Syrians have marked Eid al-Adha with large-scale public celebrations on Friday, the first since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, with thousands gathering in markets, mosques and public squares across Damascus and other cities amid a heavy but restrained security presence.
In Damascus, the Al-Hamidiyah market was packed on the eve of Eid, with residents reporting a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere.
According to locals interviewed by Syria TV, the crowds reflected a real surge in shopping and social activity amid difficult economic times for the country as it rebuilds after almost 13 years of civil war.
Clothes, toys, and sweets were in high demand, with shopkeepers noting a marked improvement in sales compared to previous years.
Imad al-Zein, owner of a clothing shop in the market, attributed the change to both political and economic shifts.
"Today, people can buy clothes thanks to support from their relatives abroad," he told Syria TV. "The fall in the dollar's value has lowered prices. If a million lira used to buy four items, today it buys five or six." He also pointed to the end of regime-imposed extortion and reduced customs fees as reasons for the upturn.
Many Syrians who had lived in exile also returned to spend the holiday with family. Reem al-Mohammad described how her brother, previously wanted by Assad's intelligence services, was finally able to come home from Kuwait. "It’s the first time in eight years. This Eid, we're celebrating together," she said.
Internal security forces maintained a visible but restrained presence, deploying at major market entrances to prevent any troubles. In an unprecedented gesture, officers at a checkpoint on Baghdad Street were seen handing out sweets to passers-by - a gesture that would have been unthinkable under the previous regime.
President Ahmad al-Sharaa addressed the nation with a message of unity and hope, stating: "Free Syrians, I congratulate you on the arrival of Eid al-Adha - the first Eid after the fall of the regime of oppression and tyranny. We promise to build, together, a homeland worthy of your sacrifices. Eid Mubarak."
The Damascus municipality supported the celebrations by restoring public lighting in key areas of the capital.
Al-Hamidiyah market, the vicinity of the Umayyad Mosque, Umayyad Square and Governorate Square were all fully illuminated, ending years of darkness and neglect under the Assad regime. Water tankers and street-cleaning crews were deployed in preparation for the holiday, although rubbish overflow remained an issue in some areas due to a shortage of sanitation workers.
Cafes and restaurants in high-end areas, such as Abu Rummaneh and Al-Shaalan, operated at full capacity, many staying open until dawn.
Families filled parks, public squares and the area around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, continuing a tradition that began in quieter forms before Assad’s fall.
During Assad’s rule, Eid al-Adha was often marked by tightly controlled state ceremonies, with Assad himself frequently attending public prayers in Damascus alongside top officials. While official images projected normalcy, the holiday regularly coincided with brutal military operations, particularly airstrikes on rebel-held areas.
For several years, Eid prayers in regime-controlled zones were held as Assad's forces bombed opposition-held towns and cities - actions widely condemned for targeting civilian populations.
Najlaa al-Mohammad, speaking to Syria TV, said: "We never dreamed of more than this — we got rid of the tyrant and we haven’t lost the freedom we were hoping for. This Eid is different. At the very least, we are at peace."
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