A Christmas market has opened in Damascus, marking a moment of hope and unity just days after the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, as residents gather to celebrate amidst ongoing uncertainty.
Damascus hosted its first Christmas market on Thursday (December 19), just ten days after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, bringing hope and unity to a city reshaped by political change.
The market attracted visitors who strolled among festive decorations, sharing moments of joy amid ongoing uncertainty. "Life does not stop for anyone. Syria is a country for all sects and religions," said Yazan al-Sahour, a visitor, expressing hope for a united Syria.
Organiser Khalil Sarji described the event’s deeper meaning: “We are not talking about Jesus’ birth only but about a country's birth, hope, and joy re-birth."
On December 8, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Islamist group, seized control of Damascus, pledging safety for all Syrians. However, fears of persecution persist, with many fleeing the country despite assurances from the new rulers.
International diplomats recently met in Jordan to stress the importance of minority rights under Syria's new leadership. For many in Damascus, the Christmas market offered a rare opportunity to look forward with optimism.
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The European Union has decided to lift economic sanctions on Syria while maintaining targeted measures against figures from the former Assad regime.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the fatal shooting of two embassy staffers in Washington as a vile act of antisemitic violence, intensifying fears of growing hostility toward Israelis abroad amid mounting global tensions.
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Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Thursday that tariffs were a key point of discussion during the G7 finance ministers’ meeting, despite the issue being omitted from the final communique.
The suspect in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy aides in Washington has been charged with first-degree murder, the U.S. Justice Department confirmed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the fatal shooting of two embassy staffers in Washington as a vile act of antisemitic violence, intensifying fears of growing hostility toward Israelis abroad amid mounting global tensions.
A tragic plane crash early Thursday morning shook a quiet residential neighborhood in San Diego, California. According to officials, there are two dead, eight injured.
The suspect in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy aides in Washington has been charged with first-degree murder, the U.S. Justice Department confirmed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the fatal shooting of two embassy staffers in Washington as a vile act of antisemitic violence, intensifying fears of growing hostility toward Israelis abroad amid mounting global tensions.
G7 finance leaders meeting in Canada pledged to tackle global imbalances and suggested tougher sanctions on Russia, while also taking aim at unfair economic practices widely attributed to China.
A tragic plane crash early Thursday morning shook a quiet residential neighborhood in San Diego, California. According to officials, there are two dead, eight injured.
Israeli airstrike hits Toul building in southern Lebanon after evacuation warning, amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah.
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