Christian man embraces Islam in Syria during celebration of Assad's fall

A Christian man publicly embraced Islam while celebrating the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, marking the end of his two-decade iron-fist on the country.

In a symbolic act of defiance, several Syrians destroyed one of the largest statues of Bashar al-Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, in Deir Atiyeh on the outskirts of Damascus.

The statue was toppled to the ground as people stood on its remains, celebrating the regime's collapse.

In the middle of the crowd, the man stood on the ruins of the statue and recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, in front of the gathering.

"I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," he proclaimed loudly, prompting the crowd to erupt in chants of "Allahu Akbar" (God is great).

The man was also seen attempting to break the remains of Hafez al-Assad’s statue with a large stone.

Rebel  fighters entered Damascus without resistance early Sunday, the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies declared that Bashar al-Assad had left Syria.

The opposition forces took control of Damascus, including state TV, radio stations, and the Ministry of Defense.

President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule collapsed in just a week amid reports of his death or disappearance.

Celebrations erupted as government forces withdrew from key areas. In Damascus, the presidential palace was looted, prompting rebel forces to impose a curfew across the city.