the essential
This Sunday, in Gers, Syrian exiles watched in shock as the regime collapsed which forced them to flee their country. But joy also gave way to worry. Testimonials.
Najwa hesitated to speak. This is the first time she has dared to talk about life in Syria “before”. Before this Sunday, and the fall of the Assad clan, who repressed his country with an iron fist for 54 years. Like her husband Youssef, Najwa is so afraid that she does not want her name to appear, nor the place where she works. “I have family there, parents. And then I can come back to it. You never know. »
The couple only knew the Assad regime, a real education in terror. “On Sunday, I was happy to see Bachar fall, because it was finally freedom! We will be able to come back, visit our family, speak freely… It's a new story that will be written. »
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Youssef and Najwa left Syria to escape the war years ago. But the crushing of the revolution 7 years ago did not lead to improvements for Syrians governed by Bashar al-Assad, even though these areas were at peace. “Sunday, we were able to speak with our families on site. In 7 years, he has done nothing: there is nothing at all, nothing to eat, no electricity… And fear, always. For Bachar, it's been 7 years since it was time to leave! »
“What are they going to do?”
But Sunday has passed, and the news is pouring in, through social networks, family members, the news. Joy gave way to worry. “I have my father who lives there,” confides Yara, another Syrian who lives in Gers. I don't know what they could do to him. I'm very scared. » “They” are the new masters of Syria, an assembly of factions where the anti-Bashar from the start and more or less repentant jihadists coexist. “My family is Christian,” Yara breathes. Syria is multi-faith. But what are they going to do? »
Najwa, also a Christian, wonders how long freedom of expression will survive this victory. “The leader of this coalition is not alone. What will others do? »
A new Afghanistan
The couple also wonders what will remain of their native country next. She points out the attacks hitting Syrian soil from all sides: Israel, Türkiye, Kurdish army… “The army is destroyed. Syria will become a weak country, perhaps a fragmented, divided country. »
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For the moment, it is not possible to return to Syria. Many of their refugee friends in France announced on Sunday their desire to return immediately to Syria, before changing their minds. Like them, the couple fears seeing the country become a new Afghanistan. “Given what I have seen from the new government, I tell myself that everyone will be satisfied with the new regime, except the Syrian Christians! »
Najwa admits, however, that she is waiting for the dust to settle. “It will take at least a year. The country needs to change. The Assads were dictators. We are here for liberty, equality and fraternity. We would love to see this in Syria too! But it will be a long road. »
