Ten years later, a political exile returns to Syria in transition

“I am very excited, but in addition very overwhelmed. It feels superb.” When Sausan Abu Zeinedin fled the rule of Bashar al-Assad greater than a decade in the past, she thought she would possibly by no means return. Now, after the autumn of the regime, she heads to her hometown in southern Syria to see her father for the primary time in seven years. Whereas scenes of celebration like these are taking place throughout the nation, there may be additionally concern about what lies forward. “We can not topple one dictatorial regime to go beneath one other.” These few months are basic not solely in our lives as people, but in addition within the lifetime of this nation. Abu Zeinedin says her political activism in opposition to the earlier authorities received her into bother, narrowly avoiding arrest. As a part of a wave of six million Syrians who fled the 13-year civil battle, she sought asylum within the UK. She now leads a community of organizations that assist the authorized and political rights of all Syrians. “Syria is ours and never the property of the Assad household. We is not going to relaxation till we reclaim our state of citizenship and democracy. Abu Zainedin grew up right here within the Suwayda neighborhood, dwelling to a big Druze group, one in all Syria’s many minority spiritual teams. It was additionally one of many first locations the place the rebellion in opposition to Assad started in 2011. Many right here need to see a secular state that protects the pursuits of Syria’s numerous inhabitants. In early December, rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, toppled 5 many years of rule by the Assad household. HTS is an Islamist group previously affiliated with Al Qaeda. Since toppling the Assad regime, the group’s chief, Ahmed al-Shara, has signaled openness to a extra inclusive authorities. Folks in Abu Zeinedin’s hometown stay cautious. In a gathering with the religious chief of the Druze in Syria, considerations in regards to the new chapter shortly surfaced. “We’ve got achieved one thing that all of us thought was unattainable to realize. However we nonetheless have quite a lot of work to do. We will certainly have interaction with the interim authorities and we hope that they may reply to this. What’s going to occur beneath HTS management is unknown, however for now the celebration continues.