“I’m very excited but also very overwhelmed. It’s an amazing feeling.” When Sawsan Abou Zainedin fled Bashar al-Assad’s rule greater than a decade in the past, she thought she would possibly by no means return. Now, after the autumn of the regime, she’s headed to her hometown in southern Syria to see her father for the primary time in seven years. While scenes of celebration like these happen throughout the nation, there’s additionally concern about what’s to come. “We cannot topple a dictator regime to go under a different one. These few months are fundamental, not just in our lives as individuals but also in the life of this country.” Abou Zainedin says her political activism in opposition to the previous authorities landed her in hassle, narrowly escaping arrest. As a part of the wave of six million Syrians who fled throughout the 13-year civil warfare, she sought asylum in the United Kingdom. She now leads a community of organizations that assist authorized and political rights for all Syrians. “Syria is ours and is not the property of the Assad family. We will not rest until we claim back our state of citizenship and democracy.” Abou Zainedin grew up right here in the Suwayda district, dwelling to a massive Druse group, certainly one of Syria’s many minority non secular teams. It was additionally one of many first locations the place the rebellion in opposition to Assad started in 2011. Many right here need to see a secular state that protects the pursuits of Syria’s various inhabitants. In early December, rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or H.T.S., overthrew 5 many years of Assad household rule. H.T.S. is an Islamist group previously affiliated with Al Qaeda. Since toppling the Assad regime, the group’s chief, Ahmed al-Shara, has signaled an openness to a extra inclusive authorities. People in Abou Zainedin’s hometown stay cautious. At a assembly with the non secular chief of the Druse in Syria, considerations concerning the new chapter shortly floor. “We have achieved something we all thought it was impossible to achieve. But lots of work lies ahead of us still. We are definitely going to engage with the interim government, and we’re hoping that they will be responsive to this.” What will occur subsequent below H.T.S. management is unknown, however for now the celebration continues.
