As celebrations kicked off marking the first anniversary of the ousting of former President Bashar Assad’s regime, Syrians are still struggling to heal after the dynasty’s repressive 50-year rule and a 14-year civil war that killed an estimated half-million people, displaced millions more and left the country battered and divided. On the anniversary on Monday, Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa vowed that his country is entering a new phase of reconstruction “worthy of its present and its past.” “No one, no matter how great, will stand in our way. No obstacle will stop us, and together we will face every challenge, God willing,” he added.
