Raqqa marks 8 years of freedom with growth, resilience

On the eighth anniversary of the liberation of Raqqa from ISIS, feelings of hope and determination are renewed among the city’s residents, who have witnessed profound transformations since the city’s liberation on October 20, 2017, by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

On October 20, 2025, Raqqa Canton celebrates the eighth anniversary of its liberation from ISIS, which had seized control of the city in 2014. This occasion represents a major milestone in the collective memory of Raqqa’s people, symbolizing a historic moment when the city regained its soul and cultural identity after years of oppression and suffering.

On that day, the Syrian Democratic Forces restored hope to Raqqa and opened the door to a new era of reconstruction and recovery. The anniversary has since become a symbol of popular resilience and collective will in confronting darkness and extremism.

According to the Executive Council of Raqqa Canton, the city was 85% destroyed at the time of liberation. However, over the past eight years, the Democratic Autonomous Administration has succeeded in restoring life to the city.

In an exclusive statement to ANHA agency on the occasion of the anniversary, Mashleb Al-Turkan, Co-Chair of the Executive Council of Raqqa Canton, affirmed that “this anniversary is not merely symbolic, but a collective moment of assessment — to measure what has been achieved and what still lies ahead.” He noted that Raqqa now stands on firmer ground, yet continues to face major challenges on the path to full recovery.

Health: Expanding Services Despite Limited Resources

The canton includes three public hospitals (National Hospital, Maternity, and Pediatrics) and seven private hospitals, in addition to 20 medical clinics across the urban and rural areas. The old section of the National Hospital is currently being renovated, with an MRI department to open soon—enhancing diagnostic capabilities in the city.

Al-Turkan revealed future plans to expand the Maternity Hospital and open a Heart and Eye Center next year, describing it as one of the city’s strategic projects.

Education: Infrastructure Expansion and Rising Student Numbers

The education sector has witnessed remarkable progress: the number of schools rose from 385 in 2022 to 485 in 2025, with 104 schools restored, 20 newly built, 5 under construction, and 26 undergoing renovation.

Currently, 96,453 students are enrolled under the supervision of 5,866 teachers.

In 2021, the University of the East was established in Raqqa under the Council of Universities of North and East Syria. It includes 8 faculties (Sciences, Agriculture, Law, Economics, English Language, Arts, Education, Medical Sciences) and 4 institutes (Technical, Languages, Engineering, Administrative-Financial, and Kurdish Language). In 2025, a Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was added to the university.

Infrastructure and Public Services: Steady Progress Amid Challenges

Since liberation, the Democratic Autonomous Administration has prioritized urban organization and reconstruction alongside residents’ efforts. Over eight years, major infrastructure in health, education, agriculture, and public utilities—including drinking water, sewage, and road paving—has been rehabilitated.

The canton has 107 bakeries, including one economic-agricultural bakery and five cooperative bakeries, supplied with 297 tons of flour daily.

In the water sector, 200 stations supply drinking water to both urban and rural areas, while 25 irrigation pumps serve agricultural lands. Al-Turkan noted that the administration promptly repaired all damaged pumps after liberation to secure irrigation and drinking water.

He added that the administration is working to strengthen the agricultural sector — the lifeline of the region — by creating mechanisms to market local crops and produce after previous seasons saw difficulties in distribution.

The administration also plans to increase the number of water-purification stations and artesian wells in 2025 to extend water access to remote rural areas.

In the electricity sector, the administration has implemented a series of major projects over the past seven years, rehabilitating power conversion stations and restoring service to most urban and rural power centers.

Agriculture and Industry: Toward Self-Sufficiency

Raqqa Canton includes 756,000 dunums of irrigated farmland nourished by irrigation projects, tributaries of the Balikh River, and both surface and artesian wells.

There are 550 factories in the canton—250 permanent, 150 seasonal, and 150 currently inactive.

Residents rely on seasonal crops such as cotton, wheat, barley, corn, vegetables, and fruit trees. The region largely achieves self-sufficiency in essential agricultural produce.

Municipal Services: 85% Rehabilitation Achieved

Raqqa’s municipal authorities have paved 70% of damaged roads since liberation, using 128,420 meters of asphalt over the past eight years. 85% of the sewage networks have also been restored, according to the People’s Municipality.

Since opening in early 2018, the municipality has issued 4,022 building permits, reflecting a major wave of organized reconstruction.

Al-Turkan announced plans to increase rural municipalities’ budgets next year to expand projects and repair remaining damages.

Society and Governance: Strengthening Reconciliation and Empowering Women

The Democratic Autonomous Administration of Raqqa has launched several community reconciliation initiatives, supported civil society organizations, and promoted women’s empowerment through institutions such as Zenobia Women’s Assembly, the Syrian Women’s Council, and the Young Women’s Union.

The canton includes 16 local councils and 349 communes, serving a total population of 1,010,776 as of 2024.

Al-Turkan stated that the five main sectors—industry, education, health, agriculture, and services—are witnessing noticeable improvement. The administration is preparing its 2026 budget to create new job opportunities and boost the canton’s development and prosperity.

Toward a More Just and Stable Future

In conclusion, Al-Turkan emphasized: “Raqqa will never go back. The will of its people is stronger than any challenge. Our march continues toward a more just and stable future.”

He reaffirmed that the civil administration is focusing on new objectives: enhancing security, supporting small enterprises, and developing local governance.

Today, eight years after liberation, Raqqa continues to move steadily toward recovery—guided by the determination of its people and institutions—despite the challenges that still accompany the process of rebuilding and development.

a.k

ANHA