From BBC Learning English, this is Learning English from the News,
our podcast about the news headlines.
In this programme, one year since the fall of the Assad government, Syria reflects.
Hello, I'm Georgie.
And I'm Phil.
In this programme,
we look at one big news story and the vocabulary in the headlines that will help you understand it.
You can find all the vocabulary and headlines from this episode as well as a worksheet on our website bbclearningenglish.com.
OK Phil, let's hear more about this story.
The 8th of December marked a year
since Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was forced to leave the capital Damascus.
Assad's regime, or way of governing,
was marked by civil war and brutal attacks on pro-democracy protesters.
Ahmed al-Sharah became the country's president.
Al-Sharah is a former al-Qaeda fighter who led the rebel group which removed Assad from power.
In a speech to the nation on Monday he promised to build a Syria for all Syrians,
saying the country had broken away from its past of repression and violence.
Syrians gathered at home and abroad to celebrate the year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime,
whether they agree with President al-Sharah or oppose him.
Let's have our first headline.