Safeguarding our free Syria dream amid daunting challenges

However, the situation in Sweida is very different from that of the SDF-controlled areas in the northeast. Namely, it lacks a unified leadership and is plagued by division and competing claims over who is authorised to represent the province and its Druze population at the national level.

One man considered by some as the spiritual leader of the Syrian Druze community, Hikmat al-Hijri, has publicly rejected the notion of a national state and prefers the southern region be autonomous. Labelling the current government in Damascus as "extremist", reports emerged that he could seek Israeli protection of the southern province and that some Druze leaders had visited Israel to discuss the matter.

In light of this potentially harmful development, it is crucial that al-Sharaa continues to reach out to patriotic and level-headed leaders of the Druze community to stave off the possibility that the province breaks away from Syria.

A new dictatorship?

Meanwhile, the constitutional declaration signed a few days back sparked a new round of controversy. Many see it as a blueprint for establishing a new dictatorship in Syria. The declaration places the bulk of power in the hands of the president—something that many Syrians would naturally oppose given their traumatic experience under the Assad regime for more than five decades. 

Others justified the declaration, claiming Syria was in the midst of extraordinary circumstances that necessitated a strong central authority to prevent the political paralysis that some countries experienced in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. But after enduring such brutal rule for so long, it is understandable that there would be a lack of trust between citizens and their leaders.

Competing visions

There are competing visions for the future identity of Syria, and the path forward is strewn with challenges the country's new leaders have to carefully navigate. With forces bent on destabilising Syria and even breaking it into fiefdoms, the importance of national unity cannot be underestimated.

Al-Sharaa mustn't give up on dialogue and reaching common ground with its myriad communities with diverse interests. It is important that areas of potential conflict and disagreement be highlighted and diffused before they fester and boil over in the future.

The focus must be on economic recovery and rebuilding war-torn infrastructure, but this can only be achieved if the country is unified and stable. Key to this recovery is the lifting of sanctions, which will be unlikely if the country descends into sectarian violence and chaos, like what happened in the coastal areas.

Amid these trying times, it's important we hold onto hope. Remember, it was not too long ago the Assad regime was raining barrel bombs on the heads of its citizens, and today, government helicopters drop roses over crowds celebrating the anniversary of the revolution. We must safeguard this incredible achievement as we move forward to build the dream Syria we all deserve.