Syrians Rush to ATMs After Regime’s Fall

Following the fall of Syria’s 61-year Baath regime on December 8, state employees, who had gone unpaid for two months due to the prolonged civil war and economic crisis, finally received their back pay.

Large crowds formed at ATMs as workers hurried to withdraw their salaries. Faruk Ahmed Suid, one of the employees, expressed relief, saying, “My salary for the past two months was deposited into my account. I am happy to receive it.”

The collapse of the regime has brought mixed emotions, with financial relief providing a brief respite amid ongoing uncertainty.