Celebrations Erupt in Syria as Assad Regime Collapses

Amid joyous celebrations, Syrians celebrate freedom from the Assad regime, while still facing the stark reality of loss and mourning for missing loved ones.

Thousands of Syrians flooded the streets of Damascus and other cities this past weekend, reveling in the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government. The atmosphere was electric, especially in Umayyad Square, where festivities ranged from prayer services at the historic Umayyad Mosque to energetic rallies led by Islamist rebels. The crowd was filled with hopeful voices expressing their elation over what some are calling a well-deserved victory.

Rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, had encouraged the populace to gather and celebrate this “blessed revolution.” The regime's rapid downfall came to a head when Assad sought refuge in Russia just days ago, shedding the long-held control of his family's dynasty.

In Aleppo, another city pivotal in the revolution, crowds danced to the sounds of celebratory music, united under the banner of the Syrian opposition. Amid the jubilation, many waved opposition flags and shouted revolutionary anthems. Some combat-ready members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) mingled with civilians, capturing the festive yet tense atmosphere by sharing poetry and exchanging smiles.

Participants like university student Sara al-Zobi expressed their hope for a brighter future, stating, "We are gathering because we're happy Syria has been freed." Another celebrant, Nour Thi al-Ghina, added, "We’re happy to have been liberated from the prison in which we lived."

However, the triumph was shadowed by deep sorrow, as families sought closure for those who disappeared over the last decade under the Assad regime's notorious reach. In a distraught scene at a mortuary in central Damascus, many held photographs of their loved ones, searching for answers among the unclaimed bodies. Reports from forensic experts revealed severe malnourishment and signs of torture on the corpses retrieved from Saydnaya prison, a facility condemned as a 'human slaughterhouse.'

As the celebrations continued outside, the oppressive remnants of the regime lingered in various sites across the city. Many locations previously used for detention and torture stood eerily close to everyday Syrian life, their histories as harrowing as the current jubilation was exhilarating. Rows of cells and cabinets filled with documents testifying to the regime's brutal tactics painted a stark picture of the complexity of the Syrian struggle for freedom.