(MENAFN) Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa described Aleppo as “the gateway” to the rest of Syria during a speech on Saturday, marking the city’s first anniversary of liberation, according to reports. The comments were made during celebrations in Aleppo commemorating its freedom from the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

Since Thursday, Syrians have been observing the anniversary of the “Deterrence of Aggression” operation, which began on November 27, 2024, and led to the overthrow of Assad’s regime within 11 days. Aleppo was one of the first cities to be liberated, as the campaign began in its western countryside before the city’s official liberation in early December 2024.

In his address, excerpts of which were published by state media, Sharaa said: “From the walls of Aleppo, we saw Damascus liberated. For us, Aleppo was the gateway to entering all of Syria. After Aleppo’s shackles were broken, prisoners were freed, and smiles returned to children’s faces.”

He emphasized that “the journey truly began the moment Aleppo was liberated, and we will all work tirelessly to rebuild Syria anew,” adding that “After Aleppo was freed, hope returned to the entire nation with Syria’s return to its embrace. Today is not merely a celebration of Aleppo, but a title for a new history being drawn for all of Syria and for the entire region.”

Earlier on Saturday, a state-run TV reported that Sharaa arrived in Aleppo “to meet with civil and military actors on the anniversary of the liberation.”

Bashar al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December 2024, bringing an end to the Baath Party regime that had governed since 1963. Sharaa’s transitional administration was established in January 2025.

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