After 10 years, political exiles return to transitional Syria

“I’m very excited, but very overwhelmed. It’s a great feeling.” When Sawsan Abou Zainedine fled Bashar al-Assad’s regime more than a decade ago, she feared she might never return. I thought not. Now, after the fall of the regime, she is heading to her hometown in southern Syria to see her father for the first time in seven years. While such celebrations are being held across the country, there are also concerns about what will happen next. “We cannot overthrow one dictatorship and move on to another. These past few months are fundamental not only for our individual lives, but also for the life of this country.” Abu・Mr. Zaineddin says that his political activities against the previous government got him into trouble and that he narrowly escaped arrest. She sought asylum in Britain as part of the 6 million Syrians who fled during the 13-year civil war. She currently heads a network of organizations supporting the legal and political rights of all Syrians. “Syria is ours, not the property of the Assad family. We will not rest until we regain civil rights and democracy.” Abu Zainedine is one of Syria’s many religious minorities. I grew up here in the Suweida district, which is home to a large Druze community. It is also one of the places where the uprising against Assad first began in 2011. Many here want to establish a secular state that protects the interests of Syria’s diverse population. In early December, rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew the Assad family’s 50-year rule. HTS is an Islamist group that was once affiliated with al-Qaeda. Since overthrowing Assad, the group’s leader, Ahmed al-Shara, has shown openness to a more inclusive government. People in Abu Zaineddin’s hometown remain wary. Concerns about the new chapter quickly surfaced in meetings with Druze spiritual leaders in Syria. “We have achieved what everyone thought was impossible. However, there is still much work ahead of us. We will definitely work with the transitional government. It is unclear what will happen next under HTS’ leadership, but for now the celebration continues.