RAQQA, Syria, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Eight years after being freed from the grip of the Islamic State (IS) group, the Syrian city of Raqqa is once again standing at a crossroads, with residents hoping that a fragile ceasefire will spare their war-weary city from another cycle of violence.
Raqqa was liberated from the IS control in October 2017 after one of the fiercest battles in Syria's conflict, marking a major turning point in ending the group's territorial rule in the country.
Yet for many residents, the fall of the IS did not bring immediate peace. The city later became a frontline in clashes between IS remnants and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and more recently, a focal point of tensions between the SDF and Syria's interim government.
Following recent developments that saw the interim government regain full control of Raqqa, many residents express their primary concern for security and hope that the current ceasefire between the SDF and the Syrian interim government will prevent their city from falling back into conflict.
"Security and safety are the first demand," said Thamer al-Ali, a Raqqa resident. "There is too much uncontrolled weaponry in the city. This is not normal. Weapons must be limited to the hands of the state so that security can return."
Al-Ali said residents are also looking to the newly appointed local authorities to focus on basic services. "We hope the new governor will repair roads, streets and bridges, and provide electricity as well as fuel."
His sentiment was echoed by taxi driver Ahmed al-Faraj, who underlined daily hardships caused by damaged infrastructure.
"The most important thing is security, and that we live under one state and one flag," al-Faraj said. "There is no good road left in Raqqa. We need road repairs and reconstruction so people can work and live normally again."
On Tuesday, the Syrian interim government declared a four-day ceasefire to support talks with the SDF over security arrangements and possible military integration.
For many, the ceasefire is seen as a necessary step to protect civilians after years of bloodshed. "To spare the blood of citizens and protect the country, we support the truce," said Hamza, another resident. "But accountability is also necessary for anyone who harmed the Syrian people, whether Arab or Kurdish."
Meanwhile, others speak cautiously of a better future. "We support these decisions and we are always with peace," said Mohammad Aboud al-Assali, a resident of Raqqa. "We hope for a bright future for the city. Enough wars, enough conflicts, enough injustice. We want schools rebuilt, drugs and corruption fought, and a new generation raised on progress, not violence."
Despite some improvement in electricity supply, residents say public services remain largely absent, and fears of renewed fighting linger. Those fears were reinforced earlier this month when key bridges over the Euphrates River, the al-Mansour and al-Rashid bridges, were destroyed, severely disrupting transportation and cutting the city in two.
The explosions paralyzed movement across the river and triggered a full water outage after pipelines running along the bridges were damaged. Many residents have since been forced to cross on foot over rubble, a risky journey for the elderly, women and children, especially during harsh winter conditions.
Local authorities say emergency repairs have begun since government forces entered the city earlier this month. According to a Raqqa City Council official, partial filling of damaged sections is underway to allow limited humanitarian crossings, while preparations are being made for full rehabilitation once heavy engineering equipment arrives.
The bridges, both vital and symbolic, hold a special place in Raqqa's collective memory. The al-Mansour Bridge and the al-Rashid Bridge have long served as main routes connecting the city's southern and western countryside. Their destruction has underscored the scale of the challenges facing a city still recovering from years of war.
As security forces continue demining operations and service teams assess urgent needs, residents say what Raqqa needs most is time, and peace.
"This city has endured more war than any other in the fight against the IS," al-Ali said. "What we need now is stability, so Raqqa can finally heal."
