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ALEPPO, Syria, Dec. 21-- During the war, it was known as the "death square" due to the heavy rebels' shelling and bombing that rocked its core. A year after the liberation of Aleppo, the Saadallah al-Jabiri square was festooned with the Syrian flags and flocked by thousands of Syrians celebrating the liberation anniversary of their city. Around a big sign read "I Love Aleppo," the huge crowds of people gathered on Thursday, waving the Syrian flags and posters of President Bashar al-Assad, while shouting slogans in support of the Syrian government forces. "Today is the celebration of Aleppo, the celebration of every single person here. We have come to express our real joy and happiness that our nightmare has ended a year ago," Ahmad, 40, told Xinhua while holding a Syrian flag in the square. The anniversary celebration also included a military parade and the families of the "martyrs" who have lost their lives during the war, holding up posters featuring the photos of their slain sons and relatives. The security around the square was tightened and cars were prevented from getting close, out of fear of possible retaliatory bombings. The Information Minister Ramez Tourjman took part in the celebration as well as top military officers, including Russians, who played a significant role in enabling the army to retrieve the rebel-held part of Aleppo. Last year's battle of Aleppo was so cubical and a turning point in the course of actions in the Syrian crisis, due to the strategic importance of the city, which was the economic capital of Syria and where most of the country's industry was located. | 
