Syrians celebrate Baath regime’s fall: Unity and joy spread across Türkiye, world
A little girl looks at the sky while standing in front of supporters and members of Syrian community as they celebrate the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, Istanbul, Türkiye, Dec. 8, 2024. (AA Photo)
Across Türkiye, Syrians celebrate the end of the Baath regime with jubilant gatherings, dances, and expressions of gratitude toward their host country.
Streets in several cities came alive with vibrant scenes of joy as participants expressed hope for rebuilding their homeland.
Celebrations in Turkish cities where Syrians celebrate hope, unity
In Istanbul, Syrians celebrated in Esenyurt, Fatih, and Umraniye. Waving the flags of Türkiye and the Syrian opposition, participants chanted slogans and shared sweets to mark the occasion.
Many attendees painted their faces with the colors of the opposition flag, while some carried banners reading, “Freedom for Syria.” At the Syrian Consulate in Istanbul, a group replaced the regime’s flag with symbols of the Syrian opposition.
Reyhan, who has lived in Türkiye for 12 years, described her joy: “We’ve waited for this day for so long. Soon, we’ll go back and rebuild.”
In Ankara, the streets of Altindag, home to one of the largest Syrian communities, were filled with parades and traditional dances.
Participants carried Syrian and Turkish flags, chanting, “Syria is free!” Mahmud, a Syrian who has spent over a decade in Türkiye, expressed his hopes: “It’s time to rebuild Syria and make it a safe homeland once again.”
Celebrations in Syrian communities also took place in the following Turkish cities:
- Bursa: Known for its historical importance and its sizable Syrian population, residents held parades and distributed sweets in parks and local squares
- Kilis: A city on the Türkiye-Syria border that has long been a refuge for Syrians saw gatherings of families celebrating with music and traditional food
- Sanliurfa: Famous for its cultural heritage and proximity to the Syrian border, the streets were filled with chants of freedom and flags symbolizing unity
- Zonguldak: On Türkiye’s Black Sea coast, Syrians celebrated with smaller gatherings, sharing desserts and coffee as gestures of hope and gratitude
In all these cities, Syrians celebrated with vehicle convoys, flags, and traditional desserts, embodying a shared sense of optimism for the future.
Worldwide celebrations by Syrians reflect global unity and solidarity
The celebrations extended beyond Türkiye, as Syrians celebrated around the world, uniting to express their shared joy and hope. In Europe, Syrians gathered in major cities, forming vibrant communities of hope:
- Paris, France: Demonstrators filled the streets near iconic landmarks, waving opposition flags and chanting for freedom
- Berlin, Germany: Syrians celebrated with marches through the city, emphasizing solidarity and their desire to rebuild Syria
- Amsterdam, Netherlands: In this culturally diverse city, Syrian communities held events to commemorate the milestone, combining music with speeches of hope.
- Utrecht, Netherlands: Syrians and Palestinians united to celebrate freedom movements globally, creating a unique atmosphere of cross-cultural solidarity.
Further celebrations took place in Syrian communities across globe:
- Madrid, Spain: Protesters replaced the Syrian regime’s flag at the embassy with the opposition flag, a symbolic act of defiance.
- Milan, Italy: Syrians gathered in the iconic Duomo Square, blending joy with a call for rebuilding their homeland.
- Vienna, Austria: Demonstrators expressed gratitude to Türkiye for its long-standing support while waving flags of both nations.
In North America and the United Kingdom, Syrians celebrated with similar enthusiasm:
- Trafalgar Square, London, UK: The central square was alive with celebrations, as participants shared traditional Syrian desserts like basbousa and kanafeh.
- New York, USA: Syrians organized a cultural event to celebrate their victory and discuss plans for rebuilding their country.
- Toronto, Canada: A similar atmosphere prevailed, with gatherings focused on community and hope for a brighter future.
Syrians share sweets as gesture of celebration, hope for future
Sharing sweets played a central role in the festivities, reflecting a deep-rooted cultural tradition among Muslims to mark joyous occasions. In Türkiye, Syrians celebrated by offering a variety of traditional desserts:
- Baklava: In Zonguldak, this iconic treat was shared alongside Arabic coffee, symbolizing the sweetness of freedom.
- Kanafeh and ma’amoul: In Bursa and Sanliurfa, these traditional Syrian desserts became symbols of hope and unity.
As Syrians celebrate across Türkiye and the globe, their shared joy reflects a collective dream of rebuilding Syria as a free and safe homeland.
For many, this celebration is not just a political milestone but a cultural moment that has united Syrians worldwide in a shared dream of rebuilding their homeland.
