Name: Syria marks one year since ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad
Uploaded: 2025-12-08T19:37:51.672Z
Duration: 2 min 6 s
Description: As celebrations kicked off marking the first anniversary of the ousting of former President Bashar Assad’s regime, Syrians are still struggling to heal after the dynasty’s repressive 50-year rule and a 14-year civil war.

As celebrations kicked off marking the first anniversary of the ousting of former President Bashar Assad’s regime, Syrians are still struggling to heal after the dynasty’s repressive 50-year rule and a 14-year civil war.

Damascus

Syrians across the country are marking the first anniversary of the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad with public celebrations, military parades, and expressions of joy. The anniversary comes as the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of 14 years of civil war, including security concerns, economic hardship, and the challenges faced by returning refugees.

The new government, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, faces the significant task of unifying a country divided along religious, sectarian, and ethnic lines. Many Syrians are calling for accountability for past abuses, while officials acknowledge that rebuilding trust and stability will require sustained effort and international support.

Syria marks one year since ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad

In cities across Syria, celebrations of freedom from Bashar al-Assad's iron-fisted rule. Jubilation in mosques, military parades and in public squares. One year ago, the fall of Bashar al-Assad was the most important day in the life of all Syrians, I believe. We are all happy. There is an atmosphere truly full of emotion, full of joy. Monday's anniversary of Assad's overthrow happens as the fractured nation struggles to find stability and recover from 14 years of civil war. There have been security concerns and post-conflict revenge killings. The cost of living is rising. And many of the more than one million Syrian refugees who have returned home are finding it harder than anticipated to rebuild their lives. At the beginning, I was happy to return. But now, I regret my decision because I can't find a job. I thought about working in agriculture. But we've had many years of drought here. On top of that, I don't have enough money to start my own business. Unifying the country is a huge challenge for the new government, led by former rebel commander President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The civil war divided Syrians across religious, sectarian and ethnic lines. The distrust runs deep. President Sharaa has called for unity. People still want accountability for the death of their loved ones at the hands of Assad's forces. Showing us the truth is what we want. They didn't hold any of the criminals accountable. A year ago until now, is it believable that they didn't even get the documents of these men? Assad may be gone and Syrians are slowly learning to live without constant fear. But for the government, undoing decades of suffering and rebuilding successfully is likely to require years of building trust and leaning on international support.

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