Syria's president extends New Year’s greetings to nation

ISTANBUL

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa extended New Year’s greetings to the Syrian people early Thursday, marking the start of 2026 with a message of unity and hope.

In a post on the US social media company X’s platform, Sharaa said that with the start of the new year, we look “with hope and optimism” toward a bright future in which Syria remains united, strong and stable and where Syrians participate hand in hand in reconstruction and development.

He said the goal is for peace, harmony and prosperity to spread across all parts of the country.

“Wishing you and Syria a happy new year,” he wrote.

A new transitional administration headed by Sharaa was formed in January after Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.