Syria is marking the 15th anniversary of the 2011 uprising that eventually led to the fall of Bashar al-Assad, with celebrations mixed with caution as security problems continue in parts of the country. The anniversary comes more than a year after Assad was removed from power in December 2024 and fled to Russia following a rapid offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former HTS leader, is now president and has been leading efforts to rebuild state institutions and restore order.
The uprising began on March 15, 2011, when anti-government protests broke out in cities including Deraa, Damascus and Aleppo. The demonstrations gained momentum after reports that teenage boys in Deraa were arrested and tortured for writing anti-Assad graffiti. What started as calls for reform and political freedom later turned into a long and devastating war that killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.
Pride over Assad’s fall, but fears have not disappeared
Many Syrians say the anniversary is a moment to remember both the cost of the uprising and the end of the Assad family’s rule, which lasted more than 50 years. Al Jazeera reported that commemorations this year include public gatherings and Ramadan events near Damascus, reflecting a sense of pride among many Syrians after Assad’s downfall.
At the same time, the sense of relief has not erased concerns about daily safety. Syrians interviewed by Al Jazeera said some areas feel safer than before, especially without the constant fear of arrest or torture by Assad-era security forces, but weapons remain in circulation and attacks by unidentified assailants are still a concern. Reports also point to continued threats from ISIL remnants and petty crime in some parts of the country.
New leadership gains recognition, but stability remains fragile
Sharaa has made quick diplomatic gains since taking office. Analysts have noted that he secured an unusual degree of international engagement in a short period, while also working to improve ties with regional states and Western governments. Reuters has reported that foreign governments now view him as a key figure in preventing Syria from sliding back into civil war.
Still, the security picture remains uneven. Reuters reported in late 2025 that internal unrest, minority fears and sectarian mistrust continued to challenge Sharaa’s authority, especially after deadly coastal violence earlier in the year. Those clashes killed more than 1,000 people, according to Reuters, and intensified fears among Alawites and other minority communities.
Security forces are expanding, but control is incomplete
The government has been trying to strengthen state control across the country, including on the coast and in the south, while also negotiating with Kurdish-led forces in the northeast. Al Jazeera reported that Syrian security forces have recruited large numbers quickly, but observers say they still do not have enough personnel to provide the same level of security in outlying regions as in central areas like Damascus.
That gap has left several areas vulnerable to instability. Reuters and other recent reports indicate that threats from Islamic State cells, local armed groups and unresolved regional tensions remain active, especially in the northeast and in communities where trust in the new authorities is still weak.
Anniversary marked by hope and unfinished challenges
Fifteen years after the first protests, Syria is no longer under Assad’s rule, but it is not yet fully secure. The anniversary is being observed as a historic milestone and a symbol of survival, yet it also underlines how much work remains to rebuild institutions, protect communities and prevent new cycles of violence.