Syria’s Rebel Leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Outlines Timeline For New Elections.
Syria’s transitional leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has indicated that holding new elections in the country could take up to four years. Speaking in an interview with Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader provided his first timeline for democratic processes since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.
Sharaa explained that drafting a new constitution alone could take three years, with additional time required to rebuild the legal system and conduct a comprehensive population census. He acknowledged that significant improvements to public services might not be evident for at least a year, stressing that the process of recovery and reform would require patience and cooperation.
“Syria’s journey towards legitimate elections will be deliberate,” Sharaa said. “We must ensure these elections are free, fair, and reflective of all Syrians.”
The HTS, once designated as a terrorist organisation and linked to jihadist groups such as Islamic State and al-Qaeda, has pledged to dissolve itself as part of an upcoming national dialogue conference. Sharaa assured Syrians that the new leadership would protect the rights and freedoms of the country’s diverse ethnic and religious groups, including Kurds, Christians, Druze, and Alawites.
Critics have questioned the inclusivity of Sharaa’s transitional government. However, he defended recent appointments, stating they were “essential” for maintaining stability during this period and not intended to marginalise any community.
In the wake of Assad’s overthrow, nearly 300 individuals, including informants and pro-regime fighters, have been arrested, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The arrests, reportedly carried out with local support, targeted those suspected of undermining the new leadership. Weapons and ammunition were also seized during these operations, as confirmed by Syria’s state news agency, Sana.
While Sharaa’s leadership has promised to unite the war-torn country after 13 years of civil war, the upcoming national dialogue conference will serve as a critical test of his administration’s ability to foster unity and trust.
Observers remain cautious but hopeful that this transition marks the beginning of a new era for Syria—one that prioritises inclusivity, peace, and the reconstruction of a nation long divided by conflict.
