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The recent withdrawal of hundreds of American troops from Syria — estimated at 500 personnel and accompanied by the closure or handover of multiple bases to the Syrian Democratic Forces — marks more than just a tactical shift in US foreign policy. It may, if seized wisely, signal the dawn of a new opportunity for Syrians to redefine their nation’s future through unity, reconciliation and inclusivity.

This move, characterized by US officials as “safe, deliberate and conditions-based,” reflects a major recalibration following the fall of the Assad regime. For years, Syria has been trapped in a brutal vortex of conflict, foreign intervention and sectarian fragmentation. Now, as international military footprints shrink, the onus is increasingly on Syrians themselves to shape the road ahead.

The handover of military sites — such as Mission Support Site Euphrates — to the SDF is emblematic of a transition from foreign-led stabilization to local governance. While this raises valid concerns about the future balance of power among Kurdish, Arab and other ethnic groups in northeastern Syria, it also presents a rare chance to lay the groundwork for a decentralized, inclusive system that respects Syria’s diversity.

Yet the departure of US forces should not be mistaken for an end to instability. Instead, it is a fork in the road. Syrians — regardless of ethnicity, faith or political affiliation — must now decide: Will they allow the vacuum to be filled by renewed factionalism or will they use this space to chart a united course toward nation-building?

As international military footprints shrink, the onus is increasingly on Syrians themselves to shape the road ahead

Hani Hazaimeh

The SDF, a Kurdish-led coalition with substantial Arab participation, has been praised for maintaining a degree of stability in northeastern Syria. However, its dominance has also fueled tensions with Arab tribes and raised concerns about representation. True inclusivity means more than shifting military control — it demands a political solution that empowers all Syrians, from Qamishli to Deraa.

A meaningful path forward could include the development of a new federal model for Syria — one that devolves authority to regional entities while safeguarding national unity. Such an arrangement would not only address long-standing grievances but also prevent the return of autocracy under new guises.

As Syria emerges from dictatorship and war, there must be a concerted effort to pursue transitional justice rather than retribution. Mechanisms should be put in place to acknowledge the atrocities of the past, support victims and hold perpetrators accountable through fair legal processes. Only through truth and justice can real reconciliation take root.

The chance to build a new Syria — one that is inclusive, accountable and representative — is within reach

Hani Hazaimeh

The country’s young generation — many of whom have only known war — must be given a leading role in rebuilding Syria. Education, entrepreneurship and civic participation should be national priorities. Civil society organizations, long stifled or co-opted, need space to grow independently and help rebuild trust between citizens and their institutions.

International actors can and should play a supportive role, not as overseers but as partners in reconstruction and capacity-building. Any engagement must be conditional on the inclusion of marginalized voices and the advancement of human rights.

The withdrawal of US forces should not be seen as abandonment, but as an inflection point. The real question is not what foreign powers will do next, but what Syrians will do now.

The chance to build a new Syria — one that is inclusive, accountable and representative — is within reach. It will not be easy. But with courage, dialogue and vision, the Syrian people can reclaim their future — not through force, but through unity.

History has shown that peace imposed from the outside rarely endures. But peace built from within can transform nations. Now is the time for Syrians to choose the path of transformation.

• Hani Hazaimeh is a senior editor based in Amman. X: @hanihazaimeh