Syrians are celebrating the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, with thousands gathering in Damascus and other cities for victory rallies.
The Islamist rebels, led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa, called for the celebrations, urging Syrians to “go to the streets to express their joy” and mark “the victory of the blessed revolution.”
In Damascus, people gathered at the iconic Umayyad Mosque for prayers before the rallies, which featured music, flags, and revolutionary songs. The mood was joyous, with some rebels even reading poetry praising the country.
“We are gathering because we’re happy Syria has been freed, we’re happy to have been liberated from the prison in which we lived,” said Nour Thi al-Ghina, a participant in the celebrations.
Sara al-Zobi, a university student living in Damascus but originally from Deraa, added, “Syrians had gathered to celebrate on Friday and would proceed to build the future ‘hand-in hand’.”
However, the celebrations are bittersweet, as many Syrians are still searching for loved ones who disappeared during the regime’s rule. Bereaved families have been visiting mortuaries, trying to locate their missing relatives among the bodies transferred from notorious prisons like Saydnaya.
“All of the bodies had clear signs of malnourishment, they were so skinny,” said Aslan Ibrahim, a forensic expert at the hospital.
The fall of the Assad regime marks a significant turning point in Syria’s history, ending a dynasty that ruled the country with an iron fist for over 50 years. As Syrians look to the future, they face significant challenges, including rebuilding their country and addressing the deep scars left by the civil war.
Source: BBC
