Hundreds of Syrians in Belgium take to streets to celebrate fall of Assad regime

In Brussels and cities across Flanders, hundreds of Syrians took to the streets on Sunday in jubilation at the fall of the brutal regime of Bachar al-Assad.

As the news filtered through of the collapse of Assad’s dictatorship following major offensives by opposition forces, members of the Syrian community in Belgium headed out into the streets to celebrate.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, an estimated 150 people gathered at the foot of Belgium’s landmark Atomium. “I am here for the freedom of Syria, to demand equality and democracy. From today, we are living again," a Belgian-Syrian woman told Le Vif.

"I am thinking especially of the prisoners. In my family, two people have disappeared. We do not know if they are dead or in prison. Today, we hope for their return," she added.

At the end of the afternoon, some 600 Syrians celebrated in the streets of the Cureghem area, according to Anderlecht mayor Fabrice Cumps. There were also reports of gatherings in Saint-Josse.

In Antwerp, hundreds of people from the Syrian community assembled in Sint-Jansplein to dance, sing and wave flags of support for the opposition movement in their home country. The meeting was approved by city authorities following a last-minute request for a public celebration.

Syrian flags also flew in Ledebergplein in Ghent, where the gathering passed without incident, according to local police.

Amid reports that Assad had fled to Moscow, western political leaders expressed their support for the overthrow of his regime.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X: “The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks. Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities.”

Photo: Atomium ©Belga