Millions of Syrians Celebrate End of Civil War, but Uncertainty Looms
Millions of Syrians around the world are rejoicing at the sudden fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime and the end of 13 years of civil war. The war came to a rapid and stunning end earlier this month, after Syrian rebel forces swept through the country and into its capital of Damascus in less than two weeks of fighting.
A Difficult Decision
Now, those Syrian refugees displaced by years of conflict are faced with a difficult decision: whether to return home to a Syria that is free but in ruins, or to remain in their host countries.
Refugees in Limbo
For many, the decision to repatriate depends on where they now live. Millions of Syrian refugees reside in countries bordering Syria, including Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan, and face precarious conditions in crowded and destitute refugee camps. Others are internally displaced within Syria.
Uncertainty in the Future
But more than a million others have been taken in by European countries, the UK, the United States, and Canada, and may want to wait and see what comes next. They may be eager to reestablish ties with family and friends, but hesitant to uproot their families, including children who may have no memory of life in Syria.
Government Policies
Some countries are not waiting for refugees to decide for themselves, or for Syria to rebuild. Austria, which is home to about 100,000 Syrian migrants, has already announced deportation plans. Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the UK have suspended asylum applications from Syrians, and France is considering similar action.
Challenges Ahead
But Syria’s future is far from certain. The country’s economy is in tatters, inflation is high, and public infrastructure has been decimated. Basic amenities like clean water, electricity, and housing are difficult to find. The coalition of rebel groups that overthrew the Assad regime is led by an Islamist militant group, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has ties to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. HTS is designated by the US and the UN as a terrorist group, but has also broken with al-Qaeda and attempted to establish itself as a legitimate actor in Syria.
Conclusion
As the dust settles, the world is left to grapple with the implications of this historic moment. The decision to return to Syria is a difficult one, fraught with uncertainty and complexity. As one Syrian refugee, Amany Qaddour, a humanitarian worker and associate faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, noted, "This is a moment in history, this is a moment in time for people… let’s let them celebrate, rejoice. Feel the joy. Feel the pain. Feel the suffering. Feel the loss and the family separation, the detention, the persecution. This is a bittersweet moment for a lot of people."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current situation in Syria?
A: The war in Syria has ended, but the country is still in ruins. The economy is in tatters, inflation is high, and public infrastructure has been decimated.
Q: What is the situation like for Syrian refugees?
A: Millions of Syrian refugees are living in countries bordering Syria, including Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan, and face precarious conditions in crowded and destitute refugee camps. Others are internally displaced within Syria.
Q: What is the situation like for Syrian refugees in Europe?
A: More than a million Syrian refugees have been taken in by European countries, including the UK, the United States, and Canada, and may want to wait and see what comes next.
Q: What is the current situation with government policies?
A: Some countries, including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the UK, have suspended asylum applications from Syrians, and France is considering similar action.