By Romy Haber
ACI MENA, Dec 10, 2024 / 17:20 pm
After the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the streets of Lebanon erupted in celebration. Church bells rang out, flags flew high, and fireworks lit up the sky as Lebanese Christians rejoiced in the wake of this significant political shift.
But why did this news from a neighboring country spark such a passionate reaction among Lebanese Christians?
A History of Struggle
Lebanese Christians have a long history of animosity towards the Assad regime, which occupied their country for nearly three decades. The end of this occupation in 2005, marked by the Cedar Revolution, was a moment of unity and defiance for Lebanese of all backgrounds.
However, the influence of the Syrian regime continued to linger, and the scars of the past remained. Both under Hafez and Bashar al-Assad, Lebanese Christians endured immense suffering.
The regime’s actions and crimes had a profound impact, with journalists facing abductions, mutilations, and executions for speaking out against the regime. Media outlets were silenced, political assassinations were common, and civilians faced daily humiliation and torture at the hands of Syrian intelligence.
Lebanese citizens lived under the constant threat of Syrian checkpoints, with students being forcibly removed from classrooms and towns like Zahleh enduring sieges. Neighborhoods such as Ein el-Remmaneh and Ashrafieh were heavily shelled, leaving lasting scars on the community.
Lebanese Christians Celebrate the Fall of the Assad Regime
Car bombs, shelling of vital supply ships, and massacres – these are just a few of the atrocities that plagued Lebanon under the Assad regime’s occupation. Almost every Christian Lebanese family has a story of suffering during those dark days of fear and repression.
Recently, Lebanese citizens took to X (formerly Twitter) to share personal and familial stories that shed light on the oppressive history of Assad’s rule. These stories not only resonate in Syria but also in Lebanon, where the impact of Assad’s regime has been deeply felt.
One Lebanese Christian activist, Jean Bou Assi, shared his thoughts on the historic event in an interview with ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner. “The fall of the Assad regime is deeply tied to years of oppression, occupation, and assassinations that Lebanon endured. As Lebanese Christians, our history and fate have often been linked to the Lebanese entity that the Assad regime doesn’t recognize,” he said.
The celebrations marking the fall of the Assad regime are not just a moment of joy but also a reminder of the resilience and strength of the Lebanese people. It is a hopeful sign of a brighter future for Lebanon, free from the shadows of oppression and fear.
The Resilience of Lebanon: Celebrating Justice and Freedom
The recent downfall of the oppressive Assad regime in Lebanon has been a cause for celebration for many Lebanese citizens. Despite years of struggle and oppression, Lebanon’s entity has endured, and this victory marks a significant moment in the country’s history.
Justice Served
For many Christian Lebanese, the fall of Assad symbolizes a form of justice being served. The atmosphere in Lebanon was filled with chants of “Bachir hay fina” (“Bachir lives among us”), a tribute to the memory of President-elect Bachir Gemayel, a prominent Lebanese Christian leader assassinated in 1982.
Many feel that the fall of Assad is a moment of justice for Gemayel, as Syria was widely implicated in his assassination. The hope now is that the new Syrian administration will take action and bring justice by handing over Habib Chartouni, the assassin of President Bachir Gemayel.
In a touching tribute, Michel Moawad, a member of Parliament and founder of the Independence Movement, honored his father, René Moawad, who served as president of Lebanon. He expressed his belief that justice has finally been achieved on earth for his father.
Nayla Tueni, CEO of An-Nahar, dedicated an article to her father, Gebran Tueni, a journalist assassinated for his criticism of Assad. The article, titled “To Gebran and All Martyrs: The Justice of Fate,” pays tribute to his legacy.
MTV, a major Lebanese TV channel that was shut down by the Assad regime in 2002, also has reason to celebrate the regime’s fall. This victory represents a new era of justice, freedom, and hope for Lebanon.
