New constitution aims to unify divided Syria

Syria's Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has announced a new constitutional declaration aimed at unifying the country during a five-year transitional period. The constitution promises freedoms and criminalizes calls for division or foreign intervention. Al-Sharaa, a former leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, faces significant challenges due to deep sectarian divides. His recent pact to integrate Kurdish forces into the government has been rejected by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council, which demands better protection for diverse communities. This declaration follows violent uprisings in Alawite strongholds, resulting in over 1,000 deaths, primarily among Alawites. Al-Sharaa condemned the violence and pledged accountability for those responsible, as tensions continue to rise amid misinformation on social media.