Yesterday, following Friday prayers, tens of thousands of Syrians across multiple cities and provinces took to the streets in response to a call from President Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Ahmad al-Shara), commemorating the first anniversary of the "Deterrence of Aggression" military operation.
This offensive, launched by opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from Idlib into Aleppo on November 27, 2024, culminated in the rapid capture of key areas and the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024, after just 11 days.
Al-Sharaa, the HTS leader who assumed the presidency after the regime's collapse, described the event as a "historic victory" and urged national unity across ethnic and religious lines, emphasizing liberation from oppression.
Celebrations were widespread, with crowds in Damascus (including Umayyad Square), Homs, Aleppo, and other areas waving the Syrian revolution's flag (now the official one), chanting "God bless Syria," and expressing joy over freedom and unity.
Participants highlighted themes of rebuilding and defiance against external threats, including recent Israeli attacks, with state media broadcasting the events. Some gatherings included anti-Israel elements, such as burning flags, amid broader calls for territorial integrity.
