Syria marks one year since military operation toppled Assad regime

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has marked the first anniversary of the military offensive that precipitated the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime, calling on citizens to celebrate the occasion as a national liberation milestone. The commemoration recognizes the operation that fundamentally transformed Syria's political landscape after years of conflict.

Presidential Commemoration of Regime Change

In an official statement distributed through presidential social media channels, Sharaa characterized the anniversary as "the beginning of the struggle that liberated all of Syria" and encouraged public celebrations of what he described as a "historic victory." The president addressed the Syrian population directly, stating "Dear people of Syria, today we mark the anniversary of the great deterrence war in which the former regime, with all its oppressive structures, was overthrown and our country was freed from its chains."

Call for National Unity and Celebration

President Sharaa urged all Syrian societal segments, regardless of ethnic or religious background, to gather in public spaces to "demonstrate their commitment to the great struggle for freedom and show strong national unity." He specifically invited "all components of the Syrian people to take to the squares and streets to express the joy of this great victory and to demonstrate national solidarity, national unity, the territorial integrity of Syria, and the unity of the homeland." The president concluded with the declaration "Long live free Syria."

Historical Context of the Offensive

The commemorated military operation began with opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launching a significant offensive from Idlib into Aleppo province, then under Assad regime control. The surprise attack resulted in the rapid capture of Aleppo, Syria's largest city and commercial hub, ultimately triggering the collapse of the Assad government in December 2024. The operation represented a decisive turning point in Syria's prolonged conflict, ending the Assad family's decades-long political dominance.