Damascus: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa congratulated the Syrian people on Thursday on the first anniversary of the launch of a military operation that led to the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, inviting citizens to celebrate what he called a 'historic victory.'

According to Anadolu Agency, Sharaa released a statement on the presidency's social media account, describing the day as 'the beginning of the struggle that liberated all of Syria' and urged the public to celebrate the anniversary with enthusiasm. He addressed the people of Syria, marking the event as the anniversary of the 'great deterrence war' in which the previous regime, along with its oppressive structures, was overthrown.

Sharaa called on all segments of society, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences, to gather in public squares. He encouraged Syrians to demonstrate their commitment to the struggle for freedom and show national unity. He emphasized the importance of expressing joy for the victory and demonstrating national solidarity, unity, and the territorial integrity of Syria.

The operation, led by opposition forces including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, began with a major offensive from Idlib into Aleppo province, which was then under the control of the Assad regime. The surprise attack resulted in the rapid capture of Aleppo and ultimately led to the regime's collapse in December 2024.