DAMASCUS, Syria – On Saturday, thousands of Syrians took to the streets and public squares to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the onset of the country’s civil war, marking the first celebration since the ousting of President Bashar Assad. The demonstrations were held in significant locations such as the capital, Damascus, the northern city of Aleppo, and Idlib, where rebel forces initiated their recent offensive in November.
Crowds actively waved Syrian flags and chanted in jubilation over the rebel victory, which concluded the Assad family’s 54-year rule. A striking poster displayed at Damascus' Umayyad Square read, “15/3/2025, same date but we are now victorious,” while helicopter gunships above released flowers onto the gathered crowds. This gesture was a stark contrast to the previous use of helicopters to drop barrel bombs targeting opposition-held areas, signaling a newfound approach of hope and peace.
Messages accompanying the dropped flowers declared, “Today, helicopters are gifting you hope instead of pain, peace instead of fear,” reflecting the sentiments of the new authorities. Participants expressed their elation, with Yaman al-Ali sharing his joy for the victory of “the revolution” he has supported since 2011. He stated, “My feeling, of course, is incredibly, incredibly, incredibly great. First, because we have overthrown Bashar Assad. Of course, we are demanding his execution, not just his overthrow.”
Another attendee, Lamyaa al-Doueish, expressed her delight by stating, “Today, by the grace of God, we have come to express our joy in victory. This is the first year, after 14 years, that God has blessed us with victory.” The civil war in Syria began as part of the 2011 Arab Spring uprising against authoritarian regimes but quickly devolved into a brutal conflict after Assad used force to suppress initially peaceful protests. The aftermath has been catastrophic, with around half a million casualties and over 5 million Syrians seeking refuge abroad.
Noteworthy developments in the ongoing conflict include a ground offensive launched in November, primarily by the Islamist group Islamic Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which rapidly captured Syria’s four largest cities: Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and ultimately Damascus by December 8. This marked the end of the Assad family’s brutal regime, with Assad fleeing to Russia, his principal ally.
Despite the fall of Assad, the interim authorities, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, have faced immense challenges. Recently, clashes erupted between Assad loyalists and the new rulers, resulting in approximately 1,000 fatalities, predominantly from Assad’s Alawite minority community. In a move toward unity, the interim government signed a deal with the Kurdish-led authority in the northeast, shortly before presenting a temporary constitution that promises to uphold the rights of all Syrians during a transition phase that will last five years.
Even after Assad’s removal, most Syrians continue to endure poverty. Syrian officials and neighboring nations have urged Western countries to lift sanctions that have been in place for over a decade. However, U.S. and European leaders remain wary of easing these restrictions without a clear, democratic political transition that respects the rights of minorities and civil society within Syria. Coinciding with these struggles are pressing needs for financial support for reconstruction following years of conflict.
Tragically, amid the celebratory atmosphere, a separate incident in Latakia resulted in an explosion at a hardware store within a four-story building, leading to two fatalities and seven injuries. The cause of the explosion remains uncertain, and search operations are ongoing for any potential victims.
