In a ceremony held Tuesday at the historic Aleppo Citadel, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa declared that the war for Syria’s liberation had ended and a new battle had begun—the battle for reconstruction. The event, titled “Aleppo: The Key to Victory,” commemorated the city’s liberation and paid tribute to the fighters, martyrs, and families who helped secure it.
The audience, composed of top military, political, and local dignitaries, joined thousands of citizens to witness the President return a symbolic shield to the city—one that had been entrusted to him two years earlier by Aleppo’s notables, along with their vow of victory.
“You wrote glory with your blood,” Sharaa said, addressing the people of Aleppo. “Our war with the tyrants has ended, and our battle against poverty has begun.” He emphasized the shift from military triumph to economic and civic revival, calling on Syrians to “roll up your sleeves, master your work, and excel in creativity.”
A City That Symbolizes National Victory
Aleppo played a pivotal role in the success of the Repelling of Aggression campaign, which marked the collapse of the former regime’s strongholds in the north. It was the first major urban center to fall, and, according to Governor Azzam al-Gharib, its liberation was “an epic that will be told to generations to come.”
Gharib hailed the elite units who infiltrated enemy operations centers, leading to the regime’s breakdown and a decisive shift in the war. “Their courage behind the lines confused leadership, severed communications, and cleared the path for Aleppo’s freedom,” he said. The governor also thanked the wounded and the families of those who died, calling them “heroes who restored the nation’s glory.”
From Military Strategy to Economic Renewal
Both Sharaa and Gharib framed the victory as not just territorial but symbolic, placing Aleppo at the center of Syria’s future. “Whoever liberates Aleppo liberates the Levant,” the governor said, echoing a long-held belief in the city’s strategic and cultural significance. Sharaa went further, calling Aleppo “the East’s opportunity in a time of devastation” and “an economic beacon.”
The President’s speech struck a tone of resolve and unity. “We will not rest until we rebuild Syria anew and show it off to the entire world,” he said. Citing the support of international allies, he added, “It’s not charity—it’s what Syrians earned through sacrifice.”
A Covenant Renewed Amid Ruins Reborn
In a moment heavy with symbolism, Sharaa fulfilled his promise by returning the honorary shield to Aleppo’s people. “We kept our promise,” he said. “From Aleppo, I declare: the war against tyrants is over; the fight against poverty begins.” The ceremony closed not as an endpoint but a call to action—to transform victory into prosperity, and to turn battlefield resolve into a lasting peace.
