Syrian refugees celebrate fall of Assad across Turkey

Syrian refugees across Turkey celebrated the fall of the regime after Syrian rebels entered Damascus and declared Assad's ouster.

Sunday December 08 2024 06:11 pm

Duvar English

Syrian rebels declared President Bashar al-Assad's ouster after seizing control of Damascus on Dec. 8, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war.

Syrian refugees across Turkey celebrated the fall of the Assad regime.

In Istanbul, a group of people celebrated the news by shouting takbirs, an Arabic term for the phrase “God is the greatest,” at Fatih Mosque.

In the Haliliye district of the southeastern Şanlıurfa province, they gathered at Rabia Square and celebrated the fall of Assad with takbirs and fireworks.

Many Syrians living in Kilis also took to the streets with their vehicles and formed a convoy. Some of them celebrated at Cumhuriyet Square with flags.

Syrians celebrated in the southeastern Gaziantep province as well at the Şahinbey Millet Mosque.

In the southern Hatay province, some Syrians gathered at Cilvegözü Customs Gate.

Mahmud Esma, who settled in Hatay six years ago due to the civil war, said that Syria is now free and he came to the customs gate to return to his homeland. “I especially call out to Syrian youth. We are free now, everyone should return to their homeland.”

Turkey hosts around three million Syrian refugees.