Jubilation erupted across Syria on Wednesday evening as Ahmed al-Sharaa was appointed the country’s Transitional President, marking a significant shift in the nation’s leadership.
In the capital, Damascus, thousands gathered at Umayyad Square, waving Syrian flags and chanting slogans in support of al-Sharaa while denouncing the ousted ruler, Bashar al-Assad.
“Hundreds of cars roamed the neighbourhoods of the capital, waving the Syrian flag in a joyful and celebratory atmosphere,” said Ziad Ali, who participated in a car parade.
Ali, a resident of Baramkeh, added, “Everyone in the neighbourhood exchanged congratulations on social media, and hundreds came out to Baramkeh Square to celebrate, performing dabke dances despite the cold weather.”
Similar scenes played out in Jdeidet Artouz, west of Damascus, where hundreds took to the streets following the announcement by the Military Operations Administration of al-Sharaa’s appointment.
Mustafa Abdullah, from Raqqa province, carried the Syrian flag while chanting, “Raise your head high, you’re a free Syrian, we’ll crush them, crush the Assad family.”
He urged the new president to focus on liberating Raqqa, Hasakah, and Deir ez-Zor, stating, “Celebrations are also underway in these areas, as they are part of Syria, and we will never accept their division.”
As night fell, Damascus streets emptied as citizens awaited al-Sharaa’s anticipated victory speech.
Judge Abdullah Saad, speaking from Aleppo, described the sweeping political changes—including the dissolution of the army, security agencies, and parliament, along with the suspension of the 2012 Constitution—as “natural outcomes of the revolutionary factions taking control of governance.”
“The celebrations currently sweeping all Syrian cities are a testament to the legitimacy given to Ahmed al-Sharaa,” Saad said. “This aligns with the decision of revolutionary faction leaders to appoint al-Sharaa as president, from whom we expect significant contributions to serve the country.”
With the transition underway, all eyes remain on al-Sharaa’s next moves as Syria embarks on a new chapter.
