Islamist Factions Reshaping Daily Life in Post-Assad Syria
After over a decade of civil strife, the Syrians have to deal with more than economic challenges, this crisis pushing over ninety percent of the population into poverty. Its economy shrinks 84% between Year 2010 and Year 2023, Syrian pound swings for 47: 1 to 13,065 : 1 against US$. This ef has, in turn, resulted in sharply skyrocketing prices of basic items hence transforming basic survival into a very big impossibility for larger sections of the population.
People’s tears really flowed when the first international commercial flight arrived at Damascus International Airport after its reopening after nearly 13 years of the Syrian war. Large families embracing after years of being apart suggesting that the isolation of Syria may finally be over. Nevertheless, unsavory realities of ongoing sanctions, massive inflation, lack of basic services continue to define the nation’s infrastructure mar the reunions theatrics.
Two years of sanctions have significantly limited Syria’s freedom to import basic needs such as fuel and wheat thus complicating the lives of the Syrian people. The new trade minister has recently threatened that this is yet another catastrophe if sanctions are not removed and the country is having a extremely hard time providing the people with basics. Although there’s enough food to feed everyone for a few more months, it is still an uncertain fate without outside help.
The recent tilt by the U.S. government to easing some measures to allow provision of humanitarian assistance and some transactions with the Syria’s government has provided some light at the end of the tunnel. This action identifies potential goodwill towards the people of Syria that the UNSC does not want sanctions to hinder necessary undertakings that are essential to humans. Still, the basic sanctions are fully intact, and they are still casting a significant shadow over the attempts to rebuild the nation.
Apart from economically distressed situations, the mental suffering of the Syrian people is palpable. The recent earthquake destabilized lives once again, and many of them complained that they experienced panic attacks and changes to social interactions. Rates of depression have risen and people with PTSD cannot get the proper psychiatric help meaning they must suffer through trauma alone. The prevailing continum of the war, economic difficulties, and natural disasters has led to the society being characterized with apprehension.
However, the situation described above suggests that Syrians remain unyielding under the pressure. Parents have been looking for different ways to support their children to learn given that schools have closed, and people are helping each other. However, despite the best efforts of the people and government working together, the every day life in such a country is no more than a struggle for mere existence unless the international community truly embraces the cause of Syria and starts providing the much needed support and more importantly, gets the toxic sanctions lifted.
