Cautious but happy to be free to roam once again, the people of Damascus ventured out of their homes on Tuesday, Dec. 11, shopping and sitting in cafes, two days after the Syrian capital fell to a coalition of opposition forces. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
The military and police of Bashar al-Assad's now-toppled regime are replaced now with armed men in fatigues and a different allegiance. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
Both smiling, a little girl and a rebel fighter shake hands as he rests on a corner in a city that now has a very different attitude towards those who patrol the streets. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
Portraits of Bashar al-Assad have been torn down, and the green, white and black flag of the revolution is now flying, replacing the red, white and black Syrian banner adopted under the reign of Hafez al-Assad. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
A flag that people no longer hesitate to brandish freely in the streets. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
Streets that are full of life despite the dark shadow still cast by over 50 years of oppressive and deadly rule. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
(Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)