DAMASCUS:
On Saturday, Syrians came together to mark the 14th anniversary of their uprising, holding a public demonstration in Damascus for the first time since President Bashar al-Assad was removed from power.
The rally took place in Umayyad Square, a location that had been dominated by Assad’s supporters during his rule. This marked a significant moment, as it was the first such gathering in the capital following years of oppressive governance under Assad.
Activists encouraged citizens to organize similar protests in key cities like Homs, Idlib, and Hama, using the rallying cry “Syria is victorious.”
Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani commemorated the occasion in a post on X, stating, “We will always remember the first call for freedom that began in Daraa, the birthplace of the Syrian revolution, and expanded across the nation. We remain committed to honoring the immense sacrifices made by our people over the past 14 years.”
By the afternoon, Umayyad Square saw a gathering of dozens of people, with a noticeable and heavy security presence overseeing the event.
