Syrians march in Idlib to mark revolution's 11th anniversary

Syrians filled the streets of Idlib as they marched to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the Syrian revolution on Tuesday.

Syrians reflected on the "very difficult" times they've lived through over the past decade but joined forces in a display of hope demanding an end to regime rule.

"The demonstration today was one of the most beautiful demonstrations because thousands of people gathered yet shared one heart, all calling for the overthrow of the Syrian regime and demanding to return to their homes," Idlib-based journalist Izzedin Kasim told The New Arab.

People carry Syrian revolution flags during a demonstration, marking the 11th anniversary of the start of the Syrian Revolution, in Idlib city, Syria March 15, 2022. (Thread) pic.twitter.com/Ht4eGKzW7v

— Fared Al Mahlool (@FARED_ALHOR) March 15, 2022

"Personally, I lost my country and my house was destroyed, and I live in a rented place and the humanitarian conditions are very difficult," Kassim added.

He insists that despite the effects of the war on him, his work as a journalist has given him a strong sense of duty and purpose. 

Many still hold that the years of struggle were necessary, including Idlib-based photojournalist Yousef Gharibi.

"The past 11 years were difficult and brought many tragedies, but they were necessary in the path of reaching the Syria we dream of... a free Syria without a tyrannical regime without corruption and criminality," Gharibi said.

Idlib and parts of Aleppo province remain the only areas in Syria to be held by the Syrian opposition.

Fadel Abdul Ghany, the chairman of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, believes there will be more developments in the revolution in the years to come and despite the military failures of the rebels, the uprising has achieved success in other ways.

"I don't think the revolution has been defeated...  there will be other waves... we succeeded in other aspects like in the human rights and media aspect like [achieving] international condemnation of the regime," he said.

Since the uprising against President Bashar Al-Assad began, an estimated 500,000 lives have been lost, over 5 million Syrians have been made refugees and an additional six million Syrians have become internally displaced as the regime brutally cracked down on pro-democracy protesters.