Information of the Assad regime’s fall in Syria introduced Winnipeggers to tears and reignited their hopes for the nation.
Tens of 1000’s of Syrians are celebrating the autumn of President Bashar al-Assad, after rebels mentioned they entered town and toppled the longtime ruler. The insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied factions launched a lightning offensive on Nov. 27.
“We wish the world to know it is lastly the time to see a free Syria, and to say we’re prepared to open our hearts, our minds, every part to all neighbours, to the world to construct a brand new nation. It is so thrilling,” Maysoun Darweesh mentioned.
“It is past happiness. It is past pleasure. Each time I discuss it I really feel like I wish to cry. It is so superb.”
Darweesh, who’s the manager director of the Kurdish Initiative for Refugees in Winnipeg, grew up in Latakia, a metropolis on Syria’s west coast that lies alongside the Mediterranean Sea. She fled her dwelling nation in 2008 and spent just a few years in China earlier than arriving in Canada in December 2012.
She nonetheless has household in Latakia, together with a brother, aunts and uncles. Darweesh, 46, says she is aware of extra concerning the political change in Syria than they do.
“After I contact them it is a mixture of concern, pleasure.… They know for certain it is a new period however they’re ready,” she mentioned.
After enduring 13 years of civil struggle, Syrians stormed the presidential palace in Damascus, tearing up portraits of the toppled president on Sunday. Assad has fled to Moscow, in accordance with Russian state media.
Darweesh understands change won’t occur in a single day, and it’d take a number of years.
She needs to remind individuals of the significance of her homeland, and hopes the Canadian authorities — and governments of different nations — will present assist to Syria and spend money on rebuilding it for the longer term.
“The entire world ought to actually spend money on Syria. We can’t deny the significance of Syria as a rustic geographically, politically. Syria is a crucial geopolitical nation,” she mentioned.
She wish to see a authorities that represents all Syrians, one that can kind a brand new structure that secures justice and equality for all of its residents.
“We do not wish to see a dictatorship once more. We do not wish to see atrocities once more,” Darweesh mentioned.
‘Many occasions we misplaced that hope’
Like Darweesh, Shler Ali fled Syria greater than a decade in the past.
The co-owner of Daanook, a restaurant within the Change District that serves Syrian-inspired delicacies, grew up within the northeastern metropolis of Qamishli, which borders neighbouring Turkey, however spent the final 11 years of her time in Syria in Damascus.
Ali left her dwelling in June 2012 and was overseas the next month, finally arriving in Canada in June 2016. She by no means thought she’d have the possibility to return to Syria.
“Typically we had hope. Many occasions additionally we misplaced that hope. I by no means felt that I can return to Damascus and stroll there. I used to be so anxious that this dream will not occur, however now it can occur, and for certain I can again and stroll.
“I do know it will not be good and heaven from the primary second. Everyone knows that however we’re all going to work to construct our communities to re-integrate individuals,” Ali mentioned.
She has been in touch with a number of buddies all through Syria, and says a few of them even have a troublesome time believing that the Assad regime is over.
“I referred to as individuals after Assad was gone and so they could not consider it. They have been scared that I used to be telling them over the telephone. I mentioned, ‘get up, he is gone, we’re free. You may say it,'” Ali mentioned.
She too is aware of that change just isn’t imminent and that the rebuilding of Syrian society would require joint contributions over time from inside and outdoors the nation. However Ali needs her Syrian buddies to soak on this second of an Assad-free nation.
“There are a variety of reforms which might be wanted. There needs to be a variety of issues to be carried out in Syria. We’ll want plenty of assist, but in addition we give ourselves permission to only be glad for just a few days,” she mentioned.
“I feel we’re all glad. I do not suppose there’s any Syrian who just isn’t pleased with what’s going on now.”
A celebratory gathering is being held on the steps of the provincial legislature on Sunday afternoon.
WATCH | Syrian militant group overthrows the Assad regime:
The biggest rebel group in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, has its origins in al-Qaeda and it’s thought-about a terrorist group by Canada. Its chief Abu Mohammed al-Golani spoke to a crowd at Ummayad Mosque in Damascus, after Syrian rebels introduced that that they had ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
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