Deraa, the heart of the Syrian uprising, celebrates Assad’s death sentence

Deraa, a pivotal city in Syria's 2011 uprising, rejoiced as Atef Najib, the head of political security, received a death sentence from Syrian courts alongside President Bashar Al Assad and his brother Maher. The uprising began in Deraa with graffiti on walls advocating for an end to the Assad regime, leading to the kidnapping and torture of 15 boys by government forces.

Peaceful protests outside Al Omari Mosque resulted in further violence and a brutal crackdown, marking the start of a civil war. Najib's trial and sentencing have been celebrated by locals like Malek Al Abboud, who believes he was responsible for the revolution and the destruction it caused. The city now bears symbols of the uprising, with a mural commemorating the start of large-scale protests on March 18, 2011.

The court's verdict also serves as a test for the new Syrian government's commitment to justice and accountability. Although the Assad brothers fled to Russia, Abboud's mother, Fida, remains hopeful for their return and the eventual improvement of the city, encouraging others to return as well.