Umayyad Square in Damascus hummed to the throngs of people brandishing “revolution” flags as Syria rang in the new year yesterday with hope following 13 years of civil war.
Gunshots rang out from Mount Qasioun overlooking the capital, where hundreds of people gazed up at fireworks.
It was the first new year’s celebration without an al-Assad in power for more than 50 years after the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad last month.
Photo: AFP
“Long live Syria, Assad has fallen,” shouted some children.
“We did not expect such a miracle to happen, today the Syrians have found their smile again,” Layane el Hijazi, a 22-year-old agricultural engineering student, told reporters from Umayyad Square. “We were able to obtain our rights, we can now talk. I am letting off steam these last three weeks and tonight by bringing out everything I had buried.”
The green, white and black “revolution” flag with its three red stars was all over the capital.
Such a sight — the symbol of a Syrian uprising against the al-Assad dynasty’s rule — was unthinkable a month ago.
“Whatever happens, it will be better than before,” said Imane Zeidane, 46, a cartoonist, who came to Umayyad Square with her husband and their daughter.
“I am starting the new year with serenity and optimism,” she said, adding that she has “confidence” in the new government under de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia launched a humanitarian air bridge to Syria, delivering food, shelter and medical supplies, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.
The air bridge, established by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center aims to “alleviate the effects of the difficult conditions currently facing the Syrian people,” the news agency reported.
Others, including the EU and Ukraine, have also announced aid for Syria, where the UN said seven out of 10 people need support.
Riyadh’s air bridge would “be followed by another land bridge in the coming days,” said Abdullah al-Rabeeah, the head of the center.
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