Metro Vancouver's Syrian community celebrates fall of Assad regime

Members of Metro Vancouver's Syrian community celebrated outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Sunday after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Assad fled to Moscow as rebel forces took control of Damascus, marking a significant shift in the Syrian conflict. The celebration drew over 200 attendees, who waved flags and danced in joy. Many expressed hope for a new era in Syria, with some considering returning to their homeland after years of conflict. Canada is home to about 100,000 Syrians, with over 4,300 in Metro Vancouver. The end of Assad's regime raises concerns about power vacuums and potential threats from groups like ISIS, but the community remains focused on the moment of liberation.