Damascus/New Delhi:
Syria witnessed a major revolution, ending five decades of Assad family rule. The rebels and the Syrian opposition captured Damascus through this movement, which surprised even the world. However, for the Syrian people this was more than just a coup. This was a life changing event. Remembering that period of fear and panic, people are now expressing their feelings with enthusiasm.
For many Syrians, Assad’s fall was both a shock and a long-awaited relief. “Freedom was suppressed during the Assad era,” said Hassan Ibrahim, a 24-year-old IT engineer from the Syrian port city of Tartus. “Freedom was suppressed during the Assad era, and life was largely cheaper. However, the revolution in Syria is expected to take a larger form and overthrow the regime.” The demand for Assad’s removal led to a 14-year violent conflict with his supporters and loyalists, resulting in the deaths of one million Syrians and the forced displacement of 12 million. “Displacement occurred.”
“I felt happy, I felt like a dream came true,” said Mohammed Hassan, a 25-year-old Syrian fashion designer in New Delhi. “But I am also saddened by the blood shed during the years of agitation and war. “I am worried about the future.”
New administration busy searching for members of ousted Assad regime
Now Syria’s new administration has stepped up its campaign to locate and arrest members of the ousted Assad regime, while the current government also promises justice. Critics fear that this government may lose its way in the pursuit of revenge. The new authorities, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, have made it clear that their priority is to oust loyalists of the old regime.
The fall of the Assad regime has left painful memories for many Syrians. “Growing up in Syria was a nightmare, especially after 2011, being scared all the time, armed people everywhere and rampant corruption,” said Ahmed al-Sharef, a computer language researcher in the Romanian capital Bucharest. It was like living.”
Didn’t expect such a day would come in Syria – Abu Khalid
“We were in shock,” said Abu Khalid, a 27-year-old computer science engineer from Jableh. “We didn’t expect that the day would come when this regime would fall because of its brutal repressive methods. When we heard about Assad’s escape and the revolution succeeding When we found out, my reaction and that of the Syrian people was that we took to the streets and raised loud slogans, ‘Long live free Syria’.”
Abu Khalid said, “We faced all kinds of oppression. The regime treated us like slaves. Even speaking in simple words could lead to detention, or worse. Secret detention centres, forced disappearances and torture camps were part of our reality. If you posted a video criticizing the government, security forces would attack your house and drag you away.”
Result of change of regime
There was a wave of happiness in Syria immediately after Assad was ousted from power. The regime’s prisons opened their doors, allowing families to be reunited with loved ones long thought dead. Assad’s immense wealth, lavish mansions, luxury cars, designer clothes and beautiful furniture, stood in stark contrast to the suffering endured by ordinary Syrians.”
Syria’s modern history has been affected by coups, military rebellions and authoritarianism. Since its independence in 1946, the country has never seen a stable democracy.
Corruption and economic inequality were the hallmarks of the Assad era. Mohammed Hassan recalls, “People suffered from low monthly salaries and extreme poverty. Even engineers and doctors had to take on multiple jobs to survive. Salaries did not increase in proportion to rising prices. People responsible did nothing for the public, while his children were born with ‘silver spoons in their mouths’.”
Economic conditions were severe during the Assad regime, and the movement also temporarily worsened the situation. “Prices have now begun to decline. The value of the dollar has fallen against the Turkish lira, and sanctions imposed during the Assad era will also be lifted. Although it is too early to say, there is hope,” Hassan Ibrahim said.
Lifestyle of ordinary people in Syria
Ahmed al-Sharif said, “Economic problems existed even before 2011, bribery was rampant. Military conscription has now ended, and removing harsh taxes will encourage people to work. While opening up the economy It will bring prosperity.”
“Salaries were extremely low, often as little as $20,” Abu Khalid said, describing economic pressure deliberately imposed by the regime. Basic goods were sold at inflated prices on the black market, which was controlled by regime cronies. Even gas and bread were rationed through a system designed to subjugate the population.”
Ahmed Al-Sharif believes that the country can develop into a normal, peaceful country. The new government is not yet fully established, and much depends on how it handles regional administration. But I think the future will be like any normal country, where people can live, work and travel in peace.
Discussion about secularism in Syria
The possibility of a secular Syria remains controversial. Ahmed Al-Sharif has doubts about this. He said, “Secularism did not really exist even during Assad’s rule. References to Islamic verses were made in the constitution. With HTS leading the new government, secularism seems impossible.”
Others like Mohammad Hasan are optimistic about it. “We are secular by nature. Achieving an inclusive Syria is possible, but it requires addressing major grievances and ensuring equal representation for minorities such as Kurds, Christians, Druze, Armenians and Alawites,” he said.
Nevertheless, the fear of sectarian persecution remains among Syria’s minority communities. HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known by his alias Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has attempted to reassure these groups, insisting that the new government will protect minorities. Nevertheless, incidents such as the burning of Alawite temples and Christmas trees have increased tensions, leading to recent protests in Latakia and Damascus.
building a new syria
The path to recovery will require rebuilding of key areas. Hassan Ibrahim highlighted agriculture and irrigation as important sectors that need immediate attention. He said, “It is necessary to revive the agriculture sector. Creating a single citizen country with access to goods and a policy of good relations with neighboring countries will bring stability here.”
Whereas Ahmed Al-Sharif stressed the importance of infrastructure. “Services like electricity, water and gas should be given priority. Security and civilian policing should replace the rebel-led system. It is also important to restore foreign relations and border control,” he said.
According to Mohammad Hasan, tourism is another path of hope. “Syria is one of the oldest countries in the world and contains two of the oldest cities. Reviving the tourism sector will help rebuild the economy and bring in much-needed foreign currency,” he said.