Young Syrians residing in Ireland express that they feel “as if a burden has been lifted” now that the Assad regime has been overthrown.
A week has passed since the Syrian opposition seized control of Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which had been in power for half a century.
RTÉ News interviewed young Syrians in Ireland about their experiences over the past week and their aspirations for Syria’s future.
Originally from Aleppo, she moved to Ireland with her family when she was just six months old.
“I will always be a proud Dubliner!” said Ms. Abouhajar. “I watched the regime’s downfall unfold at 2 am. The relief I feel is immense.
“There’s a surge of emotions within the Syrian community. Anger exists as well, for had we been united from the outset, we might have avoided the past 13 years.
“We have endured oppression for such an extended period. Even in Ireland, we had to be cautious with our words, lest family members still in Syria face repercussions. People weren’t afraid of death; they feared torture.
“I aspire to help rebuild Syria. We all have something valuable to contribute for the betterment of the country. While Ireland will always be my home, it would be wonderful to see my parents retire in Syria if they choose to.”
Abdul Shakerdi, 21, is a medical student at Trinity College Dublin.
“I was born in Ireland. My father worked here, and then we lived in Syria until I was about ten or eleven. We returned to Ireland in 2014.
“Honestly, the past week has been surreal. If someone had told me this would happen two weeks ago, I would have thought they were insane. We feel both overwhelmed and ecstatic.
“A significant weight has been lifted from our shoulders. Previously, when communicating with family in Syria, we had to use code names for the government. Fear was constant.
“Although we face a brief period of instability now that the Assad regime is gone, it’s crucial that we unite. People from diverse political and religious backgrounds need to come together to rebuild Syria.
“I believe in their capacity to recover. At least we now have a glimmer of hope; it’s not just a never-ending decline. Now, Syrians require basic human rights like food and water. That underscores how low the bar has been set by the regime.”
Suleyman Elterkavi, 37, relocated to Ireland from Homs in Syria only two months ago to pursue a Master’s in Humanitarian Action at University College Dublin.
“I am thrilled about Syria’s liberation and the overthrow of the Assad regime, which dominated the country for over 50 years. This marks a pivotal moment for the nation.
“The enthusiasm among the people is palpable, and they are transforming that enthusiasm into actionable steps on the ground to forge a new Syria.
“The reports from the prisons are harrowing. The experiences of those who were detained for so long are shocking. They are experiencing freedom for the first time after decades of imprisonment.
“Witnessing the torture instruments that were employed in the prisons is shocking for the entire world and clearly illustrates why Syrians risked everything to flee the brutality of Assad.
“In the past, there was no hope at all. But now, there’s hope for a new Syria and a bright future for its people.”
