Arab nations congratulate Syria on first Liberation Day, while some stay silent

Arab countries have sent messages of congratulations to Syria as the country marks the first anniversary of the overthrow of the Assad regime.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in cities across the country on Monday to celebrate the end of more than half a century of Baathist rule and 14 years of brutal civil war.

"On the first anniversary of 8 December 2024, marking the end of the civil war in Syria and the fall of the Assad regime, we wholeheartedly congratulate the Syrian people as they celebrate their Liberation Day," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

It continued: "Over the past year, despite facing numerous challenges, the Syrian government has pursued a prudent and peaceful foreign policy and taken lasting steps toward securing the respected position that Syria rightfully deserves in the international arena."

Turkey was among the biggest foreign backers of opposition forces fighting the Assad regime, and since its overthrow has developed deep political, economic and military ties with the new government.

Qatar's embassy in Damascus, another backer of the opposition, sent Syria its "heartfelt congratulations".

The country "brought joy to the Arabs and Muslims and all the free people of the world with its freedom and liberation, to begin an area of recovery and reconstruction", it said.

Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables to Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa congratulating him on the day.

Al-Sharaa earlier on Monday revealed that the crown prince had gifted him a piece of the Kiswa – the black silk embroided cloth that drapes the Kaaba in Mecca – to mark the occasion. The piece, featuring Quranic verse, is being displayed at the Umayyed Mosque in Damacus.

Meanwhile, US Syria envoy Tom Barrack said Syria had been granted "a new chance for peace, unity, and prosperity".

"To every Syrian – Sunni, Alawite, Kurd, Christian, Druze, Arab, Turkmen, Circassian, and all who call this ancient land home – after so many years of pain, today we celebrate your shared hope rising again," he wrote on X.

UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and Jordan's foreign ministry also sent messages to al-Sharaa congratulating the country on the anniversary.

The governments of Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt had not issued statements as of midday GMT.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was among the many officials weighing in on the occasion.

"I pay tribute to the resilience and courage of the Syrian people, who never stopped nurturing hope despite enduring unimaginable hardship. Today is a day to honour their sacrifices and to renew the aspirations that fuelled the historic change in the country," he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International called on Syria's new government to "commit to delivering justice, truth and reparations while securing human rights for all" in a statement to mark the day.

"Syrian authorities must act decisively to build a rights-respecting future for Syrians who have suffered so much already. The government must strictly adhere to international human rights standards particularly on due process rights, including for suspects of past and current crimes," said Amnesty chief Agnes Callamard, who recently travelled to Damascus.