One week after the collapse of Syria’s Baathist regime led by Bashar al-Assad, Syrians are expressing cautious optimism for a brighter future in their war-torn country. Scenes of abandoned heavy tanks and military equipment on the streets have become makeshift playgrounds for children, symbolizing the dramatic shift in control.

The collapse came after a rapid and intense offensive led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels, who seized major Syrian cities in swift succession. With the regime’s downfall, vital infrastructure across the country has been paralyzed, sparking urgent calls for calm and a return to normalcy.

“We are hoping for the situation to calm down and for things to stabilize,” said Yahya Zabi, a resident of Damascus, in an interview with Rudaw. “We want life to begin again, stores to be restocked, and bakeries to reopen. Our bakery, which supplied all of Damascus, has stopped. We wish for life to return to how it was before the crisis.”

The collapse of the Syrian regime has had a profound impact on the country's transportation and aviation sectors. Damascus International Airport has been out of service for over a week, with several planes left abandoned or damaged by Israeli airstrikes.

“The strikes affected civilian planes,” said Samr Radzi, deputy maintenance director of Syrian Airlines. “We have tried to repair as much as we can. The airplane runway was hit, which halted airport operations for some time. Now, we are back, continuing our work with the efforts of these young men.”

With HTS-led Syrian rebels now controlling the capital, a transitional government has been established, headed by Mohammed al-Bashir. The new administration is tasked with steering the country toward stability until a formal government can be elected.

Negotiations to form a new government are ongoing, but no final agreement has been reached. Meanwhile, citizens remain hopeful for lasting peace and a return to normal daily life. The fall of Assad’s regime marks a significant turning point in Syria’s long-running conflict, with the coming weeks expected to be pivotal for the country's political future.