AnewZ travelled across northeastern Syria, where the scars of more than a decade of war remain visible but many believe the country has entered a new chapter.
From Hasakah to Raqqa, residents, officials and displaced families described the challenges of rebuilding their lives as Damascus works to restore state institutions and revive the economy following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in 2024.
"Nothing has improved here at all," he says. "There's no work. We have to buy water, and all goods are very expensive. Household expenses do not match our income because there are no sales and the cost of living is high."
His experience reflects the reality facing many Syrians as the country transitions from conflict towards reconstruction.
Northeastern Syria was one of the main fault lines during nearly 14 years of civil war, with multiple armed groups competing for control. Raqqa, once the de facto capital of the so-called Islamic State, has since become a symbol of both the devastation caused by war and the country's efforts to move forward.
The fall of the Assad government ushered in a new political era under President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who has pledged to prioritise economic recovery and national interests.
The United States and the European Union have since eased sanctions on Syria as Damascus seeks to rebuild its economy and restore public institutions.
Officials also view the ceasefire and integration agreement signed earlier this year between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as an important step towards greater stability. The agreement includes the integration of strategic areas, including key oil-producing regions such as Rumailan and al-Suwaydiyah, into the state's administrative framework.
Raqqa's governor, Abdulrahman Salama, told AnewZ that the agreement offers an opportunity to strengthen stability and national unity while supporting economic recovery.
"I believe they should make the most of this opportunity because President Ahmad al-Sharaa gives great importance to this region," he said. "They are Syrian citizens. They must receive their rights and fulfil their responsibilities towards the state and the new society."
While reconstruction is taking shape inside Syria, officials say the country's future will also depend on regional cooperation.
Raqqa's governor highlighted Azerbaijan's mediation efforts as a positive contribution to dialogue, expressing hope that regional diplomacy can help create conditions for lasting stability.
Officials also point to evolving relations with neighbouring countries, including Türkiye, as developments that will influence Syria's next phase.
Analysts say northeastern Syria remains strategically important because of its energy resources, diverse communities and geographic position. They note that developments involving Türkiye, Israel and other regional actors continue to shape the country's security environment.
Even so, local officials argue that cooperation rather than confrontation offers the best path forward.
"Syrians have already lived through years of war," Salama told AnewZ. "If we want Syria to prosper, develop further and catch up with advanced countries after years of conflict, we need stability."
Across Hasakah and Raqqa, residents know rebuilding Syria will take time. While economic hardship persists, many see the country's political transition and growing regional engagement as an opportunity to move forward.
The road to recovery remains long, but many hope Syria's next chapter will be defined by stability, cooperation and reconstruction rather than conflict.
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