Lessons from Syria: Key Insights for a Changing World

After the Syrian revolution, I often asked people, “Was it worth it? What did we learn from everything that happened?” I asked these questions to Yusef in Gaziantep, Turkey, in 2023. At just 27, Yusef had already seen and experienced so much. He dropped out of school in Aleppo at 12 to work. When the revolution started, he joined the protests but later fought with an Islamist group after witnessing the brutal actions of Bashar al-Assad’s forces against unarmed civilians. He survived a rocket attack that claimed his arm and leg, and was even thought dead until he woke up in a black plastic bag on the sidewalk.

Yusef left fighting behind. He opened a small shop in Turkey and volunteered to help others in need. But when I met him, a recent earthquake had destroyed his home and shop. He was contemplating a risky journey to Europe, but he didn’t have the funds. His prosthetics were basic, and he admitted he couldn’t swim well, which made crossing the water even more daunting.

When I asked Yusef my questions, he took a puff from his cigarette and replied with a bitter smile, “We taught the world that if you’re unfit for something, don’t try.” He paused and added, “Hamdallah,” meaning “praise be to God,” as if to say that their suffering had become a lesson for others.

His skepticism was understandable. In 2023, Syria was still in turmoil. During the early days of the Arab Spring, people screamed for change. But the regime responded with threats—choose Bashar al-Assad or see the country burn. Sadly, he stayed and set Syria ablaze.

For over ten years, Assad maintained his grip on power, using brutal tactics while facing little consequence. Recently, he began to be welcomed back into international circles, even as many knew Syria was still far from safe. Refugees continued to live in uncertainty, while the world seemed eager to forget the reality Syrians faced.

Source link

Syria,Assad, Bashar al-,Middle East and North Africa Unrest (2010- )