Wed Jan 01 19:06:25 UTC 2025: ## Damascus Rings in New Year Free From Assad’s Shadow for First Time in Half a Century
**DAMASCUS, SYRIA** – Thousands of Syrians, including Sarah Kassim, celebrated a New Year’s Eve unlike any other in Damascus. For the first time in 50 years, the festivities took place without the Assad regime in power, marking a historic moment for the nation. Ms. Kassim described the celebration as “full of freedom,” reflecting the widespread sense of hope and change felt across the city. The event represents a significant turning point after decades of authoritarian rule.
First Piper 