UK Syrians Express Mixed Emotions Following Assad Regime’s Collapse

“I would love to go to visit, to somehow dream of a new place, of a new Syria,” Issam Kourbaj conveyed to the BBC. Kourbaj, an artist who has resided in the UK for over 30 years, is now, at 61 years old, contemplating a return to his native country. For decades, he was unable to communicate freely with his family in Syria, due to concerns about potential dangerous repercussions for them. He remarked, “This moment has been long awaited but I am really in two minds,” adding, “In one I am relieved, and in the other one I am cautious, because one does not know what is coming next.” He further described the situation as “a very, very emotional place, but also very uncertain.” Mr. Kourbaj is among numerous Syrians across the UK who are welcoming the downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s government. The ousted Syrian president, who is currently in Moscow after being granted asylum by Russia, fled the nation after his administration succumbed to a swift rebel offensive on Sunday morning. A period of intense emotion followed for 24 hours, with Syrian diaspora members gathering in cities such as Belfast, Manchester, and London to dance and sing. The BBC interviewed several Syrians living in the UK about their sentiments following these developments. Since 2011, Mr. Kourbaj’s artistic endeavors have served as a response to the conflict in his homeland. His work is part of the permanent collection at the British Museum, and he has an exhibition scheduled this year at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge. Mr. Kourbaj stated that he and his family in Syria had to communicate for years using phone calls filled with “codes” and “silences.” He explained, “I then need to decipher these codes and make something out of it,” adding, “But of course, I cannot overdo it, because I am always worried how this might affect them and how they might actually be treated, because the regime is a very brutal regime.” The BBC also spoke with Syrian national Rama Terkmani, 20, who is studying medicine at the University of Central Lancashire. She has lived in Liverpool with her mother, father, and two older brothers for nine years. She declared, “Finally my country is free.” Terkmani shared, “My cousin, who’s 14, lost his mum and dad in prison. He’s still in Syria.” She continued, “My brother was in prison when he was 16 up until age 20, when he came to the UK, and he’s been mentally affected.” She also noted, “My uncle is still in Syria. I spoke to him today and he told me a lot of things that he wasn’t able to tell me before.” Concluding, she said, “But now he can speak freely.” Ms. Terkmani indicated that while her family “feels much better – safe,” they do not yet feel able to return. She stated, “We still don’t know what will happen but we’re going to have a big party now.” However, for some, the prospect of returning home evokes painful memories. Amneh Khoulani is a human rights activist who states she was tortured in a Syrian prison and came to the UK in 2016. She informed the BBC that she had barely slept for several days. She welcomed Assad’s downfall but confessed she could not help but think of her three brothers, who were also imprisoned by the regime. She has not seen them since 2011, and their whereabouts remain unknown. Regarding her feelings this week, Ms. Khoulani commented, “It is something very, very difficult to explain.” She added, “Our dream’s come true, but I still do not get any information about my brothers.” Now a UK citizen, Ms. Khoulani indicated her probable return to Syria for the first time in a decade to witness the country’s rebuilding. Nevertheless, the idea of going home is “very painful,” she stated. “Every street, every town in my country, every place, every shop, everything reminds me of my brothers.” With tears, she remarked, “They don’t even have a grave.” Meanwhile, Rim Turkmani, director of the Syria Conflict Research Programme at the London School of Economics, dreams of visiting her home country again. She has not seen her family in Syria for 14 years. She explained, “I haven’t been allowed in,” and continued, “Just seeing my family, my town that I grew up in… I was dreaming of this every day.” But Dr. Turkmani anticipates future challenges. She commented, “We’re waiting to see how the logistics are going to work,” adding, “It’s still not possible to fly to Syria, so the airport is still closed. It’s extremely difficult to go through Lebanon right now.” She also raised questions: “My Syrian passport expired 10 years ago. Can I use a Western passport? Do I need a visa? Who’s going to give me this visa?” She concluded, “There are so many unclear questions, but it’s going to be very emotional for me.” Dr. Turkmani characterized Assad’s overthrow as “incredible” but noted that “the future is unclear.” She expressed, “I feel I need to be there to believe what’s going on.” Thousands of Syrians attempted to commence the arduous journey back to their residences on Sunday, resulting in extensive queues forming to enter the nation. Images depicted hundreds of Syrians with luggage and bags assembled at the Lebanese border. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has indicated initial signs of Syrians returning. Dr. Turkmani asserted that Syria’s prosperity hinges on people returning, emphasizing that “the most important demographic” required would be young men. She elaborated, “These are the men who are usually taken for conscription, and they will leave the country to avoid conscription.” She continued, “But we need to get the economy up and running so that there will be jobs for those people who are going back, so that they have money to fix their houses that have been damaged during the conflict.” She concluded, “And, of course, that would ease the tension in the neighbouring countries that was arising because of the presence of a large number of refugees.” Renad Soda participated in festivities in Belfast on Sunday evening. She relocated to Northern Ireland nine years ago, at the age of seven. Renad Soda conveyed to BBC News NI, “We couldn’t believe it, the feeling is unbelievable.” She added, “I couldn’t sleep all night watching the news, I’m really happy and I wish I can go back as soon as possible, as soon as everything calms down.” She explained, “Where I was living was being bombed and it was dangerous for us, my family just wanted us to be safe.” She concluded, “I’m sure that everybody is so happy celebrating this amazing news after so many years.” Mazen Haseno assisted in organizing the demonstration in Belfast. He stated that most Syrians residing in Northern Ireland are “against the regime” and “had to leave because they feared for their lives.” He expressed, “[We are] over the moon – so, so happy.” He continued, “Syrian people cannot describe the feeling. It’s like a really warm feeling inside.” Prior to his arrival in Northern Ireland eight years ago, Mr. Haseno recounted being imprisoned and “tortured by the Syrian regime” for two and a half years. He noted that many Syrians had been traumatized by Assad, stating, “Finally he’s gone now, after 14 years, hopefully we will have a democratic country now.” He plans to go back to Syria “as soon as possible, when it’s safe.”