# A New Dawn and Ongoing Strife: Syria's Dual Reality

The nation faces a stark divide as its new president seeks to bring peace, while fierce battles erupt in the northeast, threatening the ambitions of a unified Syria.

In early March 2025, the streets of Damascus buzz with optimism as crowds gather in cafes, celebrating the new era under interim president Ahmed al-Shara, who recently held a national unity conference to restore hope among Syrians. For the first time in decades, citizens are finding their voices. Yet, the scene shifts dramatically just 400 miles away in northeastern Syria, where ongoing clashes disrupt the fragile calm.

The region has transformed into a battleground between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by the United States, and a Syrian Arab militia backed by Turkey. The fighting has intensified following the overtaking of Bashar al-Assad last December, pushing thousands to flee amidst unrelenting drone activity and artillery bombardments.

Ahmed al-Shara faces an uphill battle as he attempts to solidify his government’s power across a divided country, navigate the challenges posed by various religious and ethnic factions, and curb the resurgence of the Islamic State group. The concerns extending beyond Syria’s borders mirror the fears of its neighboring countries, wary of potential spillover from these volatile regions.

At the heart of the conflict lies the Kurdish population, constituting roughly 10% of Syria’s demographic, who have established a degree of autonomy in the northeast. The stakes are particularly high, as Turkey perceives the Kurdish factions as a direct threat to its own territorial integrity and stability. As tensions continue to rise, the fate of the Kurds hangs in a precarious balance, overshadowed by ongoing military engagements that could further fracture Syria’s chances of a peaceful resolution.