In the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib, residents took to the streets to celebrate the reported death of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah. The news of Israel's strike on Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut prompted jubilant scenes in this rebel-held enclave, which has been embroiled in conflict with President Bashar al-Assad's regime since the Syrian civil war began in 2011.
Idlib, one of the last rebel strongholds in Syria, witnessed impromptu festivities as people cheered, clapped, and honked car horns. Fireworks illuminated the sky while gunshots rang out in celebration. For many in Idlib, Nasrallah was viewed as a key ally of Assad, instrumental in the government's crackdown on opposition forces.
Ahmed al-Ali, a 30-year-old resident, expressed his elation: "It's the most beautiful day of my life." He, like many others, harbored resentment towards Nasrallah and Hezbollah for their role in the Syrian conflict. Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group founded in 1985, had sent thousands of fighters to support Assad's forces, significantly impacting the course of the war.
However, the reaction in Idlib stands in stark contrast to the response across much of the Middle East. In Ramallah, a Palestinian city in the central West Bank, protesters took to the streets in outrage. Similarly, in Homs, Syria's third-largest city under government control, Nasrallah's supporters gathered to mourn, waving Hezbollah flags and firing into the air.
The divergent reactions highlight the complex political landscape of the region. While some Syrians in Idlib view Nasrallah's death as justice for the suffering inflicted during the civil war, others express concern about potential repercussions. Adnan al-Rifai, 25, warned of possible negative impacts on Syrians in Lebanon and other countries, citing videos of Nasrallah supporters attacking Syrians in Lebanon.
Syria's government condemned the Israeli strike, referring to Israel as the "Zionist entity" and accusing it of disregarding international laws. This terminology is commonly used by some Arab states when referring to Israel, reflecting the ongoing tensions in the region.
Hezbollah, in a statement, praised Nasrallah as "a great martyr; a heroic, daring, brave, wise, insightful and faithful leader." The group vowed to continue its "jihad" against Israel and in support of Gaza and Palestine. Similarly, Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist organization, pledged to pursue resistance "until victory and the dismissal of the occupation."
"Crimes and assassination by the occupation will only increase the determination and the insistence of the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon to go forward with all their might, bravery and pride on the footsteps of the martyrs…and pursue the path of resistance until victory and the dismissal of the occupation."
As the region grapples with the aftermath of this significant event, the future remains uncertain for Syrians both within the country and in neighboring states like Lebanon. The Syrian civil war, now in its 14th year, has resulted in millions of refugees and internally displaced persons, with Idlib remaining one of the last areas outside government control.