Syrians to mark 14th anniversary of uprising for first time since fall of Assad

Illustrative: Anti-Syrian government protesters flash Victory signs as they protest in the southern city of Daraa, Syria, March 23, 2011.  (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Illustrative: Anti-Syrian government protesters flash Victory signs as they protest in the southern city of Daraa, Syria, March 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syrians are set to commemorate the 14th anniversary of their uprising today in public demonstrations in Damascus and other cities for the first time since President Bashar al-Assad was toppled.

A demonstration will be held in Umayyad Square in the capital Damascus, the first after years of repression under Assad during which the square was the sole preserve of the toppled president’s supporters.

Activists also call on people to gather in Homs, Idlib, and Hama at demonstrations raising the slogan “Syria is victorious.”

Qader al-Sayed, 35, tells AFP that “we always used to protest on the anniversary of the revolution in Idlib, but today we will celebrate victory in the heart of Damascus.”

“It’s a dream come true,” he adds from Damascus.

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