Celebrations of one-year anniversary of Assad's fall spread in Tripoli | LIVE

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Celebrations across Lebanon, one year on from the fall of the Syrian regime

Celebrations took place in the towns of Haret Naameh (Chouf) and Khalde (Aley), where members of Sunni Arab tribes marched through the streets, Syrian flags in hand, on foot or in cars, to the sound of drums and horns, to commemorate the fall of the "tyrant of the century," reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon. Some roads were briefly blocked.

Similar scenes were observed in other Sunni-majority areas, in Saida, Ketermaya and the Beirut neighborhood of Mazraa, where motorcyclists joined the processions of cars with sirens blaring on Monday evening.

For more on the celebrations that spread across Lebanon, read Lyana Alameddine's report here.

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Geagea congratulates Syrians on 'the reconquest of freedom'

The head of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, congratulated the Syrian people, government, and president in a message on his X account, on the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, for "the reconquest of freedom and the commitment to building a new Syria, completely different from that of the last 50 years."

Al-Jamaa al-Islamiyya congratulates Syrian people and government

Al-Jamaa al-Islamiyya, a Lebanese Sunni Islamist political party, congratulated the Syrian people and government on the anniversary of the revolution's victory.

The group stated in a statement that "a new, prosperous, stable, dynamic, and united Syria will bring prosperity, stability and security to Lebanon and its people."

It added that "the ties between the two countries, based on geography and social relations, call for strengthened cooperation in various fields within the framework defined and guaranteed by the constitutions of both states."

"We wish Syria, under its new leadership, all good fortune and prosperity, that its people enjoy security and safety, that it becomes a refuge for all the oppressed and the free, and that all projects of hegemony and division crumble upon its unshakeable foundation," the statement concluded.

Ikram, from Ghouta, came to 'how victory to our martyrs'

(Credit: Stéphanie Khouri/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Ikram is from Ghouta, in southwestern Syria. She lived through the siege "without water, without electricity, without food" imposed by the former regime, before being forcibly relocated by bus to Idlib.

She returned to Damascus a year ago, on the second day after Assad's fall. She told L'Orient-Le Jour that she lost her father and all her brothers during the war. Today, she says she has "come to show our martyrs the victory."

'We came to take our revenge on Ba'athist regime'

(Credit: Stéphanie Khouri/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Abu Mohammad al-Shami arrived from Homs today for the celebrations of "joy and new leadership."

"We have come to take our revenge on the Ba'athist regime that slaughtered our children. Today, my heart is light, my mind is at peace. Damascus is ours, death to Bashar and his father," he declared, referring to the ousted dictator, Bashar al-Assad, and his father and predecessor, Hafez.

Man arrested in Raqqa for protesting against SDF's ban on celebrations

(Credit: Photo circulating on social media of Ahmad al-Bouch, a protester arrested in Raqqa according to local media)

Witnesses filmed the arrest of a man in the central square of Raqqa, in central Syria, after he held up a sign criticizing the Kurdish autonomous administration's decision to ban gatherings to celebrate the anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime.

"Hey SDF, it's our right to celebrate," read the sign held by the protester, who was detained for his gesture by Kurdish security forces, whose headquarters are located in Raqqa.

Despite an agreement in principle between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the armed wing of the Kurdish administration, regarding their integration into the new Syrian state apparatus, regular incidents have occurred over the past year between the armed forces of the two sides, particularly along the banks of the Euphrates River in the Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor regions.

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?Alawites on Syrian coast spending one-year anniversary under tight surveillance

Understand further here how a community once tied to Assad now lives under heavy security, quiet anxiety and an uncertain future.

Gathering organized in Marj, Bekaa Valley, for anniversary of 'victory of Syrian people over the tyrant'

(Credit: Sarah Abdallah)

A rally was also held in Marj, in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, to celebrate the first anniversary of the "victory of the Syrian people over the tyrant and his allies," reports our local correspondent.

Protest MP Yassin Yassin was also present, along with a crowd of locals waving Lebanese and Syrian flags.

During speeches, a local sheikh, Khaled Chahine, declared that the liberation of "the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is a prelude to the liberation of the al-Aqsa Mosque" in Jerusalem.

Lebanese from Tripoli, Akkar participating in Tripoli festivities

Amidst the ever-growing crowd in Tripoli, a small group of Lebanese students said they had skipped classes to join the celebration.

“They’ve been living through the war for 14 years. We are two different countries, but we all live together; we suffered with them. In my family, we grew up with stories of the suffering endured during the Syrian occupation,” says Hazar, 25, from Halba in Akkar.

“We are one family; most of my friends are Syrian. Some Lebanese mistreated them. We apologize on behalf of the Lebanese who lacked principles,” continues her friend Dalal, a resident of Batroun.

“Ahmad al-Sharaa gave hope back to both Syrians and Lebanese. He is a leader who saved his people ... We have Sheikh Saad [Hariri], he is our leader, until his death. But if I had to choose, I would say both, because they are both Sunni."

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?Who is Ahmad al-Sharaa? Closer look at his history here

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Syrians gather on Tripoli’s al-Nour Square

(Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient-Le Jour)

On al-Nour Square, in the center of Tripoli, many Syrian refugees joined the dozens of people symbolically celebrating the anniversary of Assad’s fall.

“This day is sacred — the most beautiful of our lives. Bashar, that animal, has fallen,” says Mohammad, 40, from Hassakeh in northeastern Syria, who arrived in Lebanon in 2013.

“Tripoli is a part of us; it’s our second country. The people of Tripoli are even happier than the Syrians, because they too suffered under the Assad regime, just like we did,” he continues.

“Tripoli and Syria are one,” agrees Mouhanad, 21, who explains that he has had to delay returning to Syria because reconstruction is moving so slowly.

“We came back to Tripoli three months ago because our house is in ruins and there is very little work. My family is here — I have two children — we hope to go home soon,” adds the young man from Idlib.

Fireworks and anticipation on Damascus’s Umayyad Square

(Credit: Stéphanie Khouri/L'Orient-Le Jour)

At Umayyad Square in Damascus, fireworks light up the sky. Syrians await the major speech that Ahmad al-Sharaa is scheduled to deliver at 6 p.m., which will be broadcast live on a large screen set up on the square.

Testimony from Damascus: 'Everything isn’t perfect, but we are moving toward improvement'

At Umayyad Square, in Damascus, Bilal says that “it is an immense joy to be here today.”

“It’s the first time I feel free to celebrate. It should always have been like this — we are happy, but this should be the norm,” he says.

Bilal left Syria for Libya in 2012 before returning less than a year ago, affirms that “life here is better, everything is much better. Everything isn’t perfect, but we are moving toward improvement.”

He also praises the “great symbol” represented for him by this square, which “has a history.”

(Re)read Soulayma Mardam Bey’s analysis on the “[anachronistic] comeback of the Umayyads” in the new Syria. 👉 Here.

Boycott in Alawite neighborhoods of Latakia

In Latakia, on the Syrian coast, artillery shells were also fired into the air as a celebration, while Alawite neighborhoods observed a day of strike at the call of the Alawite spiritual leader, Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal.

Festive parades in Deir ez-Zor and areas controlled by Kurdish administration

Despite the ban on gatherings announced by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the armed wing of the Kurdish autonomous administration in northeastern Syria, festive gatherings were observed in several areas still under its control.

These took place notably in the Deir ez-Zor region, as well as in the town of Suweidan, where residents paraded with Syrian flags to the sound of moped horns, according to images broadcast by The Syrian Observer.

In Deir ez-Zor, which is jointly administered by the SDF and the Syrian Ministry of Defense, soldiers from the Syrian forces, including those from the Shahin Brigades, a unit specializing in the use of drones, also paraded through the city streets.

Tripoli celebrate first anniversary of fall of Assad regime

(Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Residents of Tripoli celebrate the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime in the northern capital, Dec. 8, 2025.

?️Dozens of people gather in Tripoli, Lebanon to celebrate one year anniversary of fall of Assad regime

Lebanese woman from Tripoli believes Sharaa 'showing he loves his country, wants to build it'

Daria Abdallah, a 38-year-old Lebanese woman married to a Syrian, says she "came to celebrate with our Syrian brothers." To her, the day the regime fell was "a sublime day for all Muslims." She adds that Sharaa "is showing that he loves his country and wants to build it up."

Scenes of jubilation in Tripoli to celebrate first anniversary of the fall of Assad regime

In Lebanon, dozens of people gathered in the center of Tripoli, a major city in the North, to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime, reports our journalist Lyana Alameddine.

Celebrations had already been held on Sunday evening in the city's streets.

Samira, originally from Aleppo, came to Tripoli with her four children. She explained that she has been in Lebanon since 2014 and is still unable to return to Syria due to an immigration issue.

To her, Oct. 8, 2024, was "the happiest day in Syria's history." She emphasized that "nothing can heal the wounds" inflicted by the Assad regime, but that President Ahmad al-Sharaa "brought joy to everyone, not just in Syria."

Syrian forces military parade through streets of Damascus

Syrian soldiers marching during celebrations of Syria's liberation, Dec. 8, 2025. (Credit: Téa Ziadé/L'Orient-Le Jour)

The continuation of the celebrations in the capital was marked by a large parade of the new Syrian army on one of the city's main thoroughfares.

Tanks, helicopters, pickup trucks, motorcycles, and other military vehicles drove along the highway leading to Umayyad Square, while armed and hooded soldiers from infantry battalions marched in close formation.

"We are the soldiers of the land of freedom. This is our land," they chanted, to the cheers of spectators shouting "God is great" as each unit passed.

Helicopters also dropped leaflets bearing the inscription: "Victory is an obligation owed to the martyrs and must be renewed every year."

Celebrations banned in areas controlled by Kurdish administration, calls for boycott in Alawite region

The festivities were not observed with the same fervor across all regions of the country, which remains plagued by sectarian tensions after 14 years of civil war.

The Kurdish autonomous administration in northeastern Syria, whose integration into the new Syrian state is the subject of recurring tensions, announced a ban on public gatherings and events on Sunday and Monday.

It justified this measure "due to the current security situation and the increased activity of terrorist cells," while many predominantly Sunni areas, such as Raqqa, remain under its control.

Meanwhile, the Alawite spiritual leader, Ghazal Ghazal, urged members of his community to boycott these celebrations in protest against the new authorities.

“Under the banner of freedom, they want to impose the celebration of replacing one oppressive regime with an even more oppressive one,” declared the president of the Alawite Islamic Council in Syria and Abroad in a video message posted on Facebook.

Thousands of people demonstrated in late November in several cities along the Syrian coast to denounce recent violence against Alawites, following the March massacres that killed nearly 1,700, mostly Alawites, in the region.

For more details, read our recent report from Latakia here.

Syrian fans celebrate national team's qualification for Arab Cup quarterfinals

Syrian fans celebrate their national team's qualification for the Arab Cup quarterfinals in a Damascus cafe on Dec. 7, 2025. (Credit: Louai Béchara/AFP)

On the eve of the anniversary of Assad's fall, Syrians also celebrated another historic event on Sunday evening: their national team's first-ever qualification for the quarterfinals of the Arab Cup, currently being held in Qatar.

Many fans gathered in cafes and restaurants in Damascus and elsewhere to support their team, which qualified thanks to a 0-0 draw against Palestine at Education City Stadium in Doha.

On the pitch, the Syrian and Palestinian players, who had also qualified for the next round, exchanged jerseys and celebrated this achievement together in front of 40,000 spectators.

This result "means a lot to Syrians, as it coincides with the Liberation Day celebrations," said Syrian striker Mahmoud al-Mawass after the match.

?️Military parachutes fly over Damascus in celebration

'No obstacle will stand in our way,' Sharaa declared from Umayyad Mosque

In his speech at the end of the main prayer held at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, dressed in military uniform, promised to rebuild Syria “in a dignified manner” and “worthy of its present and its past.”

“No one will stand in our way. No matter their strength or power, no obstacle will stop us. We will face all challenges, God willing,” he declared.

“From north to south and from east to west, we will rebuild a strong Syria, with a structure worthy of its present and its past, and we will rebuild it to support the oppressed and establish justice among the people,” he added.

?️Syrians in Damascus celebrate first anniversary of Assad's fall with chants

Testimony from Damascus: 'Liberation was most beautiful thing one could wish for'

(Credit: Téa Ziadé/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Arij al-Sayed came with her entire family to attend the festivities. “I am a child of the war. We lived through moments that no one can imagine. Liberation last year was the best thing we could have hoped for, after 14 years of injustice and suffering,” she told our journalist Emmanuel Haddad.

A year later, she says she is once again “proud to be Syrian.”

Syrian army paratroopers fly over Damascus

(Credit: Stéphanie Khouri/L'Orient-Le Jour)

While a military parade is expected on the road linking Mazzeh to the center of Damascus, army paratroopers, whose sails are emblazoned with Syrian flags and those of other countries, including Brazil and Lebanon, are already flying over the capital, under the gaze of passers-by and security forces, reports our journalist Stéphanie Khouri.

Saad Hariri Commemorates the “Fall of the Tyrant” Assad and the End of an “Era of Repression, Murder, and Corruption”

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri celebrated in a message on X the first anniversary of “the fall of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad,” and with his departure, the end of an “era of repression, murder and corruption… that destroyed Syria and stifled Lebanon.”

“Today, as he [Assad] lives isolated and humiliated, out of step with the times, the Syrian people are turning a new page toward a modern state and a productive economy, and Lebanon and Syria are moving closer to an opportunity to forge a strong relationship based on common interests, investment and the transition to an AI-driven economy,” Hariri added.

“This is a moment not to be missed for either nation.” "As for the one who caused the ruin, he has no place in the future," he stressed.

Testimony from Damascus: 'We hope Syria will regain place among nations'

(Credit: Téa Ziadé/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Among the crowd, Mohammad Ayman Baleh came with his family from Douma to attend the celebrations in the heart of the capital.

“My cousin is the first martyr of Douma. We came from all over Syria to celebrate the unity of our country and the fall of the despised dictator who sought to divide Syria. We now hope that it will regain its rightful place among the nations,” he told our reporter on the scene.

?Find our special series 'Syria, a year later' here

Exactly one year ago, Syria and the entire region experienced a historic day with the fall of the Assad regime, which had ruled the country for over 50 years.

Since then, L'Orient-Le Jour has sent more than a dozen journalists, photographers and videographers to Syria.

What is happening there is crucial for the region, and even more so for Lebanon. But the new Syria is still taking shape.

The country remains fragmented and devastated, and the break with several minority communities seems complete, following a year marked by numerous massacres, particularly against the Alawites and Druze.

Geopolitically, the situation remains unstable, largely due to Israeli intervention. Economically, the Gulf states have pledged billions, but only a few tens of millions have been invested in the past year.

To delve into all aspects of this new Syria, we are offering you a special series on the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime.

🔗 Access it here.

(Credit: Téa Ziadé/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Two women carrying the new Syrian flag inside the Umayyad Mosque, where a large prayer service was held this Monday morning in the presence of President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Sharaa delivers speech at Umayyad Mosque in Damascus

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa prayed at dawn this morning at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, dressed in his military uniform, on the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime and his rise to power.

A massive crowd was present in the mosque, according to our reporter on the scene, Emmanuel Haddad.

During his speech, he announced that he had received a piece of the Kaaba's veil as a gift from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to be placed in the mosque.

After the prayer, thousands of people headed towards the highway leading from Mezzeh to Umayyad Square to watch a military parade.

Festivities will then take place in the square throughout the day and into the evening.

First public gatherings organized before Dec. 8 to commemorate successive liberation of cities that preceded rebels' arrival in Damascus

Former Syrian rebels celebrate the first anniversary of Assad's fall in Jobar, a suburb of Damascus, on Dec. 7, 2025. (Credit: Téa Ziadé/L'Orient-Le Jour)

The first public gatherings were organized before Dec. 8 to commemorate the successive liberation of various cities that preceded the rebels' arrival in Damascus.

Launched from the Idlib pocket on Nov. 27 in the northwest of the country, the lightning offensive led by the now-dissolved Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Islamist rebel coalition first liberated Aleppo, Hama and Homs before entering the capital.

We are now launching our LIVE coverage of the region, particularly the one year anniversary of Assad's fall in Syria.

In this live broadcast, we'll cover the celebrations in Syria commemorating the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, which began on Sunday across the country, along with events in parts of Lebanon — a region marked by decades of Syrian army occupation from 1976 to 2005.

Our journalists are on the ground to bring you firsthand the festive atmosphere of this historic day for the new Syria, which has rejoined the international community after 14 years of civil war and a transition led by its new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa.