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Idlib demonstrators proclaim Syrian revolution far from over

Syrians are taking to the streets of opposition-held areas in northern Syria to condemn a potential invasion of Idlib and show the world they are still seeking to overthrow the regime.

Syrians chant slogans as they wave flags of the opposition and of Turkey during a demonstration against the Syrian government in the rebel-held town of Hazzanu, about 20 kilometres northwest of the city of Idlib, on September 21, 2018. (Photo by Aaref WATAD / AFP)        (Photo credit should read AAREF WATAD/AFP/Getty Images)
Syrians chant slogans as they wave opposition and Turkish flags during a demonstration against the Syrian government in the rebel-held town of Hazzanu, northwest of Idlib, Sept. 21, 2018. — AAREF WATAD/AFP/Getty Images

ALEPPO, Syria — The demonstrations calling for the departure of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad that have swept across opposition-held cities and towns in parts of northern Syria have managed to deliver an important message to the world: The Syrian revolution is far from over.

The protests were called amid Russian and regime forces mobilizing their forces near Idlib while threatening to invade the city. In condemning these threats, demonstrators in Idlib have taken to the streets every Friday since the beginning of September. In a step that rolled back the clock to the early days of the revolution, demonstrators have shown that the banner of the revolution that began in 2011 is the only banner they will hold. For them, there is no room for the colors of extremist jihad.

Residents in the opposition-held cities and towns of northern Syria in Idlib, the northern and western countryside of Aleppo and the northern countryside of Hama took part in mass demonstrations Sept. 28, reasserting the demands of the revolution and calling for the fate of detainees held by the regime to be made public.

On Sept. 21, some one million protesters had taken to the streets in dozens of Free Syrian Army-controlled cities and towns in Idlib province, the northern and western countryside of Aleppo and the northern countryside of Hama. “No constitution or reconstruction until Bashar has been overthrown,” demonstrators chanted.

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