Syrians celebrate the first anniversary of the Bashar al-Assad regime's fall today, marking a liberation that followed over 13 years of devastating civil war, driven by a rapid rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who attended dawn prayers in Damascus, pledged to build a "strong Syria" and reshape foreign relations, strengthening ties with the US and Gulf states, and easing sanctions after a meeting with Donald Trump last month.While over 1 million refugees have returned amid widespread festivities, the post-Assad era faces challenges from sectarian violence and distrust among minorities, with rebuilding costs estimated at $216 billion by the World Bank.