Syrian refugees in London are celebrating the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after a swift offensive by rebel forces. Amr Shayah, a Syrian refugee in Greenwich, described the event as a “dream” after years of fleeing oppression and living in exile. Shayah, who faced threats of arrest and torture in Syria, shared his relief after years of conflict.

For more than 50 years, the Assad family ruled Syria with brutal tactics, suppressing democratic movements. Now, following the collapse of Assad’s regime, Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other rebel factions have overthrown the government, forcing Assad to seek asylum in Russia.

Syrians in the UK gathered in Trafalgar Square to celebrate, sharing sweets, singing, and dancing. Shayah, who was an activist and worked in aviation engineering before fleeing, recounted how he was arrested in 2011 during Syria’s Arab Spring uprising and later forced to leave the country to escape further persecution. After seeking refuge in Turkey and facing racism, he moved to the UK in 2022 to continue his humanitarian work.

The fall of Assad’s regime marks a pivotal moment in Syria’s long civil war and brings hope to many who have lived under oppression for years.