On Sunday, after rebels took control of the capital and forced Bashar al-Assad Escape to an unknown destination. When the main opposition party announced that Damascus now had “no Bashar al-Assad,” people took to the streets to celebrate the regime’s fall.
Rebels announced their capture of the capital early Sunday morning, ousting President Assad and many of his loyalists, opening a new chapter in the 13-year civil war.
Many residents of Damascus and elsewhere in Syria took to the streets to dance and chant slogans such as “Freedom,” “It’s over,” “Assad out,” and “Long live Syria, down with Bashar al-Assad.” Rebels reportedly fired into the air in celebration and young people tore down posters of the Syrian president, whose territorial control collapsed amid the army’s week-long retreat.
People also gathered in Damascus’ central square to celebrate, chanting anti-Assad slogans and honking car horns.
The Associated Press quoted 29-year-old lawyer Omar Daher as saying: “My feelings are indescribable.”
“For years, he (Assad) and his father have made us live in fear, and I have lived in panic and fear. I just can’t believe it,” said Dah, whose father was killed by security forces. Killed, his brother was detained, his fate unknown. Assad, he said, “is a criminal, a tyrant and a dog.”
“His soul and the souls of the entire Assad family deserve to die,” Ghazal Sharif said. “This is the prayer of every oppressed person and God has answered it today”.
Earlier, the rebels took control of the strategic Syrian town of Homs, which was seen as a signal that the capital was within reach. The fall of Homs became a powerful symbol of the rebel movement’s dramatic comeback in the 13-year conflict. Years ago, much of Homs was devastated by a brutal siege between rebels and the army.
Similar scenes of celebration unfolded on Wednesday after rebels took control of Syria’s fourth-largest city, Hama. A huge statue of Hafez al-Assad, the former Syrian dictator and father of current President Bashar al-Assad, was toppled as crowds cheered loudly and fired shots in the air in celebration.
Also read: Rebels topple statue of Assad’s father in rebel-held Hama
Agence France-Presse quoted an eyewitness as saying “dozens of protesters” were seen destroying the monument, which has long been a symbol of Assad’s family rule.
The fall of Hama marks a major milestone in the rebel offensive, which has seen them seize major cities, including Aleppo, and advance rapidly across the country. Just days ago, a statue of Bashar al-Assad’s late brother Basel was similarly destroyed in Aleppo.
However, syrian prime minister In a speech posted on Facebook shortly after rebels claimed to have entered Damascus, Mohammad Ghazi Jalali said he was ready to “cooperate” with any leader elected by the people. He also appealed to the public not to damage public facilities.
