Syrians Mark Liberation Day with Celebrations in Damascus

Thousands of Syrians gathered in Umayyad Square in central Damascus on Sunday. They were celebrating Victory and Liberation Day, a national holiday. The day marks the anniversary of Syria's independence from French colonial rule in 1946. It also commemorates the 1973 October War. State media showed crowds waving Syrian flags and holding pictures of President Bashar al-Assad. The square was decorated with large national symbols. In a speech, President Assad praised the resilience of the Syrian people. He described the day as a reminder of national sovereignty and the ability to overcome challenges. The holiday comes as Syria continues to rebuild after more than a decade of conflict. Government forces now control most of the country's major cities.