ALEPPO, Syria — It is unclear where the political path for Syria is leading. With a divided opposition and a government still in power and surrounded with allies, it is clear that the country’s instability will persist longer, causing more damages and civilian suffering. Yet for the 10th anniversary of the Syrian revolution,  the opposition-held areas in northwestern Syria celebrated the 10th anniversary of the revolution — originally ignited on March 18, 2011, in the southern governorate of Daraa — in a festive atmosphere. Hundreds of thousands of civilians took to the streets across these parts, affirming from the freedom squares that their journey persists.

The preparations for the demonstrations and festivities began a few days before the anniversary date in many cities and towns that the Syrian regime does not control. The revolution’s banners filled the squares in the cities of Idlib, Azaz, al-Bab, Dana, Jisr al-Shughour and others.

On March 15, thousands of civilians gathered in Idlib's Sabaa Bahrat Square, and celebrated the 10th anniversary of the revolution in a mass demonstration as thousands of demonstrators from across the Idlib countryside joined the square. The participants’ chants demanded freedom and justice echoed throughout the city where the revolution’s flags were raised including a large one in Idlib city center. The demonstrations and celebrations reached other towns in the Idlib countryside. Hundreds of people gathered in Martyrs Square in the southern city of Jisr al-Shughour, chanting for freedom, as well as in Kafr Takharim and Sarmada.

Speaking to Al-Monitor, Houda Nasrallah, a civil society activist celebrating the revolution’s anniversary in Idlib, said that the events and demonstrations celebrating the 10th anniversary of the  Syrian revolution remarkably show that the Syrians remain determined and committed to the top goal of bringing down the regime. She said that the real motive is the people’s total belief in the value of dignity and freedom. “Ten years later, our chants are still the same; the people want to bring down the regime,” she added.