In Syria, a country gripped by civil war since 2011 following the Arab Spring uprisings, rebel forces declared they had retaken the capital, forcing long-time leader Bashar al-Assad to flee the country to take refuge in Russia.
Damascus, Syria
In Damascus, Syria, a group of Syrians gathered around the head of a vandalized statue of Bashar al-Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, who recently fled the country when rebels took control.
Milan, Italy
Syrian refugees living in Milan, Italy, gathered in Piazza Duomo to celebrate this historic moment for Syria.
Utrecht, Netherlands
On December 8, Syrians gathered in Utrecht, the Netherlands, to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime.
New York, USA
Syrians living in New York, USA, gathered in Washington Square Park to celebrate the liberation of their country by rebel forces.
Masnaa, Lebanon
Syrians who fled the country because of the civil war flock to the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria to return home after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Duhok, Iraq
Syrian refugees living in the Domiz camp in Duhok, Iraq, gathered to celebrate the fall of Assad.
Berlin, Germany
On December 8, Syrian refugees gathered in Berlin, Germany, a country that has welcomed hundreds of thousands of Syrians since the start of the civil war. Some waved flags, while one participant dressed up as Santa Claus, to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.
Paris, France
Syrian refugees living in Paris, France, gathered in the Place de la République on Sunday to celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party rule.
Tripoli, Libya
Syrians living in Tripoli, Libya, gathered with the Syrian opposition’s “flag of revolution”.
Vienna, Austria
Syrian refugees living in Austria gathered in Vienna, in front of the Austrian Parliament, to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime’s control in Syria.
London, United Kingdom
Syrian refugees living in London, United Kingdom, gathered in Trafalgar Square to celebrate.
Ankara, Turkey
Syrians are seen in the streets of Ankara, Turkey, celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Helsinki, Finland
Many Syrian refugees and residents of Helsinki, Finland, gathered near the central train station to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime.
Hama, Syria
Residents of Hama take to the streets to show their support for the anti-regime armed groups that have taken control of central Hama, Syria.