Thousands of Syrians took to the streets on Monday to pay tribute The first anniversary of the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime.
Assad fled the country after an Islamist-led attack a year ago.
The Syrian capital Damascus is hosting a military parade and a speech by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the attack that ousted Assad.
Al-Sharaa calls for unity
People gathered for morning prayers at the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, waving flags and chanting slogans in celebration of the anniversary.
Al-Shara was also at the mosque and after the prayers was asking people to unite to rebuild their country.
“The current stage requires uniting the efforts of all citizens to build a strong Syria, strengthen its stability, defend its sovereignty, and achieve a future commensurate with the sacrifices of its people,” Shara said.
The rebel-turned-president said reconstruction efforts would extend “from north to south and east to west”, adding that his government wanted to ensure justice and support vulnerable communities.
How is Syria after Assad?
Although the fall of Assad’s regime is a significant success in Syria, the country’s fragile transition faces challenges.
There have been several attacks on religious minorities in the past year, while Israel continues to attack Syrian areas.
Alawites, a religious minority to which the Assad family also belongs to a great extent Boycott of Monday’s ceremonies in protest against the “repressive” new authorities.
Kurdish authorities, who control parts of northeastern Syria, also banned public gatherings and events on Sunday and Monday, citing security concerns.
Edited by: Louis Olofse