On Sunday afternoon, a crowd of around 600 Syrians gathered in the Cureghem district of Anderlecht, Brussels, to celebrate the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The spontaneous procession, primarily composed of Syrian expatriates, marked a significant moment in the ongoing conflict in Syria.
The demonstration began near the Chaussée de Mons, a hub of Syrian-owned businesses, where participants carried flags and chanted in support of what they described as the “liberation” of Syria.
According to Anderlecht’s mayor, Fabrice Cumps, the procession was peaceful but raised concerns about potential disturbances as the evening approached.
“The demonstration is festive for now, but the police fear that other groups might join in the evening and cause disturbances,” Cumps explained. Authorities were monitoring the situation closely, fearing that tensions could escalate as the night wore on.
The celebration was sparked by recent events in Syria, where rebel forces, including radical Islamist groups, entered the Syrian capital, Damascus, early on Sunday morning.
These groups claimed to have liberated the city and announced the flight of President Bashar al-Assad, who has ruled Syria for 24 years.
The rebel factions celebrated the moment as a symbolic end to Assad’s authoritarian regime, although the details surrounding his departure remain unclear.
Reports suggest that Assad fled the capital via Damascus airport, but there is still no confirmed information on his whereabouts.
Speculation is rife, with rumors circulating that he may have sought refuge in a neighboring country, but no official statements have been made regarding his location.
The Syrian government has yet to respond to the claims of his departure, leaving many questions unanswered.
In the Belgian capital, the demonstration unfolded in the heart of a significant Syrian diaspora community. Many of the participants had fled Syria years ago, seeking refuge from the brutal civil war that has devastated the country since 2011.
For them, the fall of Assad’s regime represents both a personal and political triumph, a moment of hope after years of suffering.
While the celebration remained peaceful during the day, the Belgian authorities were preparing for potential unrest in the evening.
The situation in Anderlecht reflects the broader geopolitical volatility surrounding the Syrian conflict and its international ramifications.
The fall of Assad’s regime would have profound implications for both Syria and the Middle East, and this moment of celebration in Belgium is a reflection of the hopes many Syrians have for a better future.
As the situation develops, authorities in Brussels and across Europe are on alert, closely monitoring potential reactions from various groups.
The demonstration in Anderlecht serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of the Syrian civil war and the strong connections between the diaspora communities and their home countries.
With the fate of Syria hanging in the balance, the world watches closely for the next developments in the unfolding story.
