Syrian rebel supporters enter embassy in Athens, police intervene

Greek media reported that protesters also tore down Assad’s portrait in the embassy but a senior Greek police official could not confirm this.

Alompeint Maarouf, 59, Mazhar Hamdeh, 60, and Nader Halbuni, 61, react in front of the Syrian embassy in Athens following an occupation of the embassy by Syrians living in Greece, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Athens, Greece, December 8, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/STELIOS MISINAS)
Alompeint Maarouf, 59, Mazhar Hamdeh, 60, and Nader Halbuni, 61, react in front of the Syrian embassy in Athens following an occupation of the embassy by Syrians living in Greece, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Athens, Greece, December 8, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/STELIOS MISINAS)

Supporters of the Syrian rebels that ousted President Bashar al-Assad entered the Syrian embassy in Athens on Sunday and hoisted the rebel flag from the rooftop, police and a Reuters reporter said.

Police entered the embassy compound and detained four people but left the flag flying, said a Reuters reporter at the scene.

Syrian rebels declared Assad's ouster after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war.

A small group of people celebrated outside the embassy compound in Athens.

Indescribable joy

“Our joy is indescribable, 55 years of horrible dictatorship has finally ended and … the dictator escaped and left the people,” said Alompeint Marouf, 59.

 Alompeint Maarouf, 59, Mazhar Hamdeh, 60, and Nader Halbuni, 61, react in front of the Syrian embassy in Athens following an occupation of the embassy by Syrians living in Greece, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Athens, Greece, December 8, 2024.  (credit: REUTERS/STELIOS MISINAS)
Alompeint Maarouf, 59, Mazhar Hamdeh, 60, and Nader Halbuni, 61, react in front of the Syrian embassy in Athens following an occupation of the embassy by Syrians living in Greece, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Athens, Greece, December 8, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/STELIOS MISINAS)

Greek media reported that protesters also tore down Assad’s portrait in the embassy but a senior Greek police official could not confirm this.