Special Envoy to Damascus (Syria)How many pleases of instagram do you earn if you publish a photo depicting a kalàixnikov?
Yesterday, in the new Syria, it was impractical to give up positions.In the Umayyad Mosque, in the historic center of Damascus, irrational prints abounded.
“Vertical, vertical, vertical,” a teenager said to her friend. The photo was historic: he was holding the rifle of one of the Syrian rebels who overthrew the eternal Assad regime. Holding the Kalashnikov, the girl stuck out her butt and lips. Once the photo was taken, the friends exchanged documents. And the Kalashnikov. And the vertical photo. Vertical photos are better suited to the format stories of Instagram.
The militiaman who owned the rifle had the aura of a rock star. All the Syrian rebels who now control Syria had a rock star aura yesterday in Damascus.The parents gave them their children in their arms. Photo. The creatures took the militiamen’s rifles. Photo. The children kissed the militiamen. Photo. Some children were dressed as militiamen. Photo.
The militiamen were formed selfies with everyone they wanted.
– Do you want to take a photo? a Syrian rebel asked me.
-Where will this photo come out?
–In a Barcelona newspaper.
Yesterday was Friday, a holy day in Islam. It was the first Friday after the end of Al-Assad. the holy prayer that was held in the sacred Umayyad mosque, the largest in Damascus, became the presentation of the new Syrian government to the people. More than a religious act, it was a political act. The faith was the same.The euphoria surpassed the ecstasy.
“The road to rebuilding Syria, a country of civilization, dignity and freedom, can only be traveled thru tolerance and reconciliation,” Mohamed al-Bashir, interim Prime Minister Al-Bashir, said during the sermon. a member of the Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militia, was named leader of the political transition on Monday. The rebels, fundamentalists linked to Al-Qaida and allied with pro-Turkish factions, promise to build a country for everyone.
“We are vrey happy, we are very happy,” said in English a young Syrian who was recording everything on his cell phone.
– YES.They hunted down Al-Assad’s killer.
-Better than with Al-Assad’s assassin.
This was the gateway to the unconditional love of the Syrians. After more than fifty years of bloody dictatorship, the majority of the population had only one desire: for someone to free them from al-assad. This someone they were the HTS militiamen. This someone it could have been someone else, and yesterday’s love scene in Damascus probably would
Social media isn’t just about love. Images of violence against the remnants of the dynasty are repeated in recent days on Syrian social networks.
Yesterday the video of a militiaman urinating on the grave of Bashar al-assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, went viral. This tomb had been looted and set on fire two days earlier. Almost all of Al-Assad’s properties have already been. In Damascus, many rebels who have come from far away - from other regions of Syria or from countries such as Turkey or Uzbekistan – continue to sleep in the presidential palace that Bashar had to leave in a hurry. In his office the militiamen found a half-drunk cup of coffee. The last coffee before Vladimir Putin’s escape to Russia.
White paint triumphs
Al-Assad’s last cup of coffee was white. White is the fashionable color in Syria. Investing in white paint in cities like Damascus is now a winning bet.
Al-Assad, like all dictators, has had his color snowballs. He did not reach the level of exquisiteness of the dictator of turkmenistan - also a friend of Putin – who suffered from a special affinity with white and had to dye everything this color. In Turkmenistan, his country, almost everything is white.The buildings, the cars and, above all, the horses. Bashar al-Assad, conversely, became obsessed with tattooing all of Damascus with the Syrian flag. in the last years of the regime, advised in the factories they paint the shutters with the Syrian flag.But Al-Assad is finished. Even their flag. In Syria the rebel flag now flies, replacing the upper red stripe with a green one.
For this reason, in recent days in Damascus it is easy to see men erasing Al-Assad’s colors and painting the shutters of his factories white. They are breaking free.
“I never would have said that the Assad regime would fall in such a ridiculous way,” said one of the men who paints his shop with some sarcasm. he is around fifty years old and preferred not to reveal his name.
The Reuters agency explained yesterday, citing sources present at the events, that a few hours before the escape Bashar al-Assad had assured in a meeting with around thirty army and security commanders from the Ministry of Defense that Russian military support was insufficient and which was necessary to resist the rebel offensive. Next, he called his publicist and asked her to come to his house to write a speech for her. When the councilor arrived at Al-Assad’s house, no one was there. Bashar had taken a secret flight to Russia. His wife and children, who had fled days earlier, were already waiting for him in Moscow.
Many feel this threat. The Israeli army takes advantage of the chaos to bomb syria more than ever and to penetrate its territory.tel Aviv says the attacks aim only to destroy military capabilities abandoned by the Assad regime.
How can the new Syrian leadership promote reconciliation among diverse factions after years of conflict?
interviewer: Good day, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have an intriguing guest who has just returned from Damascus, Syria—a place that’s recently seen ample political changes. We are joined by Dr. Leila Hassan, a conflict resolution expert with years of experience in the Middle East. Dr. Hassan, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Hassan: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss these vital developments.
Interviewer: Let’s jump right in.You’ve recently witnessed a meaningful event in the Umayyad Mosque, with local rebel forces taking center stage. Can you describe the atmosphere there?
Dr. Hassan: Certainly. The atmosphere was electric—almost surreal. The mosque, a symbol of heritage and spirituality, was transformed into a stage for the new Syrian government. I witnessed people engaging with former rebels, taking selfies with them, and even allowing children to hold Kalashnikov rifles for photos. It’s a striking juxtaposition of conventional Islam with the modernity of social media.
interviewer: Interesting—this merging of celebration and social media. It’s fascinating how vertical photos are favorited for Instagram Stories. How do you think this impacts the narrative being crafted around the political transition?
Dr. hassan: It’s significant. The youth, especially, are utilizing platforms like Instagram to reshape the narrative surrounding their experiences and identities. By showcasing a new era—one defined by their direct engagement with rebel fighters and political figures—they’re effectively claiming their role in Syria’s future. The Kalashnikov has transformed from a symbol of war to one of celebrity and, perhaps, nationalism.
Interviewer: So,you would say these photos serve a deeper purpose beyond mere social sharing?
Dr. Hassan: Absolutely. They’re part of a collective memory and identity formation. The images help to manifest a certain ‘rock star’ aura around the militia. For the younger generation, these are figures of change and rebellion.The act of taking these photos can be seen as participating in the revolution itself—redefining who they are in the context of a post-Assad Syria.
Interviewer: That’s a compelling viewpoint. You mentioned interim Prime Minister Mohamed al-Bashir’s sermon, where he emphasized “tolerance and reconciliation.” How realistic is this vision, considering the complexities of different factions within Syria?
Dr. Hassan: While the rhetoric of tolerance and reconciliation is vital,the reality on the ground is far more complicated. The diverse array of factions—some linked to Al-Qaeda, others to pro-Turkish groups—makes consensus challenging. Al-Bashir’s leadership will be tested by the old sectarian divides and existing grievances. His success will depend on inclusivity and the ability to bring various voices to the table, which is no small feat.
Interviewer: What do you foresee as the critical steps moving forward for syria in this new chapter?
Dr. Hassan: The road to rebuilding Syria involves more than just political transition—it requires justice, accountability, and a focus on human rights. Sas well as facilitating dialog among communities, one must also address the socio-economic challenges and the critical need for reconciliation. If these matters are not addressed, the path could veer back into conflict.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Hassan. Your insights into this complex situation are invaluable. As Syria embarks on this uncertain journey, how do you hope social media continues to shape public perception and engagement?
Dr. Hassan: social media can be a powerful tool for amplifying voices that have historically been marginalized. if used wisely, it can foster dialogue and promote solidarity among diverse groups. Though, it can also propagate misinformation and division if not handled correctly.It’s a double-edged sword, and it will be essential for the new leadership to harness its potential positively.
Interviewer: Thank you once again, Dr. Hassan, for sharing your expertise and thoughts on these pressing issues. We look forward to seeing how Syria’s story unfolds and hope for a future of peace and unity.
Dr. Hassan: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we stay informed and engaged with what’s happening in Syria.