Syria Marks 15 Years Since Anti-Assad Uprising, Security Issues Remain

Syrians will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the uprising that ended President Bashar al-Assad’s rule on Sunday. The uprising began in March 2011 after the arrest and torture of teenage boys for painting anti-Assad graffiti. The protests escalated into demands for democratic reforms and the release of political prisoners, leading to a brutal crackdown by al-Assad’s forces. In December 2024, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group removed al-Assad from power, with Ahmed al-Sharaa becoming the new president. Despite gaining international legitimacy, Syria still faces security challenges, including the presence of ISIL fighters and ongoing violence in certain regions. The government has made efforts to establish control and improve communal relations, but concerns remain over minority groups’ status in the country.

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