Part 3/8:

Residents of Damascus report bustling streets, signaling a shift from fear to optimism. They look forward to returning to normalcy and rebuilding their lives, with many displaced persons beginning to return from abroad. However, remnants of conflict persist, raising the question of whether the new regime can maintain stability amid underlying tensions.

HTS: A Moderating Influence or a Continued Threat?

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—a leading rebel faction considered a terrorist organization by many Western nations—stands at the forefront of this transformation. The group is attempting to distance itself from its extremist past and has openly committed to respecting diverse religious beliefs and facilitating democratic processes such as elections.