Syrians’ hopes turn to 2026 as year of peace, unity of land, people

Between the challenges of 2025 and the hopes pinned on 2026, Syrians’ voices; especially those from Raqqa, Tabqa, and Deir ez-Zor are rising, calling for unity of land and people and wishing that the new year will bring peace and stability to Syria.

In this context, Khaled Ibrahim from the Tabqa canton said that 2025 represented a “pivotal turning point” for him and for many Syrians, describing it as a year of liberation from the defunct Ba'athist regime.

He noted that despite these major transformations, the recent period has witnessed political tensions, which have raised public concern while simultaneously strengthening people’s hope that 2026 will mark the beginning of a more stable phase.

Ibrahim expressed his hope that 2026 will be a year of peace for Syria and that the country will be unified, encompassing all its components and social groups. He called for unity of land and people and for conscious and responsible thinking in the face of the bloodshed inflicted on various peoples and components in Syria, wishing for an end to killing and crimes and for greater political and intellectual awareness among all Syrians.

For his part, Ahmed al-Jadua from the town of al-Jarniyah in the Tabqa canton affirmed that “2025 was a year full of suffering for the people as a result of wars that directly affected living conditions.”

He expressed his hope that peace and fraternity will prevail in the coming year, and that it will be a new year free of wars, threats, and hardships, stressing that the blood of a Muslim is sacred to another Muslim, and wishing goodness for Syria and all Syrians.

Al-Jadua added that the past year saw the displacement of thousands of families from their homes and lands, forcing them to live in difficult conditions in tents amid a state of chaos that spread across wide areas of the country.

He pointed out that incitement attempts by media figures residing outside Syria contributed to fueling discord among the components of the Syrian people, leaving significant negative impacts.

He expressed hope that such practices will end in the coming year, and that Syrians will be one people and one cohesive fabric, with no distinction based on component, sect, or ethnicity, affirming that Syria is a homeland for all its sons and daughters.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Hassan al-Salloum from the town of al-Gharanij in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor said: “We hope that the coming year will be better, God willing, and that it will bring improvement on all levels, and that the days ahead will be better than those that have passed. Life this year was not normal, and conditions were difficult for everyone.”

Similarly, citizen Ali Abdul-Tarif from the city of Hajin said: “The past year was a difficult one, full of wars, and witnessed extensive destruction and suffering. Yet despite everything we have been through, we hope the new year will be a year of goodness and righteous work a better year that brings hope to all citizens without any discrimination.

“Our wish is that everyone lives together without distinction no difference between Sunni or Shiite, Kurd or any other component. We are all sons of one homeland, and we hope to unite, hand in hand, to rebuild our country. We are brothers, and through our unity we become stronger.”

As for Fadel Dawoud, a resident of Raqqa, he said: “Syrians’ hopes in the new year are directed toward consolidating civil peace among all components,” stressing the importance of cooperation between the autonomous administration and the transitional government to achieve stability.

Dawoud explained that Syrians hope for the implementation of the March 10 agreement signed between the Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, and the Head of the Transitional Government, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in a manner that serves the interests of the land and the people and strengthens an atmosphere of goodwill and peace.

He added that among the most prominent demands of the Syrian people is the realization of their legitimate aspirations across all Syrian territories and the embodiment of the goals of the revolution for which they rose up, ensuring the prosperity of communities and the dignified and safe return of refugees to their original areas.

Dawoud concluded by emphasizing that the coming phase requires the concerted efforts of national forces to establish stability and build a better future for all Syrians.

ANHA