Thousands gather across Syria to celebrate fall of Assad regime
People across Syria have been celebrating the fall of the Assad regime on the first Friday since Bashar al Assad fled the country.
Thousands of people gathered after Friday prayers in the center of the capital, Damascus, as well as in Homs, Aleppo and Hama, cities that fell to the opposition forces over the past two weeks.
Friday is a holy day for Muslims, often marked by communal worship, as well as protests and celebrations following the noon prayer.
There were also celebrations in Suwayda in the south of Syria, and in Idlib in the north, from where the campaign to oust Assad began in late November.
The leader of the forces that overthrew the regime, Mohammad al Jolani, issued a video statement earlier Friday, saying: “I would like to congratulate the great Syrian people on the victory of the blessed revolution. I call upon them to take to the squares and express their joy over this achievement, but without firing bullets or causing fear among the people.”
Jolani, who is also referred to by his real name, Ahmad al Sharaa, added: “Afterward, let us turn our efforts toward rebuilding this country. As we have said from the beginning: Victorious with the help of God.”
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