How do Syrians themselves view the fall of Assad?
11 Dec 2024
7 minutes
The events of the past few days in Syrie made many people in Belgium gasp for breath. Few could imagine that the Assad regime would ever come to an end. How do Syrians in Belgium, and Syrian partners of 11.11.11 in the region, to this historic upheaval?
Lotus Abu Saeb (29, Antwerp)
“The news was faster than our hearts could beat, and our eyes were constantly focused on the television. With every city that was liberated, we saw the dream coming closer. The most emotional moment was when my mother saw images of the Sednaya prison. She could no longer stand on her legs and started to cry. It was a mixture of relief and pain. That prison hung over our family like a shadow for years. She visited her brother there, every month for nine years. I remember everything about those visits, even though I was still a child then. The atmosphere, the look in her eyes, the waiting. Those memories all came back that night.”
“I couldn’t sleep a wink and watched the news all night, afraid of missing something. Hope and fear alternated, as I feared another disappointment. But at 4 a.m. the redeeming news arrived: Syria was free.”
“We are a people who have felt fear in our hearts for years. Not only fear of the dictator, but also fear of each other and of the unknown. Yet I believe that the future of Syria lies in the heart and mind of every Syrian. If we learn to trust each other again, overcome our fears and let our beliefs coexist, we can build Syria, a country for everyone. A country where there is room for trust, for freedom and for dreams.”
We are a people who have felt fear for years. Not only fear of the dictator, but also fear of each other and of the unknown. Yet I believe that the future of Syria lies in the heart of every Syrian.
Iyas Kaadouni (42, Ghent)
“The statues of the Assad family across Syria have fallen as living examples of an era of fear and terrorism. But there is still a long way to go to achieve justice and accountability, and to build a just, equal and democratic state that respects human rights. The challenges are enormous. Rebuilding the torn Syrian society. Reuniting the Syrian territories, by finding peaceful solutions with the Syrian Kurds. Rebuilding the Syrian economy and building a better future for Syrian children. Ensuring that displaced Syrians can return.”
"I want to thank everyone who stood by us in this fight. They stood by us and supported us in difficult times. Thank you to everyone who tried to soften the hardness of the past years. We hope to see you all in a just and democratic Syria... a beautiful Syria!"
Salah Jaradeh (28, Ghent)
“When news of Assad’s fall broke, joy erupted among Syrians around the world. After years of oppression and fear, there was finally hope for a new future. I remember that moment as the happiest day of my life. The images of celebrating crowds in Damascus and other cities symbolized the collective relief of a people regaining their freedom.”
“But the joy was accompanied by concern. How will Syria develop after the fall of the dictator? Will foreign actors, such as Iran, Russia and Turkey, try to fill the vacuum? And what does the increase in Israeli bombardments mean for the stability of the country? Despite these uncertainties, we dream of a new Syria, a country that embraces freedom, justice and progress. We hope for a peaceful transition to democracy and stability, led by the Syrian people themselves. At the same time, we are vigilant against foreign interference that could disrupt our future. Rebuilding Syria will require a huge effort, but it is a mission that we approach with determination and hope.”
“The fall of Assad marks not only the end of a dictatorial era, but also the beginning of a new chapter for Syria. It is an opportunity to build a society based on freedom, justice and human dignity. The Syrian people have shown that, despite everything, they remain united in their struggle for a better future. Our goal is clear: a Syria that honors its glorious history and offers a future to all Syrians. This moment of liberation is only the beginning of a long journey, but it gives us the strength to dream, build and look forward to a peaceful and prosperous Syria.”
When the news of Assad's fall broke, joy broke out among Syrians worldwide. I remember that moment as the happiest day of my life.
Noura Melhem (11.11.11-partner Basmeh & Zeitooneh)
“We are over the moon, but in a painful way. Before, we didn’t have the luxury of processing our traumas, we always felt like we had to be strong and keep going. We never had the chance to confront our traumas, or even call them traumas.”
“We never thought we would see such a day. And now we want justice to be done, for Assad and his people to be held accountable for their crimes.”
“With Basmeh & Zeitooneh, we have been working in Syria for years, including in areas where the regime is active. But we had to keep this secret so as not to endanger ourselves and the people we work with. And now we can finally come out of the dark. I can finally meet the people I have been working with for years in person. And that is exactly what we are going to do now: talk to the people on the ground and take their ideas to build and rebuild. Make sure that their opinions are central to the future of Syria.
Omar Moslem (11.11.11partner Access Center for Human Rights)
“After the fall of dictator Assad, Syria faces a historic opportunity to rebuild its national identity. However, this comes with many challenges related to the nature of the phase, especially with all the oppression, crimes, corruption, displacement and other legacies that dictator Assad has left to Syrians.”
“I hope that in the near future there will be a comprehensive national dialogue with all Syrian parties to ensure the construction of a modern democratic state, but at the same time, reality cannot be ignored. De facto forces are spreading in Syria and we, as Syrians, still do not know what their plan is and how they will handle the current phase. In addition, foreign countries are still interfering in Syrian affairs for various reasons and trying to protect their interests, and this is another challenge that Syrians have to deal with. Israel is also taking advantage of the current chaos and is occupying Syrian land and bombing many locations in Syria again.”
“Syria is going through historic and crucial circumstances and I hope that this transitional phase will be the beginning of building a new Syria.”
Israel is also taking advantage of the current chaos and is occupying Syrian land and again bombing many locations in Syria.”
Tammam Aljamous (11.11.11-partner Olive Branch)
"Congratulations to the courageous people of Syria on this important victory and progress towards freedom. As citizens of this country, we have a responsibility to ensure that the dream of democracy becomes a reality. This is not just another step forward; it is a commitment to building a country where everyone feels at home, regardless of their origins or beliefs, and where unity and inclusivity are key.
Zahid Ghaida from Borgerhout
"Today I feel like I'm living in a dream. I never thought that after all these years we would experience freedom in Syria. We are very happy and full of hope, but the future remains uncertain. Will we get a better government, or a worse one? Yet I continue to believe that our country, after all the suffering we have endured, will one day be beautiful again."
