Syria’s liberation marks a new dawn after decades of darkness

The fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime marks the end of 54 years of brutal oppression under the Assad family. For millions of Syrians, the liberation of Damascus is not just a military victory but the dawn of a new era, one filled with hope, freedom and justice. This historic moment has inspired celebrations not only in Syria but also across the Muslim world, where the downfall of one of the region’s most notorious dictators has resonated deeply.

For over a decade, the Assad regime wielded violence as its primary tool of control, beginning with its vicious crackdown on peaceful protests in 2011. The price of resistance was steep: nearly 500,000 lives lost, cities reduced to rubble, and an unimaginable humanitarian crisis that displaced 14 million Syrians — half of the country’s population. Almost seven million fled the country entirely, creating one of the largest refugee crises of our time.

Assad’s reign was defined by atrocities that left deep scars on the Syrian people. The infamous Sednaya Prison, a symbol of the regime’s cruelty, housed thousands who were tortured, starved and executed. Amnesty International estimates that at least 13,000 people were hanged there between 2011 and 2016. Families lived in terror, knowing that a loved one taken to Sednaya might never return. Across Syria, at least 113,000 people were forcibly disappeared, vanishing into a grim void of state violence.

The suffering under Assad was not limited to the past 13 years. The shadow of the 1982 Hama massacre — when the regime slaughtered up to 40,000 civilians in a single uprising — still loomed over the nation. Chemical weapons, barrel bombs and mass starvation sieges became Assad’s hallmark during the Syrian revolution. His tools of war were designed not just to kill, but to instil a paralyzing fear in the hearts of millions.

But now, Syria is free. The toppling of Assad signifies more than just the end of his rule; it is the end of an era of tyranny that has defined the lives of multiple generations. As opposition forces open the doors of Syria’s prisons, families are being reunited after years of separation. The streets of Damascus and other cities are alive with jubilation, as Syrians embrace loved ones they thought they might never see again.

Read: The Syrians have been waiting for this day for decades

For Syrian refugees around the world, the prospect of returning home for the first time in years has reignited hope. In Lebanon, Syrians are celebrating en masse, dreaming of rebuilding their lives and their homeland. Their resilience, even in exile, has been a testament to the unyielding spirit of a people who refused to accept oppression as their destiny.

The fall of Assad is also a moment of reckoning for the global Muslim community. For years, the plight of Syrians under his rule served as a tragic symbol of oppression. Now, his defeat stands as a victory for those who have fought and prayed for justice. The liberation of Syria reminds us that no tyrant, no matter how entrenched, can escape accountability forever.

Yet, amid the celebrations, the challenges ahead are daunting. The remnants of Assad’s regime, the devastation of war, and the fractured state of Syrian society will take years, if not decades, to heal. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have urged the new governing forces to prioritise justice over retribution.

The future of Syria must be built on inclusivity, democracy and accountability. It is incumbent upon the opposition leaders now in power to chart a course that respects the dignity and rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation. Only by doing so can Syria emerge from the ashes of war as a nation united in victory.

For Syrians who I spoke to like Ahmed from Damascus, who dream of rebuilding their destroyed cities, and Zainab Hameed, who returned to her liberated hometown for the first time in years, the road ahead will be long. But it will also be filled with possibilities that were unimaginable under Assad’s rule.

Syria’s liberation is not just a victory for its people; it is a victory for humanity’s unrelenting quest for freedom. May this new chapter be one of justice, peace and prosperity for a nation that has suffered far too long. As Syrians take their first steps into a brighter future, the world must stand with them, ensuring that the promise of this historic moment is fulfilled.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.