Updated 5.50pm with comments

Syrians in Malta took to the streets on Sunday morning to celebrate the fall of the Baath rule after 50 years in power.

Some joined carcades, waving Syrian flags and cheering. Others joined the peaceful celebrations on foot, including in the Ħamrun Fra Diegu Square.

Like fellow countrymen across the globe, Syrians in Malta woke up to news that President Bashar al-Assad had fled their home country's capital.

Early on Sunday, Islamist-led rebels declared they had taken Damascus in a lightning offensive. Residents in the capital were seen cheering in the streets, as the capital was declared "free".

'I am so happy'

Ahmad Kasem, who hails from a village near Palmyra, told Times of Malta: “I can’t even express how happy I am. I have been waiting for this moment for 14 years.”

Kasem, who has lived in Malta since 2009, chose not to join the public celebrations, instead marking the occasion at home with his family

“It was like Eid for us today,” he said.

Sounding emotional, Kasem said the fall of the Assad regime made returning to his home country a possibility.

“I love Malta. I mean, I have a business here, and my children grew up here and are Maltese, but you always feel something is missing, and that has been home,” he said.

While Kasem expressed optimism about the future, Mazen Dadouch, originally from Damascus and a resident of Malta since the 1990s, struck a more cautious tone.

“Let us not forget what happened in Libya,” he warned.

Dadouch said he was very happy Assad had fallen and was celebrating that with his family, but expressed concern about the geopolitical complexities that could shape the country’s future.

“I read a lot, and I am aware of all the powers in play, like Turkey, Russia, and the US, that might impact the future, so I remain cautious,” he explained.

Warnings not to wave flags

In Ta' Qali, dozens of Syrians gathered to celebrate news of the regime's fall. 

But in Ħamrun, some people were reportedly warned not to wave the Syrian flag.

Human rights activist Omar Rababah, who was born in Malta to a Syrian father, said police officers in Ħamrun were stopping people with flags in their hands and giving them a warning.

Ahmed Jaber and his friend Mustaffa, who have been in Malta for three years, were among those celebrating in Hamrun. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

"The right for freedom of peaceful assembly, according to the Constitution of Malta, applies to every person, not just every citizen.

"Just like no one is stopped when we celebrate the results of general elections in Malta, we should not stop four cars and pedestrians with flags. Do not discriminate," he said in a Facebook post.