Join the Celebration: Hundreds of Thousands Light Up the Night with Fireworks to Mark One Year Since Assad's Overthrow!

THESE are the moments thousands of Syrians took to the streets, celebrating the first anniversary of the removal of dictator Bashar al-Assad.

People turned out in droves, launching fireworks, raising flags and taking part in widespread frivolity on Monday, as the country continues to recover from nearly 15 years at war.

Fireworks and flares light up the skies in Syria as the country celebrates the first anniversary of liberation from the al-Assad regimeCredit: AP Hundreds of thousands turned out into Syrian cities to mark the occasionCredit: Getty Syrians danced, celebrated and chanted in the streets on MondayCredit: EPA

The expressions of joy marked the one-year anniversary of the fall of the al-Assad regime, after opposition forces undertook an 11-day offensive, successfully toppling the dynasty’s 53-year rule.

Videos and photos of the festivities posted to social media show similar scenes across Syrian cities, including in Damascus and Homs.

Syrians were seen waving flags, playing music, cheering and celebrating into the evening at the military parades organised by the Ministry of Defence.

Speaking at a press conference in Damascus, paid tribute to the fighters who battled to overthrow the former despot, who fled to Russia last year.

“To those who are now present here in the heart of history, you are shaping a story of … bravery,” he said.

“Today we mark one year of liberating Syria from the shackles of tyranny and dictatorship, restoring the country once again to greatness.

“Stand with your heads held high – we had lost our homeland for more than five decades, during which this gang attempted to fleece it of its civilisation, history and traditions,” he added.

He continued, “No one will stand in our way, no matter how big or powerful they are”.

“We will face all challenges, God willing,” he said.

“We will rebuild a strong Syria worthy of its present and its past, a Syria that supports the oppressed and establishes justice among the people.”

Earlier in the day, dressed in military uniform, al-Sharaa had performed the dawn prayer at the Umayyad Mosque.

Since the overthrow of al-Assad, the new government has slowly and take steps to provide basic services for Syrians.

Aleppo, Homs and Damascus, alongside other main cities, have begun receiving uninterrupted electricity on a trial basis for the first time in 15 years, after repair and maintenance work began on the country’s power grid.

Prisons, including the military death camp Sednaya – dubbed the “human slaughterhouse” – have also been permanently closed.

Assad as rebels seized Damascus and ended his rule.

However, while the nation celebrates its liberation, cities including Aleppo – which copped a major battering in its split between opposition fighters and pro-Assad forces – could cost “billions of dollars” to rebuild, according to Al Jazeera .

Entire families turned out to the military parades, celebrating peace after 15 years at warCredit: Getty The despotic regime ruled over Syrians for 53 yearsCredit: Getty Former Syrian dictator Bachar al-Assad fled to Russia when rebels overtook DamascusCredit: AFP

As well as infrastructure issues, millions of refugees and displaced diaspora continue to weigh up the decision to return home.

The war began in 2011, after a group of unarmed rebels rose against al-Assad, and it quickly escalated into a 15-year-long conflict that saw the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

More than 6.8 million Syrians fled the war-torn cities in one of the world’s largest migration crises to date.

Over the last 12 months, more than 782,000 people have returned from abroad, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

Young Syrians remain hopeful for the future and for change; however, they are struggling through housing affordability and availability, as well as a cost-of-living crisis, amid limited job opportunities.

Student Maha Khail told Al Jazeera that “only part of the dream came true”.

“We have victory, but we lost years, homes, children,” she said.

“The real story begins now – we hope we will rebuild, but the youth are thinking of going abroad.

“And those who are abroad are afraid of coming back.”