Journalism of Courage
Thousands of Syrians gathered in Damascus and other cities across the country on Friday to celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, ending five decades of rule by his family. (AP photo)
In the capital, crowds assembled at the Umayyad Mosque for prayers before joining jubilant victory rallies called by rebel leaders. (AP photo)
Rebel figure Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, urged citizens to take to the streets and celebrate the “victory of the blessed revolution.” (AP photo)
In Damascus’s Umayyad Square, flags of the opposition waved as revolutionary songs and chants filled the air, creating a festive atmosphere. (AP photo)
Members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), wearing combat gear, joined the celebrations, reciting poetry and mingling with the crowds. (AP photo)
Amid the celebrations, grieving families searched for missing loved ones in a mortuary in Damascus, where bodies transferred from Saydnaya prison were laid out. (AP photo)
The collapse of Assad’s government also exposed the vast network of intelligence offices that once terrorised Syrians. (AP photo)
