In pictures: Syrians celebrate toppling of Assad regime

While the country's future remains uncertain under its new rulers, young and old have been coming together to celebrate the fall of Bashar al Assad after decades in power.

A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up in Damascus old city. Pic: Reuters

By Claire Gilbody Dickerson, news reporter

Friday 13 December 2024 22:36, UK

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Hundreds of thousands of Syrians have taken to the streets for "Victory Day" celebrations to mark the fall of Bashar al Assad's dictatorship.

Large crowds gathered across the country on Friday, including in the capital Damascus, the port city of Latakia and the city of Homs.

It came after the former president fled to Moscow last weekend when his regime collapsed in the face of a lightning rebel offensive.

Both young and old were seen coming together to mark the occasion by waving flags, cheering and dancing.

Read more:
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Assad: From doctor to dictator

While there has been jubilation across Syria all week, today's celebrations were heightened as they came on the first Friday prayers since the regime was ousted.

While there is also uncertainty about life in the country under its new rebel leaders, many are hoping for a brighter future.

The scenes of joy on Friday come after 13 long years of civil war, during which an estimated half a million people were killed.

A woman holds a dog as she takes part in celebrations. Pic: Reuters
Image: A dog in Damascus joins in the celebrations. Pic: Reuters
People celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus. Pic: Reuters
Image: A group of men wave flags in the capital. Pic: Reuters
Screengrabs from Stuart Ramsay VT from Homs on 13/12/2024
Image: Large crowds packed the streets of Homs
A woman holds up the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad. Pic: Reuters
Image: The celebrations continued into the night. Pic: Reuters
A man gestures the victory sign as he takes part in celebration. Pic: Reuters
Image: A man flashes a "V for Victory" gesture in Damascus. Pic: Reuters
Screengrabs from Stuart Ramsay VT from Homs on 13/12/2024
Image: Syrians in the western city of Homs
A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up in Damascus old city. Pic: Reuters
Image: A child waves a Syrian opposition flag in Damascus. Pic: Reuters
People react on the day of the first Friday prayers at the Umayyad Mosque, after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh.
Image: A man is lifted up as a group of men mark "Victory Day" at Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. Pic: Reuters
People celebrate after ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, during a gathering after Friday prayers in Latakia, Syria, December 13, 2024. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Image: Syrians took to the streets in the port city of Latakia following Friday prayers. Pic: Reuters
Umayyad Mosque on the first Friday prayers after members of the ruling Syrian body settle in to take control of the city, in Damascus
Image: Many brought children to the celebrations in Damascus amid hopes for a bright future in the country. Pic: Reuters
People celebrate after ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, during a gathering after Friday prayers in Latakia, Syria. Pic: Reuters
Image: A woman demonstrates her joy by waving flags in Latakia. Pic: Reuters

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