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00:00Fireworks erupted in the sky above Umayyad Square as Syrians celebrated their first new
00:06year after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.
00:10At a Christmas market, revelers danced late into the night, waving the revolution flag,
00:16the unofficial new emblem of postwar Syria.
00:20This celebration marks the first new year without an Assad in power for more than five
00:25decades.
00:27For the festivities, residents expressed their hope and gratitude.
00:31Thank God we now feel free.
00:34We feel that this year will be full of blessings.
00:37The best thing that happened in 2024 was that we were finally freed.
00:41This is the best thing that happened to Syrians in 14 years.
00:45We wish the Arab nations a year of blessings.
00:47Thank God, everyone on the streets is saying that they have never experienced such security
00:53in 13 years.
00:57Everything is fine, and the Syrians are happy.
00:59It's clear the situation is improving.
01:03Throughout the celebrations, well-armed soldiers from the Islamist group Hayat Tafrir al-Sham
01:09patrolled the crowds to keep the peace.
01:11Although less than 2 percent of Syrians are Christian, much of the population is known
01:16to participate in Christmas celebrations, which can last into January.
01:21Under Assad's rule, dissent was repressed and public freedoms were heavily curtailed.
01:26Leaders from Hayat Tafrir al-Sham, however, have promised to protect minorities' rights
01:32and safeguard religious pluralism.