Residents of Damascus prepare to celebrate the New Year in the Bab Touma neighborhood in the Syrian capital on Dec. 31, 2024.(Credit: Iva KOVIC-CHAHINE/OLJ)
A few hours before New Year's Eve, in Damascus, families strolled around the Umayyad Mosque square. Groups of young people also gathered there, under the watchful eyes of armed rebels from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) stationed at every street corner. For the first time in over half a century, the Syrian capital is celebrating the new year without the oppressive shadow of the Assad regime. Freed from the yoke of tyranny, the inhabitants of the Syrian capital embraced this newfound freedom, while keeping a cautious eye on an uncertain future.The place buzzes with street vendors and amateur photographers, looking to earn some pocket money. "Since the rebellion, anyone with a camera has taken to the public squares to work," says Rami*, in his twenties. "Before, you needed regime connections to do this, and on top of that, they would take...
A few hours before New Year's Eve, in Damascus, families strolled around the Umayyad Mosque square. Groups of young people also gathered there, under the watchful eyes of armed rebels from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) stationed at every street corner. For the first time in over half a century, the Syrian capital is celebrating the new year without the oppressive shadow of the Assad regime. Freed from the yoke of tyranny, the inhabitants of the Syrian capital embraced this newfound freedom, while keeping a cautious eye on an uncertain future.The place buzzes with street vendors and amateur photographers, looking to earn some pocket money. "Since the rebellion, anyone with a camera has taken to the public squares to work," says Rami*, in his twenties. "Before, you needed regime connections to do this, and on top of that, they would take...