Syria's New Dawn: A Tragic Story of Resilience and Reconstruction

Following the fall of Syria's Assad regime, Mohammad Marwan, a former prisoner, navigates his recovery from torture and tuberculosis. The country, like Marwan, is healing amid diplomatic successes and lingering sectarian violence after a 14-year civil war that left it economically and socially fractured.

Mohammad Marwan's release from Syria's infamous Saydnaya prison marked a pivotal moment in his life and the nation. Captured in 2018 for evading military service, he endured years of torture and imprisonment before regaining freedom amid the rebel conquest of Damascus and the ousting of President Bashar Assad.

Syria, still grappling with the aftermath of a 14-year civil war, mirrors Marwan's healing journey. As diplomatic relations with the West and Arab nations improve, sectarian divisions fuel violence, hindering comprehensive national recovery despite the promise of international aid and investment.

The economic landscape remains bleak, hampered by an ongoing need for reconstruction post-sanctions. The World Bank estimates that about USD 216 billion is needed to rebuild the nation fully. Returning refugees face an uncertain future, with many lacking basic necessities despite the hope of returning to their familiar homeland.

(With inputs from agencies.)