For many Syrians, winter brings not only cold weather but painful reminders of years of neglect during the war. Crumbling infrastructure, chronic power outages, and fuel shortages once turned every storm into a struggle for survival. As the “new state” promises a new beginning, citizens are asking whether this winter will finally bring meaningful change.
Syria’s winter crises were never isolated incidents but the result of years of short-term planning and corruption. The Assad administration prioritized appearances over public welfare, reacting to disasters instead of preventing them. Each heavy rainfall exposed the weakness of city drainage systems, flooded neighborhoods, and brought power and fuel cuts that crippled daily life.
Words that Don’t Fade with the Clouds
Umm Muhammad, a resident of the Damascus countryside, recalled her dread each year when rain began to fall. “Water would leak into our apartment from the ceiling,” she told Levant24 (L24). “We spent our salaries buying diesel on the black market. We felt completely neglected.” She wondered whether the new government would restore the diesel subsidy, “even a small amount,” and reduce its price.
“The streets were turning into rivers, and reports were going unheeded,”Abu Ali, a teacher from Damascus, described to L24 how “administrative corruption was the order of the day.” He added, “We’re still waiting—this government hasn’t presented any clear plans for the coming winter.”
A university student, Farah said electricity shortages meant “darkness, cold, and studying by candlelight. We all asked: where is our country’s wealth going?” She urged the new government to move beyond promises and deliver results.
For farmers, the impact of winter is even harsher. Abu Jihad, from rural Damascus, said that widespread power outages and fuel shortages “paralyze our ability to operate irrigation pumps or preserve crops. Even transporting produce to markets has become an adventure—sometimes the crops spoil before they arrive.”
Hope from the New State
After years of hardship, Syrians are demanding proof, not promises. They expect the new government to demonstrate real change through transparency, accountability, and long-term planning. Citizens want negligent officials held responsible, waste and corruption exposed, and infrastructure rebuilt through scientific development plans rather than temporary fixes.
Resolving the energy crisis remains at the heart of public expectations. Sustainable power projects, fair fuel distribution, and stronger local governance are essential to restoring public trust. This winter will test whether the new state can break with the failures of the past. Syrians will believe in reform only when they see dry streets, warm homes, and reliable electricity. The season ahead is more than a test of logistics—it is a measure of the government’s political will and moral credibility
