Syrians mark revolution anniversary with roses, songs and tight security
Roses have filled the Syrian capital, Damascus, as people openly celebrated the anniversary of the revolution for the first time in 14 years after the toppling of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad late last year.
Civilians on Saturday were seen waving the Syrian flag and singing revolutionary songs amid tight security measures.
'People say these roses symbolise peace,' Al Jazeera's Resul Serdar said, reporting from Damascus. 'Imagine that for 14 years, helicopters in this country have been throwing barrel bombs on people, and now that is the time for peace and reconciliation, they are symbolically throwing roses.'
On March 15, 2011, unrest erupted across Deraa, Damascus and Aleppo as protesters demanded democratic reforms and the release of political prisoners as the Arab Spring reached Syria. Demonstrations were triggered by the arrest and torture of a group of teenage boys a few days earlier in the southwestern city of Deraa over graffiti denouncing al-Assad.
A violent crackdown and repression by the government followed. In July 2011, defectors from the military announced the formation of the Free Syrian Army, an opposition group aiming to overthrow the government, turning the revolt into a ruinous civil war. It ended with the fall of the regime after a lightning offensive by opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
elections in five years while tackling sectarian violence, Israeli bombing and land grabs, and an economic crisis.
As people were celebrating on Saturday, an explosion in the coastal city of Latakia killed at least three people and injured 12, the state news agency SANA reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group later said the blast was an accident resulting from a resident's attempt to dismantle unexploded ordnance in a building.
Latakia and Tartous governorates recently saw the heaviest fighting since the fall of al-Assad. The Syrian government said it ended an operation in those coastal areas after four days of fighting between security forces and pro-al-Assad fighters. Hundreds of people were killed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
38 minutes ago
- Qatar Tribune
Prime minister, UAE deputy PM discuss Israeli attacks on Iran
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has received a phone call from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the call, they discussed relations between the two countries and ways to support and strengthen them, in addition to the latest developments in the region, particularly the Israeli attack on the territory of the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran. In this context, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar's strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack on Iranian territory, considering it a flagrant violation of Iran's sovereignty and security, and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law. He also stressed the need for concerted regional and international efforts to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes through diplomatic means, while affirming that the State of Qatar is making strenuous efforts, along with its partners, for all parties to return to the path of dialogue to address outstanding issues and consolidate security and peace in the region and the world.
Qatar Tribune
38 minutes ago
- Qatar Tribune
PM stresses need for concerted regional, international efforts to de-escalate tensions, resolve disputes through diplomatic means
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has received Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany HE Johann Wadephul, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the two countries and ways to support and strengthen them. They also discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly the Israeli attack on the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran. In this context, during the meeting, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar's strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack on Iranian territory, considering it a flagrant violation of Iran's sovereignty and security, and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law. He also stressed the need for concerted regional and international efforts to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes through diplomatic means, affirming that the State of Qatar is making strenuous efforts with its partners to return to the path of dialogue among all parties to address outstanding issues and consolidate security and peace in the region and the world.
Qatar Tribune
2 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Amir holds phone call with Iranian president, stresses need to reduce all forms of escalation
DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has held a phone call with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran HE Dr Masoud Pezeshkian. During the call, they reviewed relations between the two countries and ways to support and strengthen them, in addition to discussing developments in the regional and international arenas. In this regard, His Highness the Amir reiterated the State of Qatar's strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack targeting the territory of the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, considering it a flagrant violation of Iran's sovereignty and security, and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law. His Highness stressed the need to reduce all forms of escalation and reach diplomatic solutions that achieve lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.
