A momentous week as Syria celebrates lifting U.S. sanctions and a year without Assad

A man lights a flare during celebrations marking the first anniversary of the ousting of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Clock Square, Homs, western Syria, Monday.

As they mark the first anniversary of toppling Bashar al-Assad's regime, Syrians also celebrate another coming milestone: the lifting of sanctions, which could help give the country a new start.

(Image credit: Omar Albam)