Celebrations in Greece as Assad’s Rule Ends
Hours after rebels declared victory in Damascus, the Syrian opposition flag was unfurled atop the Syrian embassy in Athens. Greek state news agency ANA reported that at least three men entered the embassy, raised the flag, and displayed a portrait of President Bashar al-Assad, labeling him a “dictator.”
Authorities Detain Protesters
Greek police detained three individuals involved in the embassy incident. While officers were dispatched to the scene, no official comments have been made by the authorities regarding the incident.
Jubilant Syrians Celebrate Abroad
Members of the Syrian diaspora in Greece gathered at the embassy to celebrate the end of Assad’s five-decade rule.
- Dr. Maarouf Alobeid, a Syrian cardiologist living in Greece for 40 years, expressed joy: “The dictator escaped. It is over… A new dawn rises for Syria.”
- Nader Halbouni, a senior figure in Greece’s Syrian community, highlighted the emotional significance of the moment: “Twenty-four million Syrians didn’t sleep all night.”
READ ALSO: Damascus Falls: Rebels Topple Assad, Marking End of Baath Rule in Syria
Syrian Community in Greece
Greece, home to over 15,000 Syrians with residence permits, has been a haven for refugees since the 2015 migration crisis. Many Syrians initially passed through Greece, seeking asylum in other European Union nations.
Celebrations continued as a public gathering was scheduled to mark this historic moment, symbolizing the hope for a freer Syria.
