Sally Barenger – In a dramatic turn of events, the Syrian ruler has been removed from office, signalling a major turning point in the country’s violent past. The long-serving leader’s ouster has unleashed a whirlwind of speculation, not least about whether the millions of Syrians who fled during years of conflict will now return home.
Syria had been torn apart by civil war for over a decade, displacing more than six million people, including into countries all over the world. Although some found relative stability in their new host nations, countless others were left in hardship, desperate for the opportunity to return. Ousting the president, though, cuts against the grain of a rebuilding effort that on the ground is messier than it may seem.
Some Syrians outside the country were cautiously optimistic, seeing the leader’s downfall as a possible end to the oppressive regime they fled from. “It’s what we have been waiting for,” said Lina H., a refugee in Germany. Buy a print or license this image “If real change comes, I will go back and help rebuild my country.” Others are more skeptical, worried about instability or the rise of new power struggles.
Inside Syria, the situation is precarious. While some might celebrate the president’s overthrow, it has left a vacuum of power. This is a grim picture given rival factions, festering conflicts and a ravaged infrastructure. Many fear that with no clear successor to take his place, there will be more chaos, not less.
Countries hosting Syrian refugees are also keeping a close eye on developments. European and Middle Eastern leaders have expressed hope and apprehension. Although repatriation might relieve some of the pressure on already overstretched resources, the question is whether Syria will be safe enough to allow large-scale returns in the foreseeable future.
And despite the upheaval, not everyone is rushing to the decision.” Some refugees say they need tangible guarantees — of security, shelter and employment — before they consider returning. “We lost everything,” said Omar K., a father of three who lives in Jordan. “I cannot put my family through more uncertainty.
In the end, the future is unclear at best. But whether that chapter — if it is indeed the first of a new one — will hold promise or continued misery for Syria remains uncertain. For now, the return question remains open, rudderless.
