In photos: With President Bashar al-Assad gone a new era starts in Syria as the world watches
Damascus stirred back to life on Monday at the start of a hopeful but uncertain era after rebels seized the capital and President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, following 13 years of civil war and more than 50 years of his family’s brutal rule.
People pray as they gather at Sednaya prison in Damascus looking for loved ones.OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images
Men just released from prison dance at the entrance of Aleppo city on December 9.MUHAMMAD HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images
A woman reacts as people gather at Sednaya prison in Damascus looking for loved ones on.OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images
This aerial photo shows traffic as people gathering at the Sednaya prison in Damascus.OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian citizens wave the revolutionary flag as they celebrate the take over of the city by insurgents in Damascus.Hussein Malla/The Associated Press
An anti-government fighter waves an Islamic flag from atop a tank in Damascus.OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images
A Syrian man flashes the victory sign by a burned military vehicle that was hit by Israeli strike, in Damascus.Omar Sanadiki/The Associated Press
The Syrian civil defence group, known as White Helmets, search for prisoners at Sednaya prison, with rebel fighters.Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters
People hold a large Syrian opposition flag at Umayyad Square in Damascus.OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images
A man takes a selfie with his family, standing atop a tank, as they celebrate in Damascus.OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images
Damaged cars lie on the Syrian side of the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing of Arida.Omar Ibrahim/Reuters
A Syrian refugee returning home speaks with Turkish soldiers at Cilvegozu border gate before entering in Syria.OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images
Foreign nationals arriving from Syria stand at the Lebanese Masnaa border crossing on the way to Lebanon.ANWAR AMRO/AFP/Getty Images
An Iranian flag lies on the ground in front of the Islamic republic's embassy in Damascus.LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images
People queue to buy bread in Damascus, after rebels seized the capital.Mohamed Azakir/Reuters
Two men pose with a Syrian opposition flag at Umayyad Square in Damascus.LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images
A Lebanese soldier sets up barbed wire at the Lebanon-Syria border in Al-Arida.IBRAHIM CHALHOUB/AFP/Getty Images
Syrians transport empty ammunition boxes near Mazzeh military airport, outside Damascus.BAKR ALKASEM/AFP/Getty Images
Rebel fighters ride a military vehicle, after they seized the capital and announced that they ousted President al-Assad.Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters
Syrians sit outside the building of the Iranian embassy which was ransacked after anti-government fighters took control.LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian refugees, who were living in Lebanon, cross the destroyed border to return home in Al-Arida.IBRAHIM CHALHOUB/AFP/Getty Images
Syrians react as they stand by government abandoned military vehicles near Mazzeh military airport.BAKR ALKASEM/AFP/Getty Images
Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles line up the area outside the Druze village of Majdal Shams .MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images
Burned Syrian army helicopters after the Israeli military hit weapons depots near the Mazzeh air base, outside Damascus.BAKR ALKASEM/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke billows from a government building in Damascus.OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images
An anti-government fighter waves an Islamic flag from atop a tank in Damascus.OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images
Military tanks abandoned by the Syrian army are pictured outside Damascus.BAKR ALKASEM/AFP/Getty Images
Rebel fighters gesture after they seized the capital and ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus.Mohamed Azakir/Reuters