In a recent interview, Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed Al Sharaa, revealed that it may take up to four years before the country holds its long-awaited elections. This marks a significant revision from his earlier statement, in which he had indicated that elections could take place much sooner. Al Sharaa’s new timeline underscores the deep-rooted challenges Syria faces in its journey toward recovery after years of devastating civil war.

Speaking on December 29, exactly three weeks after his forces took control of Damascus, Al Sharaa shared his perspective with the Saudi state-owned broadcaster, Al Arabiya. He suggested that Syrians should not expect to see any dramatic political changes for at least another year. His words signal the ongoing complexity of the situation in Syria, which remains embroiled in a multi-sided conflict, despite some key military victories in recent months.

Al Sharaa also reiterated Syria’s “strategic interests” with Russia, a critical ally that has played a key role in sustaining Bashar al-Assad’s regime. While acknowledging the Kremlin’s involvement in keeping Assad in power, Al Sharaa emphasized that the relationship with Russia remains a central element in Syria’s future political framework.

His comments come just days ahead of a highly anticipated national dialogue conference, which is set to bring together hundreds of key stakeholders to map out a political roadmap for rebuilding Syria. The conference is seen as an essential step in the country’s recovery after 13 years of civil war. One of the key announcements expected from Al Sharaa’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is the formal dissolution of the group, a move that could signal a shift in the political dynamics of the region.

As the international community watches closely, the road ahead for Syria remains uncertain, with political and military challenges continuing to shape the country’s future. Al Sharaa’s comments serve as a reminder of the long and difficult journey ahead for Syria in its pursuit of stability and democratic reforms.

Al Jazeera.