VOA Kurdish: New Syrian ruler promises better future but new uncertainty lingers

Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on Dec. 8, 2024.

Syria stands at a crossroads as the new administration led by Tahrir al-Sham group, an al-Qaida offshoot, promises a fresh start for all Syrians. Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has pledged an end to oppression and persecution, vowing to build a Syria that embraces its diverse communities. However, reports from regions under the new administration, particularly the predominantly Alawite western coast, paint a troubling picture of continued violence and unrest.