Sun Dec 08 13:19:51 UTC 2024: ## Assad’s Fall Sparks Joyous Celebrations Among Syrian Refugees in Istanbul

**Istanbul, Turkey** – Scenes of jubilation erupted among Istanbul’s large Syrian community on Sunday following reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime had fallen after a swift offensive by Islamist-led rebels. Hundreds gathered outside the Fatih Mosque, one of the central gathering points for the city’s 500,000-strong Syrian population, to celebrate the end of Assad’s five-decade rule.

The offensive, launched on November 27th, saw Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied factions seize control of major cities including Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and ultimately, Damascus. The news prompted overwhelming joy among the refugees, many of whom fled Syria’s civil war since 2011.

“I didn’t expect it to happen in my lifetime,” exclaimed Mohamad Cuma, a student from Aleppo who arrived in Turkey three years ago. “This is a huge victory for us.” Similar sentiments were echoed by others, with Sawsan al-Ahmad describing the feeling as being “born again.” Al-Ahmad, who experienced the siege of Homs, expressed her hope to return home with her son.

The celebrations were marked by chants of “Allahu akhbar” (God is greatest), waving of Syrian opposition flags, and calls for Assad’s execution. A portrait of Abdel-Basset al-Sarout, a former Syrian football player turned rebel fighter killed in 2019, was also held aloft.

Many refugees shared harrowing personal stories of suffering under Assad’s rule, expressing relief and hope for the future. Ibrahim al-Mohamed, a refugee living in Turkey, recounted how his son was left disabled due to the war. Others expressed a desire for Assad to face justice, with some calling for his decapitation. However, Cuma stated that he simply wanted Assad gone, regardless of his fate.

The reported regime change has already impacted the plans of some refugees. Cuma, a civil engineering student, stated that he is now considering foregoing his planned master’s degree in the UK to contribute to Syria’s reconstruction. He, along with others, expressed hope for a unified Syria and the return of many Syrian refugees from Turkey.

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