For the first time since the fall of the Assad regime, Syrians across the country took to the streets Saturday to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the Syrian revolution, marking a historic moment in the nation’s transition. In cities long silenced by oppression, public squares overflowed with crowds waving revolutionary flags, chanting for freedom, and honoring the sacrifices of those who fought for Syria’s liberation.
A Victory Long in the Making
The anniversary comes just months after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8, 2024, when revolutionary forces seized control of Damascus, ending 53 years of Assad family rule. The newly formed government, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, has since worked to dismantle the remnants of the previous regime, including the dissolution of the Baath Party and the drafting of a new constitution.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani reflected on the revolution’s long road in a statement posted on X, declaring, “We will remain indebted to the first cry of freedom that erupted in Daraa, the cradle of the Syrian revolution, and spread to all cities. We will continue working until all Syrians, of every background, live in freedom and dignity.”
Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra echoed these sentiments, recalling the suffering endured over the past 14 years. “Syrians bore the consequences of killing, displacement, and detention until the great victory came,” he said.
Cities Reclaim Public Spaces for Celebration
In Damascus, helicopters that once rained bombs on free Syrians now dropped flowers over Umayyad Square, where thousands later gathered for a nighttime celebration. The Damascus governorate announced extended festivities, inviting the public to join commemorations under the evening sky.
Aleppo’s Saadallah al-Jabri Square, once a symbol of the Assad regime’s repression, was filled with celebrants chanting, “We came to Saadallah Square, I swear,” a phrase first shouted by demonstrators in the revolution’s early days when the area was heavily controlled by Assad’s forces. Revolutionary activist Ismail al-Raj stood in the square, reflecting on the moment. “Thank God, we have fulfilled the oath we took 14 years ago,” he said.
Other major cities, including Idlib, Homs, Hama, and Latakia, also saw mass celebrations, with people taking to the streets singing revolutionary anthems and waving banners of unity and resistance.
A demonstration in Suwayda on Saturday reflected mixed sentiments, with participants both celebrating the revolution’s success and voicing concerns about the current government. Protesters held banners denouncing tyranny in all its forms and calling for a Syria free from foreign influence.
A New Era for Syria
For many, this anniversary represents more than just a symbolic celebration—it is a turning point. After years of displacement, exiled Syrians have begun returning to their homeland. Yahya Sayed Issa, who fled to Germany a decade ago, described his emotions upon stepping back onto Syrian soil. “I had lost hope of ever returning. But now, I stand here in Idlib, among my people, celebrating not just an anniversary, but a victory we once thought impossible.”
