The country marks one year since the overthrow of the al-Assad dynasty’s repressive 50-year rule.

Damascus, December 8, 2025 — Syrians across the country gathered on Monday to celebrate the first anniversary of the overthrow of the al-Assad family’s five-decade rule, a moment many described as the symbolic end of an era marked by conflict and repression.

Crowds waving Syrian flags lined the streets of Damascus as the Syrian army held a commemorative parade, marking one year since Bashar al-Assad was forced from power. The day carried both a sense of relief and a reminder of the enormous task of rebuilding a nation shattered by 14 years of war.

A Rapid Collapse That Surprised Even Rebels

Al-Assad’s fall in December 2024 came unexpectedly, even for the opposition groups leading the assault.

In late November that year, rebel forces in northwestern Syria — spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), then led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, now the interim president — launched an offensive to retake Aleppo from government control.

The campaign took an unforeseen turn when Syrian government forces collapsed rapidly, withdrawing first from Aleppo and then from Hama and Homs. The swift retreat opened the way to Damascus, where rebel forces entered the capital on December 8, 2024.

Bashar al-Assad was evacuated by Russian forces and has remained in Moscow since. Despite supporting Assad for years, Russia did not intervene militarily during the final offensive but has since maintained relations with Syria’s new leadership while keeping its coastal military bases operational.

A Nation Still Recovering From a Long War

The conflict that began in 2011 claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Nearly five million Syrians fled to neighbouring countries during the war.

According to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), about 1.2 million refugees and 1.9 million internally displaced people have returned home since Assad’s ouster. But the UN has warned that decreasing global funding for humanitarian programmes could hinder further returns.

Despite this, Syrian officials say the returning population is beginning to positively impact the country’s fragile economy. The central bank recently reported that the arrival of approximately 1.5 million refugees is contributing to early signs of economic recovery.

A Fragile Hope

While celebrations mark a milestone in Syria’s political transition, the country still faces deep divisions, economic strain, and the immense challenge of rebuilding institutions and communities devastated by more than a decade of war.

Yet, for many Syrians, the anniversary offers a rare moment of optimism — and a renewed hope for stability after years of turmoil.

Source: News Agencies