Sleepless in Syria: The Nation Reacts to Assad's Fall
A night of celebration and uncertainty grips Damascus and beyond as Syria’s long-time ruler is toppled.
Residents across Syria and the diaspora endured a sleepless night as news broke of the dramatic turn of events in Damascus. After hours of intense anticipation and reports of rebel forces closing in, the Syrian capital was declared “liberated” from Bashar al-Assad’s regime in the early hours of Sunday.
Unverified videos on social media captured scenes of jubilation: crowds cheering rebel fighters, emotional reunions as prisoners were freed from the infamous Saydnaya prison, and a palpable sense of long-awaited relief.
“No one slept last night, not in Syria, not abroad,” said Rania Kataf, who manages the Humans of Damascus Facebook page. “It feels like we’ve been underwater for 13 years and are finally coming up for air.”
While the prevailing mood was one of elation, Kataf admitted to having mixed emotions. For years, she refrained from expressing dissent, fearing the consequences of even minor acts of solidarity with the opposition. “Today, that fear is gone,” she said, describing the overwhelming sense of freedom.
Celebrations in the Capital
The heart of Damascus, Umayyad Square, became the epicenter of celebrations. The square, once synonymous with government power, turned into a scene of euphoric chaos.
“Gunfire echoed through the air as people danced, cried, and embraced,” recounted Danny Makki, a journalist who witnessed the historic moment. Some militia members described how they had been waiting years for this day, while others took up arms spontaneously as the rebels approached.
Makki noted that despite the joy, concerns lingered about maintaining order and avoiding clashes within opposition factions. “Security is everyone’s priority now,” he said.
A Mixed Response Across Syria
The excitement in Damascus was echoed in Deraa, a city in the south where civilian militias aligned with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham had already taken control. Yazan Al Amari, a phone shop owner, shared how he and friends spontaneously decided to travel to the capital to join the celebrations.
“At first, we couldn’t believe it was true,” he said. “But once it sank in, we packed into cars and started driving. People were crying, overwhelmed by the weight of it all.”
For Al Amari, the fall of the regime means a newfound freedom. “For years, I couldn’t leave my town or travel freely. Now, I can go anywhere,” he said.
However, not everyone is optimistic. A Syrian man living in London expressed deep fears for his family, members of the Eastern Orthodox Christian community living in Syria’s coastal regions. “There’s panic everywhere. People are afraid, and many are trying to flee the country,” he said, adding that border closures with Lebanon and Jordan are making escape nearly impossible.
His family, like many others, has packed their belongings, waiting for a safe opportunity to leave. “There’s fear mixed with the celebration. People cheer out of relief, but also out of fear of what might happen if they don’t.”
Uncertain Future
While many celebrate the end of Assad’s 13-year reign, questions loom over what comes next. The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which played a significant role in the offensive, has declared that Christian communities are safe under their control. Yet skepticism abounds.
“It’s hard to trust promises,” the London-based man remarked. “The rebel group is linked to al-Qaeda, and we have no idea what their governance will look like.”
For Syrians both at home and abroad, the fall of Assad represents the end of an era—but also the start of an uncertain chapter. Amid the celebrations, the nation waits anxiously to see whether the dream of freedom can endure or whether it will be overshadowed by new fears.
