transitional phase marked by tension and uncertainty. Although the first four months following the victory were relatively calm, giving Syrians a glimmer of hope for a return to stability, this calm did not last long.
Over time, multiple forces emerged seeking to impose their influence, including groups linked to the former regime, armed organizations with extremist leanings, and local forces driven by economic or social motives. These parties resorted to various methods to impose their presence, ranging from limited military attacks to bombings, in addition to acts of revenge against the Syrian people, who have been severely affected intellectually, psychologically, and socially by years of conflict.
The new government finds itself facing intertwined challenges: imposing security control, maintaining political legitimacy, and working to establish institutions capable of bringing Syrians together after years of division.
In addition to the security and political dimensions, these events had a clear humanitarian impact. Many families who were preparing to return to normal life found themselves once again facing an anxious reality. Fear of the future and the search for safety became a daily concern for Syrians who had hoped for a new beginning.
This phase demonstrates that ending the war alone is not sufficient to achieve stability. Building trust between the state and society, and addressing the divisions left by years of conflict, constitute the foundation of any path toward genuine peace. Between waiting for political solutions and facing the challenges of reality, the Syrian citizen remains the party most affected by the ongoing fluctuations.
My journalistic project documents pivotal moments during the sectarian chaos that swept the country and altered the course of security between March and July. These events included the violence on the Syrian coast following an attack by remnants of the Assad regime, the suicide bombing that targeted a church in Damascus, and the fighting between Bedouin and Druze tribes in southern Syria, which led to an Israeli bombing of Damascus. The psychological impact of these events on Syrians, after the hope of a stable and prosperous country began to fade, after long years of war that caused psychological crises for the Syrians.
Rocket attack on headquarters of remnants of the Syrian regime.
Syrian army forces are targeting hideouts of groups affiliated with the remnants of Bashar al-Assad s regime in villages on the Syrian coast following ambushes carried out by these groups against civilians and soldiers on the international road leading to Latakia on the night of March 6
Preparing a missile.
Syrian army personnel prepare a missile to bomb hideouts belonging to groups affiliated with the remnants of Bashar al-Assad s regime in villages on the Syrian coast This follows ambushes carried out by these groups against civilians and soldiers on the international road leading to Latakia on the night of March 6
Fighters Arrive
Thousands of Syrian army and security fighters as well as Syrian civilians have flocked to the road between Latakia and Tartus to repel an attack by remnants of groups loyal to Bashar al-Assad s regime against the Syrian state in an attempt to seize control of the Syrian coast
Syrian army fighters stand near their tank.
Syrian army fighters stand near their tank after taking control of the city of Latakia in western Syria and heading to the road between Latakia and Tartus to continue repelling the attack launched by remnants of groups loyal to the Bashar al-Assad regime against the Syrian government in an attempt to seize control of the Syrian coast
Funeral of a Syrian Army Member
The people of Hama mourned the body of a Syrian Army member who was killed during clashes between the Syrian government and remnants of Bashar al-Assad s regime in the western city of Latakia The clashes occurred as remnants of the former Syrian regime attempted to launch an offensive to seize control of the Syrian coast
Syrian government forces search vehicles.
Syrian government forces search vehicles at a checkpoint at the entrance to the city of Latakia after the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced the end of military operations and the control of the Syrian coast after repelling an attack by remnants of Bashar al-Assad s regime
A doctor points to the location of the shooting.
A Syrian doctor points to the locations where bullets entered Jableh Hospital in the Latakia countryside after it was besieged for several hours with gunfire and grenades being fired into the hospital by groups affiliated with the remnants of the Syrian regime while carrying out an attack on the new Syrian government
A man walks past a car burned out by the clash.
A man walks past a burnt-out car in the city of Jableh in the Latakia countryside after violent clashes inside the city that led to the destruction and burning of many civilian properties
Syrian Christians gather to perform a mass for the souls of the victims.
Syrian Christians gather for a prayer service attended by all patriarchs at St Elias Church in Damascus a day after a suicide bombing there killed dozens of worshippers and injured dozens more
A Syrian woman waits for her husband, who was injured in the bombing.
A Syrian woman waits for her husband who was injured in a suicide bombing at St Elias Church in Damascus which killed and wounded dozens of people with the aim of sowing chaos in the country
Bedouin tribal fighters celebrate.
Bedouin tribal fighters celebrate their capture of the town of Al-Mazra a in the Sweida countryside in southern Syria after violent clashes between Druze factions and Bedouin tribes that lasted for days leading to the Syrian state s intervention to resolve the conflict The clashes resulted in the deaths of more than 2 200 people on all sides and Israel intervened to bomb Damascus to halt the violence against the Druze
A torn Syrian flag in the center of the capital.
A torn Syrian flag in front of the Syrian Ministry of Defense in central Damascus after Israeli airstrikes destroyed the Ministry of Defense building aimed at pressuring the Syrian government to withdraw from Sweida