Aleppo's New Dawn: Life After the Regime Falls

In Aleppo, the once-feared monuments of the Assad regime now lie in ruins. A giant statue of Bashar al-Assad's brother, Basel, once standing tall, is now mostly destroyed, with kids climbing on the remaining horse for fun. The city is buzzing with excitement as residents who fled during the war return home. Amar Sabir, 23, who left Aleppo a decade ago, finally came back with her family. She hopes they'll never have to leave again. Aleppo's historic citadel, a famous medieval structure, is now a place of celebration. Kids sell flags, and a popcorn seller plays protest songs. But amidst the joy, there's uncertainty. A small crater in the street is a grim reminder of Mr. al-Assad's last violent act, killing 15 people just days before his ouster. In the Salahuldeen neighborhood, piles of rubble from years of airstrikes still stand untouched. Zuhair Khateeb, a mechanic, feels uneasy. He couldn't rebuild his home or clear the rubble. He sent his son to Dubai to avoid military service. Now, he hopes his son can return. At President's Square, a toppled statue of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, lies face down. Abdulhadi Ghazal, 17, sat on the pedestal but jumped off when people started taking his picture, fearful of the regime's lingering power. Rebel groups are now trying to form a new government. A large photo of Bashar al-Assad still hangs outside City Hall, untouched. The city is a mix of joy, fear, and hope, as residents navigate their new reality.