ShareKUWAIT: After years of fleeing a life, they described as “hell” under a regime they deemed “dictatorial” in every sense, Syrians in Kuwait shared mixed emotions about the future following the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s government. While initial relief was clear, it has since been overshadowed by uncertainty and sorrow over the atrocities that have come to light.
“At first, I was happy, but despite the joy and newfound freedom, I am concerned,” said 58-year-old Tarek, who is from Daraa, and has worked in Kuwait for three decades to support his family back home. He pointed to the Zionist entity’s exploitation of the chaotic situation and incursions into their land, with its forces moving into parts of southern Syria to capture the buffer zone. “There is a sense of vulnerability because there is no strong leadership giving orders to defend our country. It feels like a game played by global powers.” This sense of fragility contrasts with the optimism expressed by 38-year-old Hassan Kilani from Hama, who last visited Syria in 2009. “The situation can’t get worse than what we’ve endured. The previous period was the worst thing a nation or individual could experience,” he stated.
Echoing his sentiments, 60-year-old Ahmed Sourour from Damascus reflected on the profound suffering endured under the regime, recounting how his tears flowed as the extent of people’s suffering was recently brought to light through media channels. In particular, he referred to the harrowing images of prisoners who emerged malnourished, sleep-deprived, and brutally tortured. “Entire families were executed in their homes, children included, not to mention the countless incidents of rape. There isn’t a single positive memory to recall from this regime,” he said.
Memories of loss resonate deeply with Kilani, who recounted the disappearance of his uncle in 2014 after being arrested without justification. “Nothing can replace what we lost,” he said. Still, he clings to hope, especially with recent news of some prisoners, long presumed dead, being released. His ambitions to return to his country have grown stronger since Al-Assad’s fall. Positive signs shared by relatives in Syria, such as the restoration of electricity and water, have fueled his aspirations for Syria’s future.
Adding to this optimism, Sourour pointed to plans for a 400 percent public sector salary increase, though he tempered his expectations. “We don’t seek a luxurious lifestyle; we want a life of dignity,” he said. Before the fall of the regime, Tarek said that most of the country was living below the poverty line, with some resorting to burning tree branches to stay warm or to cook. “Salaries in Syria before were equivalent to just five Kuwaiti dinars, barely enough for food, drink, and housing.” Sourour said, “No one, not a single person, could manage on that.”
Despite the widespread joy, skepticism lingers. Abdelsalam Moustafa, 60, from Halab, who hasn’t visited home in eight years, acknowledged some of the government’s “positive gestures,” such as suspending mandatory military service and providing essential supplies. However, he questioned their long-term commitment: “Will they stick to their promises forever?”
For Tarek, the focus remains on security and basic needs rather than political ideology. “I want my children to go to school safely. I don’t care what the new rulers’ religion is, as long as we live in peace,” he said. Meanwhile, Moustafa emphasized the importance of rebuilding a strong army to protect Syria’s borders. “The old regime was oppressive, but it safeguarded our borders. Now, we are in the unknown,” he noted, echoing Tarek’s concerns about foreign interference.
Kilani, on the other hand, prioritized freedom to criticize the shortcomings of the government, a right that Syrians didn’t have under Al-Assad. “We want freedom of speech. We don’t want the glorification of leaders or their statues dominating every corner. Enough of that nonsense,” he declared, appealing to the new government for a break from the past.
