Syrians in Ottawa celebrate fall of Assad regime with cheers and flags

Syrians in Ottawa celebrated the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime on Sunday, cheering and waving flags at the Billings Bridge Shopping Centre. Many expressed relief and hope for Syria's future after years of civil war. The regime's collapse followed coordinated efforts by various rebel groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Syrian Democratic Forces. Assad's main allies, Russia and Hezbollah, have reportedly abandoned him, with Hezbollah withdrawing its forces. The news brought joy to many, including Faihaa Mustafa, who learned her cousins were freed from prison. While some celebrate, experts warn that the situation could lead to chaos as new power dynamics emerge in Syria.