Syrians Return Home After Assad’s Ouster
Syrians lined up at the Turkish border on Wednesday to head home after rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad, speaking of their expectations for a better life following what was for many a decade of hardship in Turkey.
"We have no one here. We are going back to Latakia, where we have family," said Mustafa as he prepared to enter Syria with his wife and three sons at the Cilvegozu border gate in southern Turkey. Dozens more Syrians were waiting to cross.
Mustafa fled Syria in 2012, a year after the conflict there began, to escape conscription into Assad’s army. For years he did unregistered jobs in Turkey earning less than the minimum wage, he said.
"Now there’s a better Syria. God willing, we will have a better life there," he said, expressing confidence in the new leadership in Syria as he watched over the family’s belongings, clothes packed into sacks and a television set.
The Civil War
The civil war that grew out of a 2011 uprising against Assad killed hundreds of thousands of people and drove millions abroad. Turkey, which hosts three million Syrians, has extended the opening hours of the Cilvegozu border gate near the Syrian city of Aleppo seized by rebels at the end of November.
New Leadership
Around 350-400 Syrians a day were already crossing back to rebel-held areas of Syria this year before the opposition rebellion began two weeks ago. The numbers have almost doubled since, Ankara says, anticipating a surge now Assad has gone.
Turkey has backed Syrian opposition forces for years but has said it had no involvement in the rebel offensive which succeeded at the weekend in unseating Assad after 13 years of civil war.
Return of Refugees
Haya was waiting to enter Syria with her husband and three children. They have lived in a nearby container camp since devastating earthquakes in February 2023 killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and Syria.
"We had good neighbors and good relations, but a container is not a home," Haya said as she comforted her six-month-old baby and her daughter translated her comments from Arabic.
"We are going back to Aleppo. Iman has school here, but we have nothing else. We are going back home, to our family," Haya said, adding that her brother had been released after years in prison following Assad’s ouster.
New Prime Minister’s Plans
Syria’s new interim prime minister has said he aimed to bring back millions of Syrian refugees, protect all citizens and provide basic services but acknowledged it would be difficult because the country, long under sanctions, lacks foreign currency.
Mustafa voiced confidence in the new leadership after Assad was ousted by rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al Qaeda affiliate which has since downplayed its jihadist roots.
"Those who have taken power are no strangers. They didn’t come from the United States or Russia. They are our own people. We know them," he said.
Conclusion
The future of Syria remains uncertain, but for many Syrians, the return home is a step towards rebuilding their lives. With the new leadership in place, hopes are high for a better future.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Syrians have returned to their homes?
- Around 350-400 Syrians a day have returned to rebel-held areas of Syria.
- What is the new leadership’s plan for refugees?
- The new interim prime minister aims to bring back millions of Syrian refugees and protect all citizens.
- How difficult will it be for the new leadership to implement its plans?
- The country, long under sanctions, lacks foreign currency, making it a challenging task.
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