The sudden collapse of the Assad regime has triggered a surge of emotional responses. Images and videos of celebrating citizens and rebels in Syria are spreading globally.
Statues of the dictator and his father are being toppled. Celebrations are also occurring abroad, including in the Netherlands.
In Syrian cities, prisoners are being released en masse. Rebels claim only political prisoners are freed, but this is unverified.
It remains uncertain if the rebel group HTS will honor its promises of moderation and power-sharing. One released prisoner expressed disbelief at their survival, stating in a video that they should have been executed moments ago.
Under Assad’s regime, torture and executions were rampant. In 2014, thousands of photos of tortured and killed detainees were published.
Many regime opponents remain missing. From Latakia to Kamishli and Suweida, people gather to celebrate the regime’s end.
Statues of Bashar and his father Hafez, who ruled for over sixty years combined, are being dragged through the streets. Not all Syrians are celebrating, with some worried about the future.
There are fears among Alawites, Assad’s supporting minority, and some Christians have fled Aleppo upon HTS’s takeover. Originally linked to al-Qaeda, HTS now seeks to appear more moderate and calls for all groups to join the uprising.
In the Netherlands, reactions are emotional too. Akram Aljnidi from the Free Syrians Foundation expressed relief after a long wait.
Celebrations in Utrecht and Zwolle see Syrians waving flags. Rami Masri, a Syrian who fled to the Netherlands ten years ago, spoke of his joy and contact with his happy parents in Damascus.
Millions of Syrians have fled the war. Many in Turkey express a desire to return, as reported by NOS correspondent Mitra Nazar in Istanbul.
Source: NOS