Thousands of Syrians flooded the streets of Damascus on Monday, celebrating the fall of President Bashar al-Assad after five decades of his family’s rule.
Residents gathered at Umayyad Square in the capital, marking what many described as a long-awaited moment of liberation.
LEADERSHIP recalls that Assad fled to Russia on Sunday after an offensive led by the Islamist rebel coalition, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, bringing an abrupt end to his 14-year grip on power and opening a new chapter in Syria’s tumultuous history.
“It’s indescribable, we never thought this nightmare would end. We are reborn,” said Rim Ramadan, a 49-year-old civil servant with the finance ministry, speaking at the heart of the jubilant gathering.
“We were afraid for 55 years of speaking, even at home. We used to say the walls had ears,” she added, as celebratory car horns blared and gunfire echoed in the air. “We feel like we’re living a dream.”
The celebratory mood in Damascus followed a nighttime curfew imposed by rebel forces, now in control of the city. Fighters deployed across key locations ensured order as residents embraced their newfound freedom.
The fall of Assad’s regime came after a devastating 14-year civil war, triggered by his crackdown on democracy protests. The conflict claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced millions, with many fleeing Syria altogether.
Assad inherited power in 2000 from his father, Hafez al-Assad, who established a regime notorious for silencing dissent through imprisonment and executions.
Despite mass protests and armed rebellion, Assad maintained control through alliances with Russia and Iran.
However, on November 27, a coalition of rebel forces launched an offensive that rapidly dismantled the regime’s hold on power. Within days, the rebels seized control of major cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Daraa, and Homs, before advancing on Damascus.
As the rebels solidified their grip on the capital on Sunday, the collapse of Assad’s army and security forces became evident, bringing an end to decades of Baath Party rule in the country.
While celebrations continued, uncertainty loomed over what may come next for the war-torn nation. However, Syrians are for now savouring a long-awaited moment of hope and liberation.
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