Syrian revolution has triumphed after a long journey of sacrifices

After 14 years of fighting the world’s most brutal tyrannical regimes, Syrians were able to wrest their freedom, despite their memories burdened by the tragedies caused by the former regime’s massacres against Syrians.

The forces of the former regime used all types of weapons to eliminate them. They committed massacres in Bayda, Tremseh, Houla, Eastern Ghouta, Daraya, Khan Shaykhon, and in other areas. Those massacres and mass graves documented by journalists had not stopped them from going on in committing massacres.

Despite the use of chemical and conventional weapons, vacuum, concussion, ballistic missiles, and explosive barrels, as well as arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and the liquidation of detainees in Sednaya Prison and security branches, the Syrians persisted on the path of their revolution until they achieved their victory on December 8th.

Hundreds of Thousands of Victims and Detainees

The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented the deaths of 230,224 civilians, including 15,272 who were killed under torture, the disappearance and detention of 154,816 people, and the displacement of nearly 14 million Syrians, during the years of the Syrian revolution.

Press reports indicate that the actual death toll is higher than the aforementioned figure, but the Syrian Network relied on lists of victims for its documentation.

An Anniversary Renewed Every Year

During the early years of the Syrian revolution, demonstrations took place daily in most Syrian cities, during which demonstrators chanted for freedom and the downfall of the regime. On each occasion, demonstrators affirmed their adherence to their demands, which escalated at a rapid pace.

The Syrian revolution continued to expand and spread throughout Syrian territory, until the anniversary of its outbreak, March 15-18, became an occasion for Syrians to renew their demands and renew the pledge they had made.

The first popular protests in Syria began with a demonstration in the Al-Hamidiyah Market in central Damascus on March 15, 2011.

On that day, dozens of citizens and merchants gathered in the well-known, vibrant market and denounced the security forces’ assault on a merchant.

Following the market protest, slogans were written on the walls of Daraa city demanding Assad regime’s departure. The regime’s intelligence and security forces arrested a number of suspects, most of whom were children and teenagers.

Syrians in other provinces expressed solidarity with the Daraa protests, especially in Homs, Idlib, and the Damascus countryside.

Between 2020 and 2025, Russia, the forces of the former regime and its affiliated armed groups, Hezbollah, and Iranian groups continued to target civilians in the Idlib and Aleppo countryside regions with missiles, shells, and warplane missiles.

These forces never ceased committing massacres against civilians, which later evolved into targeting areas adjacent to their control with drones, which pursued civilians in their villages and agricultural fields.

With the intensification of these attacks on a large scale, the military operation “Deterrence of Aggression” was launched, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and with the participation of military factions. This operation led to the capture of the city of Aleppo.

Due to the attacks of opposition fighters, the former regime’s forces retreated to Hama and then Homs, culminating in the capture of the capital, Damascus, and the escape of the head of the former regime to Russia, abandoning the fate of his fighters and those who supported him for 14 years without concern.

At dawn on December 8, 2024, Syria was declared free from a dictatorial regime that had lasted for more than five decades. This marked the culmination of a long journey of sacrifices made by Syrians throughout the years of the Syrian revolution, and the beginning of a new era whose motto, “the Syrian people hope, will be construction, reconstruction, freedom, and human dignity”. They also emphasize “transitional justice” and the prosecution of those who have committed crimes against the Syrian people.

Basma Qaddour

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