Syria Marks First Anniversary of Al-Assad’s Fall

Syria celebrated the first anniversary of the fall of the al-Assad rule with official ceremonies, promises of national rebuilding, and widespread public festivities, which were heightened by a national football achievement.

President al-Sharaa marked the anniversary by performing the dawn prayer at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, wearing a military uniform. In a post-prayer speech, he pledged to rebuild a strong Syria "befitting its present and its past," focusing on supporting the oppressed and establishing justice. He declared that no obstacle, regardless of power, would stand in the way of reconstruction efforts across the country.

The anniversary celebrations were boosted by the Syrian national team reaching the knockouts of the FIFA Arab Cup for the first time. This advancement was secured following a stalemate with Palestine in Qatar, which also saw Palestine advance to the quarterfinals.

Syrian striker Mahmoud al-Mawas stated that the result "means a lot to Syrians because it coincides with the Liberation Day celebrations." The achievement sparked celebrations among around 40,000 fans at Education City Stadium, and players from both teams exchanged jerseys and posed together. Crowds began gathering around Damascus’s Umayyad Square two days prior to the main anniversary. Celebrations involved fireworks and people waving Syria’s green, white, and black flag.

The atmosphere was underscored by the story of Abu Taj, 24, who returned to Syria after a decade in exile. He had fled his home in Aleppo due to fighting between the former regime and anti-Assad forces and spent time in Damascus, Beirut, and Saudi Arabia before moving back just over a week before the current celebrations.