A civil war can cause so many forms of trauma and everyone suffers from their own wounds. Maybe the loss of a loved one. Maybe having experienced violence. Even the memory of what life used to be can haunt you. Syrians cope in a lot of different ways, except therapy. We find our own solutions, commonly to laugh at the absurdity of it all. To me, having to rely on the help of other people, without having anything to offer back, was the worst thing. That is why, when I one day found a lone kitten on the side of the road, I felt some strange sense of strength. To this small creature, I could become a savior. Said and done, I brought him home. I took an old box and put an old towel inside so that he could stay warm and feel safe. I would not let anything happen him. In the beginning I would carry him around in the pocket of my hoodie, but each day he grew and at one point he would not fit anymore!
The feeling of being able to help someone was what kept me going through my own hardships. I lost my childhood and I will never get it back, but being able to save his has given me comfort. Now, when the war is over, I realized that he also helped me. Both in regards of getting through the difficult times, but also to see a brighter future.
Today, my dream is to open a sanctuary for small animals and help them receive a more beautiful life. They also deserve a second chance at a life they did not choose. That is why my trauma has become my therapy and my therapy has become a passion that I hope will be a small contribution to the beautiful future of Syria.
After long years of forced displacement that pushed thousands of young Syrians to undertake dangerous journeys through forests and seas, many now face a new dilemma following the victory of the Syrian revolution: should they return to their homeland or remain in exile?
Countless Syrians endured enormous hardships to reach Europe, losing their savings, risking their lives, and in some cases, losing loved ones along the way. Many traveled illegally through forests, suffering hunger, fear, and bitter cold. While some managed to rebuild their lives in host countries, the decision of whether to go back to Syria remains deeply complicated.
Voices from Exile
Ahmad, a young man who settled in Germany, recalls:
“I reached here after immense hardship. I crossed forests and mountains, survived by eating leaves, and spent huge sums of money to get to Germany. Now, after the revolution’s victory, I face a difficult choice: staying far from my family or returning to them. But the future of Syria is still uncertain. I have a job here, and I don’t know if I’d find one back home. For now, I prefer to stay until things become clearer.”
Khaled expresses a different perspective:
“Even though I’ve gotten used to life in Germany, I prefer to return to my homeland. I miss my family and my village, and I will go back as soon as possible, regardless of the circumstances.”
For Mohannad, financial stability is the priority:
“I long for Syria and hope to return soon, but I want to stay longer in Europe so I can save enough money to rebuild the house that was destroyed and prepare a place where my family and I can live again.”
Fatima, a mother of three living in the Netherlands, focuses on her children’s future:
“I don’t plan to return now. Education in Syria is unstable, and I want to ensure a dignified life for my children. For that reason, I’ve decided to remain here, at least for the near future.”
Between Dream and Reality
These voices reflect the natural struggle faced by Syrians abroad. Their hearts remain tied to their homeland, yet the reality on the ground is still harsh—politically, economically, and socially. Many towns remain without homes, schools, or basic infrastructure. Families continue to live in tents, despite relative security returning to some areas.
Caught between the dream of going home and the stability they’ve found in exile, Syrians abroad remain torn between two difficult choices. For now, they wait for the day when the rubble is cleared, and Syria is rebuilt into a safe and welcoming home for its people—both those inside and those longing to return from afar.
السوريون في المهجر بين خيار العودة والبقاء بعد انتصار الثورة
بعد سنوات طويلة من النزوح والتهجير القسري الذي دفع آلاف الشباب السوريين إلى ركوب طرق الهجرة غير الشرعية عبر الغابات والبحار، يعيش اليوم هؤلاء المغتربون حالة من الحيرة والتساؤل حول مستقبلهم بعد انتصار الثورة السورية.
فالكثير منهم تكبّدوا خسائر كبيرة خلال رحلة الوصول إلى أوروبا، سواء بالمال أو بالمخاطر التي واجهوها في الطرق الوعرة حيث فقد عدد من الشباب حياتهم بسبب الجوع والبرد وصعوبة الطريق. ومع ذلك، استطاع قسم منهم أن يبدأ حياة جديدة في دول اللجوء، لكنّ قرار العودة إلى الوطن ما زال صعباً ومعقّداً.
أصوات من قلب الغربة
يقول أحمد، أحد الشباب الذين استقروا في ألمانيا:
“وصلت بعد عناء طويل، قطعت الغابات والجبال، أكلت من أوراق الشجر، وأنفقت الكثير من المال حتى وصلت إلى هنا. واليوم مع انتصار الثورة يراودني شعور صعب: إما أن أبقى بعيداً عن أهلي أو أعود إليهم، لكن الأمور غير واضحة ومستقبل سوريا ما يزال مجهولاً. لدي عمل هنا ولا أعلم إن كنت سأجد عملاً في سوريا، لذلك أفضل البقاء حالياً حتى تستقر الأوضاع.”
أما خالد، فيعبّر عن موقف مختلف قائلاً:
“رغم أنني اعتدت على الحياة في ألمانيا، إلا أنني أفضل العودة إلى وطني. لقد اشتقت لأهلي وقريتي، وسأعود في أقرب وقت مهما كانت الظروف.”
ويضيف مهند، مغترب آخر:
“أشتاق إلى سوريا وأتمنى العودة سريعاً، لكنني أفضل البقاء فترة أطول في أوروبا حتى أوفّر المال اللازم لبناء منزل جديد بعد أن دمّر النظام بيتنا، وحتى أستطيع الاستقرار مع عائلتي هناك.”
من جانبها، ترى فاطمة، أم لثلاثة أولاد مقيمة في هولندا، أن الأولوية هي لمستقبل أبنائها:
“لا أفكر بالعودة حالياً، فالتعليم في سوريا غير مستقر، وأنا أريد أن أوفّر حياة كريمة لأولادي. لذلك قررت البقاء هنا على الأقل في الفترة القادمة.”
بين الحلم والواقع
هذه الشهادات تعبّر عن حيرة طبيعية يعيشها السوريون في المهجر. فالوطن يظل حاضراً في قلوبهم مهما ابتعدوا، لكن واقع سوريا اليوم ما يزال صعباً على مختلف الأصعدة: الاقتصادية والسياسية والأمنية. فالكثير من القرى ما زالت بلا بيوت أو مدارس أو بنية تحتية، وما زالت العائلات تقيم في الخيام رغم عودة جزء من الأمان إلى بعض المناطق.
وبين الرغبة بالعودة والبحث عن الاستقرار في الغربة، يبقى السوري المغترب ممزقاً بين خيارين أحلاهما مُرّ، بانتظار أن يزول الركام ويُعاد بناء الوطن ليكون حضناً آمناً لأبنائه في الداخل والخارج.
Osman Osman, a student from the countryside of Idlib, was born into a city that, since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, has endured relentless shelling, destruction, and forced displacement. From his earliest years, Osman knew the meaning of fear and constant movement, fleeing from one village to another in search of safety, a safety that rarely existed in Idlib throughout the long years of war.
Despite the ongoing bombardment and devastation, Osman never abandoned his dream of pursuing an education. His schoolbooks were always the first items he carried with him on every journey of displacement, clinging to learning as his only refuge. Yet the harshest blow he faced was not hunger or exile, but the loss of his closest friend, who had accompanied him throughout elementary school during those years of flight and study, only to be killed by regime shelling. That moment left Osman with a deep wound, but also with a stronger determination: he vowed to continue his education and to fulfill the dream of becoming a doctor who could heal the wounds of his family and loved ones.
Osman persevered through all hardships, excelling in high school and earning his place at the Faculty of Medicine at Idlib University. His university years were filled with uncertainty; every morning he left for class without knowing if he would return, as shelling over Idlib never ceased. Many of his classmates fell as martyrs along the way, among them Muhammad, Nour, Khaled, and Hassan, friends who once sat beside him in lectures but could not complete the journey.
Nevertheless, Osman remained steadfast, driven by his vision of a medical degree not merely as a profession but as a mission. Today, after long years of persistence amidst the horrors of war, Osman stands at the threshold of graduation, ready to begin a new chapter in his life, the realization of a dream that began in a tent of displacement.
Osman says:
“These have been long years and a difficult mission, but I have reached the final station before achieving my dream. The greatest motivation for my perseverance has been my friends and companions. I swore to carry their dreams as I carry their memories in my heart. The dream I once envisioned is no longer mine alone—it now belongs to them all: to the souls of Muhammad, Nour, Khaled, Hassan, and the others who shared my journey but left too soon.”
من خيمة النزوح إلى طبيب يداوي الجروح
وُلد الطالب عثمان عثمان في ريف إدلب، المدينة التي شهدت مع انطلاقة الثورة السورية أعتى أشكال القصف والتدمير والتهجير. منذ طفولته، عرف عثمان معنى الخوف والتنقل الدائم من قرية إلى أخرى، باحثًا عن مكان آمن لم يكن موجودًا على أرض إدلب لسنوات طويلة.
ورغم القصف المتواصل والدمار المستمر، لم يتخلَّ عثمان يومًا عن حلمه في متابعة دراسته. كانت كتبه المدرسية هي أول ما يحمله معه في كل رحلة نزوح، متمسكًا بالعلم كملاذ وحيد أمام واقع مأساوي. لكن أقسى ما عاشه لم يكن النزوح ولا الجوع، بل فقدان صديقه المقرّب، الذي رافقه طوال سنوات المرحلة الابتدائية في التهجير والدراسة حتى خطفته قذائف النظام، ليترك في قلب عثمان جرحًا عميقًا لكنه أيضًا كان الدافع الأكبر للاستمرار. عندها أقسم عثمان أن يحقق حلمه في أن يصبح طبيبًا يداوي جراح أهله وأحبته.
واصل عثمان طريقه رغم الخسارات والآلام، واجتاز المرحلة الثانوية بتفوق، ليلتحق بكلية الطب في جامعة إدلب. كانت أيامه الجامعية مليئة بالتحديات، إذ لم يكن يدري كل صباح وهو يغادر منزله إن كان سيعود حيًّا في ظل القصف الذي لم يهدأ. كثير من زملائه سقطوا شهداء خلال تلك السنوات، مثل محمد، ونور، وخالد، وحسن، وغيرهم من الأصدقاء الذين رافقوه في مقاعد الدراسة ورحلوا قبل أن يكملوا الطريق.
ومع ذلك، ظل عثمان صامدًا، يحلم بشهادة الطب، ويرى فيها رسالة لا مجرد مهنة. واليوم، وبعد سنوات طويلة من المثابرة وسط أهوال الحرب، يصل عثمان إلى ختام دراسته في كلية الطب، ليبدأ مرحلة جديدة من حياته، مرحلة تحقيق الحلم الذي حمله معه منذ خيمة النزوح.
يقول عثمان:
“لقد كانت سنوات طويلة ومهمة صعبة، ولكنني وصلت إلى آخر محطة قبل تحقيق حلمي. كان الدافع الأكبر لصبري هم أصدقائي ورفاق دربي. أقسمت أن أحمل أحلامهم كما حملت ذكراهم في قلبي. الحلم الذي حلمت به لم يعد لي وحدي، بل أصبح لهم جميعًا، لأرواح محمد ونور وخالد وحسن وغيرهم ممن رحلوا وبقوا معي في كل خطوة.”
The journey of education in northern Syria has been one of the most difficult and painful experiences of the Syrian conflict. Since the first years of the revolution, students in the region have lived through bombardment, repeated displacement, and constant fear for their lives. In such conditions, pursuing higher education seemed almost impossible, and the idea of a stable academic future appeared beyond reach.
It was in this environment of destruction and uncertainty that Idlib University was founded in 2015. The university represented a glimmer of hope for thousands of young Syrians, but its establishment was accompanied by immense challenges. Students pursued their studies under the threat of shelling and airstrikes, and on several occasions the campus itself was bombed while classes were in session. The trauma of war was compounded by the uncertainty of the future, as the lack of international recognition for Idlib University raised questions about the value of its degrees and the professional opportunities awaiting its graduates.
Despite these hardships, the students of Idlib University held firmly to their right to education. Through perseverance and resilience, they continued their studies and built a culture of academic commitment even under the harshest circumstances.
Today, after years of struggle, the students of Idlib University have transformed from victims of fear and displacement into recognized academic achievers. Their presence is now visible across Syrian territories, especially in the field of medicine, where many graduates are pursuing specializations in hospitals throughout the country. Others have taken on significant roles in educational and medical institutions, proving their competence and excellence on both academic and professional levels.
Voicing the personal journey of these students, “Qader”, a final-year medical student at Idlib University, shares:
“As I approach the end of my journey at the Faculty of Medicine in Idlib University—a journey marked by moments of bombardment, displacement, fear for the future, and the struggle of non-recognition—I now stand, together with all my fellow students, on the verge of graduation with pride and honor. This university has become a badge of dignity on the chest of every one of its students, proudly carried into both national and international arenas.”
The story of Idlib University and its students is more than a chapter in the history of Syrian education; it is a story of determination, endurance, and hope. It reflects the ability of young Syrians to rise above war and destruction, to embrace knowledge, and to turn suffering into light that illuminates the future of an entire generation.
طلاب جامعة إدلب.. من القصف والتهجير إلى منارات العلم
لم تكن مسيرة التعليم في شمال سوريا سهلة على الإطلاق، فقد عاش الطلاب منذ بدايات الثورة السورية ظروفاً بالغة القسوة، تمثلت في القصف المستمر والتهجير المتكرر وفقدان الاستقرار. في هذا الواقع المأساوي، كان من الصعب أن يحلم الشباب بمتابعة دراستهم الجامعية أو أن يرسموا لأنفسهم مستقبلاً واضح المعالم.
وسط هذه التحديات، تأسست جامعة إدلب عام 2015 لتكون بارقة أمل لآلاف الطلاب. غير أن الطريق لم يكن معبّداً؛ فقد عانى الطلاب من شتى أنواع المآسي، إذ تعرضت الجامعة أكثر من مرة للقصف أثناء وجود طلابها داخل الحرم الجامعي، مما جعل مواصلة الدراسة محفوفة بالمخاطر. وإلى جانب القصف والتهجير، كان هناك هاجس آخر لا يقل خطورة، وهو الخوف من المستقبل نتيجة عدم الاعتراف الدولي بالجامعة، ما جعل الكثيرين يتساءلون: هل ستُحتَرم شهاداتهم؟ وهل ستُفتح لهم أبواب العمل والتخصص؟
لكن رغم هذه التحديات، أثبت طلاب جامعة إدلب صموداً استثنائياً، وتمسكوا بحقهم في التعلم. ومع مرور السنوات وتطور الظروف، أصبحت الجامعة جزءاً من منظومة التعليم العالي السورية المعترف بها، لتفتح آفاقاً جديدة أمام طلابها.
اليوم، وبعد سنوات من النضال، تحوّل طلاب إدلب من حالة الخوف والضياع إلى حضور علمي ومهني لافت. فقد برز خريجوها في مختلف التخصصات، وعلى رأسها كلية الطب البشري، حيث بدأ كثير من طلابها دراساتهم التخصصية في مشافي المحافظات السورية، وأثبتوا كفاءتهم ومستواهم العالي. كما أن عدداً منهم يشغل اليوم مواقع مهمة في المؤسسات التعليمية والطبية، مؤكدين أن مسيرة الجامعة لم تتوقف عند حدود الجغرافيا أو التحديات السياسية.
ويعبّر الطالب “قادر”، وهو في السنة الأخيرة من كلية الطب البشري بجامعة إدلب، عن هذه التجربة قائلاً:
“مع اقتراب نهاية رحلتي في كلية الطب البشري في جامعة إدلب التي عشت فيها لحظات صعبة من القصف والتهجير إلى الخوف من المستقبل وعدم الاعتراف بجامعة إدلب، ها أنا الآن وجميع طلاب جامعة إدلب سنتخرج من الجامعة بفخر واعتزاز بهذه الجامعة التي أصبحت وسام شرف على صدر كل طالب من طلابها يتباهى به في كل المحافل الدولية والمحلية.”
إن قصة جامعة إدلب وطلابها ليست مجرد تجربة أكاديمية، بل هي حكاية إرادة وصمود، ورسالة بأن الشباب السوري قادر، مهما واجه من قصف وتهجير وتحديات، أن يحوّل المأساة إلى منارات للعلم والمعرفة تضيء طريق المستقبل.
From the very first moments of the Syrian revolution, women were never mere spectators of events; they were an essential part of the revolution and a cornerstone of the Syrian people’s struggle. She is the mother of the martyr, his sister, his wife, and his daughter. Women paid a heavy price in tears and suffering, yet they remained steadfast and resilient, protecting their homes, raising their children, teaching in schools, and tending to the wounded in hospitals and field clinics.
Syrian women played multiple roles: the nurturing mother who bore the burdens of displacement and exile, the teacher who continued her mission despite bombardment, the doctor and nurse who stood beside the injured, and the fighter who took up arms to defend her homeland, offering her blood for the sake of freedom.
History has recorded unforgettable names of Syrian women who gave their lives for liberty, among them:
Martyr Suad Kiari, who fell while defending her land against the oppressive regime.
Martyr Joud, who fought until the very moment of her death. Just minutes before she was killed when her home was struck by regime missiles, she wrote on her Facebook page:
“O Allah, goodness in every choice, light in every darkness, ease in every hardship, and reality for all that we hope for. O Allah, by the beauty of Your paradise, show me the beauty of what is to come in my life, grant me what I wish, and expand my heart… O Allah, grant us contentment that makes our hearts peaceful, our worries fleeting, and our trials easy.”
Martyr Iman, a young teacher who was killed alongside her students under bombardment, symbolizing the sacrifices of Syria’s educators.
Martyr Samer, a Quran teacher who instilled faith in the hearts of her students before joining the ranks of the martyrs.
Alongside the martyrs stand heroic mothers who embody endurance and sacrifice. Among them is Um Ahmad, who lost five of her sons on the path to freedom, yet remained steadfast, holding her head high with pride, declaring that the blood of her children is a trust she carries, and that she will remain loyal to their cause until the revolution’s goals are fulfilled.
Syrian women were never just victims of harsh circumstances; they were partners in shaping history. Their patience under siege, their resilience in the face of bombardment, and their work across all fields made them symbols of the Syrian revolution and living examples of sacrifice and courage.
Thus, Syrian women have proven that they are not only half of society but also its driving force, its resisting voice, and its enduring spirit. The future of a free Syria cannot be complete without their active participation in all spheres of life.
المرأة السورية ودورها في ظل الثورة السورية
منذ اللحظة الأولى لانطلاق الثورة السورية، لم تكن المرأة مجرد متفرجة على الأحداث، بل كانت جزءًا أصيلًا من الثورة، وركنًا أساسيًا في نضال الشعب السوري. فهي أم الشهيد، وأخته، وزوجته، وابنته. وقد دفعت أثمانًا باهظة من دموعها ومعاناتها، لكنها بقيت شامخة وصامدة، تحفظ بيتها، وتربي أبناءها، وتدرّس طلابها في المدرسة، وتداوي جرحى الثورة في المستشفيات والعيادات الميدانية.
لقد لعبت المرأة السورية أدوارًا متعددة: فهي الأم المربية التي تحملت عبء النزوح والتهجير، والمعلمة التي واصلت رسالتها رغم القصف، والطبيبة والممرضة التي وقفت إلى جانب المصابين، إضافة إلى كونها المناضلة التي حملت السلاح في وجه المعتدين، وقدّمت دمها في سبيل وطنها الحر.
وسجّل التاريخ أسماء خالدة من النساء السوريات اللواتي قدّمن حياتهن فداءً للحرية، منهن:
الشهيدة سعاد كياري التي ارتقت وهي تدافع عن أرضها في وجه النظام البائد.
الشهيدة جود، التي ناضلت في حياتها حتى لحظة استشهادها، وقد كتبت على صفحتها على فيسبوك قبل وفاتها بدقائق بسبب قصف النظام البائد لمنزلها بقذائف صاروخية:
“اللهُم خيرًا في كلّ اختيار، ونورًا في كل عتمة وتيسيرًا لِكل عسير، وواقعًا لِكل ما نتمنى، اللهم بحجم جمال جنتك أرني جمال القادم فى حياتي وحقق لي ما أتمنى، واشرح لى صدري.. اللهم الرضا الذي يجعل قلوبنا هادئة وهمومنا عابرة ومصائبنا هيّنة”
الشهيدة إيمان، آنسة في مدرستها، التي استشهدت مع طلابها تحت القصف لتكون رمزًا لتضحيات الكوادر التعليمية في الثورة.
الشهيدة المعلمة سمر، مدرّسة القرآن، التي غرست قيم الإيمان في قلوب طلابها قبل أن تلتحق بركب الشهداء.
وإلى جانب الشهيدات، نجد قصص أمهات عظيمات قدّمن أعظم التضحيات، مثل أم أحمد التي فقدت خمسة من أبنائها على درب الحرية، لكنها بقيت صامدة، ترفع رأسها بكل شموخ، وتقول إن دماء أولادها أمانة في عنقها، وإنها ستبقى مخلصة لطريقهم حتى تتحقق أهداف الثورة.
إن المرأة السورية لم تكن مجرد ضحية للظروف القاسية، بل كانت شريكة في صناعة التاريخ. فصبرها وثباتها في وجه القصف والحصار، وعملها في مختلف الميادين، جعل منها رمزًا من رموز الثورة السورية، وعنوانًا للفداء والتضحية. وهكذا أثبتت أنها ليست فقط نصف المجتمع، بل هي قوته الدافعة، وصوته المقاوم، وروحه الصامدة، وأن مستقبل سوريا الجديدة لن يكتمل إلا بمشاركتها الفاعلة في كل مجالات الحياة.
Syrian youth today represent the cornerstone in building a new Syria after the victory of the revolution and the liberation of the country from the former oppressive regime. This generation, which lived through years of bombardment, displacement, and hardship, now sees itself as responsible for leading a new phase, not only in the military or social spheres, but also in politics, which stands as the foundation for any genuine democratic reconstruction.
Over the past years, it has become clear that Syrian youth, especially those who grew up in the atmosphere of the revolution and endured its challenges, have become more aware and determined to contribute to shaping the future of their homeland. This is most evident in the wide participation of young people in the electoral committees supervising the upcoming parliamentary elections, where many members are under the age of thirty. Such participation was unheard of under the former regime, which systematically marginalized youth and excluded them from any effective political role.
Among the emerging examples is Ahmad, born in 1998, who announced his candidacy for parliament based on his community work and experience, aiming to represent the voice of young Syrians, particularly those who sacrificed and struggled for Syria’s freedom. Equally remarkable is the candidacy of several young women under the age of thirty, a step that highlights the growing presence and influence of young women in Syria’s political life.
The parliamentary elections after liberation are considered the first real political experience in the new Syria, giving all segments of society the chance to choose their representatives. This step carries deep significance: the revolution was not only about overthrowing a regime, but also about launching a new era of popular participation and political representation, with youth at its forefront.
Thus, the political role of Syrian youth is no longer optional but a national necessity to ensure that the new Syria emerges as a modern state built on democracy and justice, a state that opens the door for its young generations to lead its journey and shape its future. Today, Syrian youth are the hope of the new Syria, and their political voice is the true guarantee for preserving the achievements of the revolution. Having given sacrifices on the frontlines of freedom, they now prove themselves capable of carrying the banner of political and democratic reconstruction. By engaging in the institutions of the nascent state, they affirm that tomorrow’s Syria can only be built by the hands and minds of its youth, the faithful guardians of a free and just homeland for all.
الشباب السوري ودوره السياسي في سوريا الجديدة
يشكّل الشباب السوري اليوم حجر الأساس في بناء سوريا الجديدة بعد انتصار الثورة وتحرير البلاد من النظام البائد. فجيل الثورة الذي عايش سنوات القصف والتهجير والمعاناة، يرى نفسه اليوم مسؤولًا عن قيادة مرحلة جديدة، ليس فقط في الجانب العسكري أو الاجتماعي، بل أيضًا في الجانب السياسي الذي يُعدّ الركيزة الأولى لأي عملية بناء ديمقراطي حقيقي.
لقد أظهرت السنوات الماضية أن الشباب السوري، ولا سيما أولئك الذين ترعرعوا في أجواء الثورة وصمدوا في وجه التحديات، باتوا أكثر وعيًا وإصرارًا على المساهمة في صياغة مستقبل وطنهم. ويبرز ذلك بوضوح في المشاركة الواسعة للشباب ضمن اللجان الانتخابية التي تشرف على انتخابات مجلس الشعب، حيث يضمّ عددًا كبيرًا من الأعضاء الذين لم يتجاوزوا الثلاثين من أعمارهم. وهو أمر لم يكن موجودًا على الإطلاق في عهد النظام السابق الذي همّش الشباب وأقصاهم عن أي دور سياسي فاعل.
ومن الأمثلة على هذا التحول، بروز شخصيات شبابية مثل الأستاذ أحمد (مواليد 1998) الذي أعلن ترشحه لمجلس الشعب استنادًا إلى سيرته الذاتية وجهوده في خدمة المجتمع، ليكون صوتًا للشباب الثائر الذي قدّم التضحيات في سبيل حرية سوريا. وما يلفت النظر أيضًا هو ترشّح العديد من الفتيات السوريات اللواتي لم يتجاوزن الثلاثين من العمر، في خطوة تؤكد أن دور المرأة الشابة سيكون حاضرًا بقوة في الحياة السياسية المقبلة.
إن تجربة انتخابات مجلس الشعب بعد التحرير تُعتبر أول تجربة سياسية حقيقية في سوريا الجديدة، حيث تتاح الفرصة لكل فئات المجتمع للمشاركة في اختيار ممثليهم. وهي خطوة تحمل دلالات عميقة على أن الثورة لم تكن فقط لإسقاط نظام، بل لإطلاق مرحلة جديدة من المشاركة الشعبية والتمثيل السياسي، يكون الشباب في طليعتها.
وهكذا، فإن الدور السياسي للشباب السوري لم يعد خيارًا ثانويًا، بل أصبح ضرورة وطنية لضمان أن تكون سوريا الجديدة دولةً عصريةً قائمةً على الديمقراطية والعدالة، دولةً تفتح المجال أمام الأجيال الصاعدة لتقود مسيرتها وتبني مستقبلها بأيديها. إن الشباب السوري اليوم هو أمل سوريا الجديدة، وصوته السياسي هو الضمانة الحقيقية لاستمرار مكتسبات الثورة. فبعد أن قدّم التضحيات في ميادين الحرية، يثبت اليوم أنه قادر على حمل راية البناء السياسي والديمقراطي، وبانخراطه في مؤسسات الدولة الناشئة، يؤكد أن سوريا الغد لن تُبنى إلا بسواعد شبابها وعقولهم النيرة، ليكونوا الحارس الأمين على مستقبل وطن حرّ وعادل لكل أبنائه.
As the region transforms in real time, we reflect on what we’ve heard, what we’ve done, and why our work has only just begun.
The past year has been unprecedentedly intense for anyone following developments in the Middle East. Looking back on these past few months that have passed since we launched the European Syria Institute, we are filled with gratitude and renewed determination. Our work has led us into deeply meaningful conversations with remarkable people across Syria and the broader region. Through these encounters, rich with knowledge, courage, and lived experience, our perspectives have been challenged and broadened. We have listened, learned, and grown.
As we look ahead to the fall, our commitment is stronger than ever. We are more determined to highlight the Middle East in all discussions, not out of fascination alone, but from the conviction that a stable and peaceful Middle East will spread positive impact across the world.
We’ll be back at full speed in August.
Until then, we wish all our partners, friends, and supporters a peaceful and inspiring summer.
In the wake of Syria’s tumultuous political upheaval, a fragile hope flickers across a war-battered landscape. With the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024 and the appointment of Ahmed al-Sharaa as interim president at the Syrian Revolution Victory Conference the following month, the country finds itself at a critical juncture. The civil war has left behind not just ruins, but deep societal fractures: ethnic, sectarian, and institutional, that threaten to undermine even the most promising reforms.
Among those navigating this uncertain future are humanitarian organizations that have been working in Syria for years, often in the shadows of violence, bureaucracy, and mistrust. Their perspectives offer a sobering look at the country’s path forward and the many obstacles that still lie ahead.
A Promise of Reform, Weighted by Reality
Perhaps the most unlikely figure to emerge as a transitional power broker is former HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. His recent rebranding, marked by public commitments to hold elections, uphold civil liberties, and guarantee religious freedom, has raised both hope and skepticism.
While his rhetoric signals a break from the past, the reality remains complex. There is a visible desire to stabilize and present an image of order, but the foundations for governance remain weak. Institutions are broken. Ideology continues to influence decisions related to aid distribution, urban recovery, and civic life.
This challenge is compounded by a fragmented, hyper-localized landscape. Despite a change in leadership, interference, favoritism, and ideological pressure continue to obstruct humanitarian delivery. This can take the form of demands to prioritize aid for politically favored groups or pressure to conform to socially conservative norms.
Bureaucracy, Banking, and Bread
Across Syria, operational challenges are severe. Organizations must navigate a convoluted approval process involving umbrella organizations like the Syrian Development Organization (SDO), the Humanitarian Affairs Committee (HAC), and local authorities.
The process is sometimes more negotiable than under the previous regime, but liquidity constraints and exchange rate instability undermine project planning. Aid groups frequently see budgets devalued due to delays and currency fluctuations.
Access restrictions persist in areas like Dara’a and As-Sweida, and banking challenges paralyze operations. Delays in payments and procurement have been challenging.
Meanwhile, urgent humanitarian needs remain. In Jizraya, NGOs are running bakeries to ensure food security. In Kwaires, farming communities are supported with seeds and inputs to restart agricultural production.
However, these initiatives remain fragile, vulnerable to renewed violence, shifting political winds, and fluctuating donor support.
Safety by Silence
Security remains tenuous, shaped by a patchwork of actors. The formal police are undertrained and lack legitimacy. Local militias and armed factions often assert authority where government institutions are weak.
In rural Deir ez-Zor, concerns persist about the presence of foreign fighters and sporadic Daesh activity. In other areas, low-intensity conflict and factional violence remain unresolved.
In this context, many humanitarian actors avoid confrontation and self-censor to preserve access. Navigating complex ideological environments requires discretion and compromise, particularly in areas where conservative religious or political pressures shape public life.
Ideological backlash has disrupted aid projects. Initiatives seen as overly secular or Western have faced public campaigns and online harassment. Religious infrastructure projects, often backed by external donors, possibly Gulf states, are expanding rapidly, sometimes at the expense of cultural and civic spaces.
Ethnic Fractures and Fragile Coexistence
Ethnic and sectarian tensions remain deeply rooted. In urban centers like Damascus and Aleppo, coexistence is often pragmatic, driven by shared economic needs. In rural and coastal areas, where communities are more homogeneous, mistrust and historical grievances persist.
Aid distribution, housing, and education are often viewed through the lens of identity. Neutrality is difficult to uphold when resources are scarce and every decision is politically sensitive. Even well-intentioned humanitarian efforts risk becoming entangled in local power dynamics.
Looking Ahead: Building or Breaking?
Despite the challenges, there are reasons for cautious optimism. Efforts to revitalize agriculture, reintegrate former combatants, and restore cultural landmarks may offer a foundation for long-term resilience. These interventions, if protected and supported, could help rebuild livelihoods and social cohesion.
But this path forward requires more than technical expertise. It demands trust, reconciliation, and local empowerment—none of which are guaranteed in today’s Syria. Leaders like Ahmed al-Sharaa may speak of a new era based on pluralism and civil liberties, but the conditions on the ground remain fragile.
The real work of recovery is taking place quietly, far from official statements and televised announcements. It is found in engineers restoring roads, women planting gardens, teachers reopening schools, and aid workers navigating impossible choices to serve their communities.
This is where Syria’s future will be decided: not in headlines, but in the day-to-day struggle to rebuild a country that has lost so much, yet still holds the possibility of renewal.
Syria’s path to recovery after years of brutal conflict hinges on the ability to rebuild its shattered economy and restore essential services to its people. Yet, a key obstacle to this process remains the sanctions imposed by the international community, which continue to strangle Syria’s economic potential and complicate efforts to provide aid to millions of Syrians. The case for lifting these sanctions has become increasingly urgent, as the Syrian leadership, under Ahmed al-Sharaa, has demonstrated a clear commitment to reform and stability since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Al-Sharaa’s government has made significant efforts to distance itself from the policies of the previous regime, focusing on rebuilding the country and promoting national reconciliation. His leadership has shown a willingness to address some of the critical issues that have long divided Syria, and while the situation remains complex and challenges persist, there is a clear signal from the government that Syria is committed to a path of stability and reform.
Despite these efforts, the ongoing sanctions continue to impact the lives of ordinary Syrians, undermining the country’s ability to recover. With over 90% of the population living below the poverty line and many regions in urgent need of humanitarian aid, the sanctions are making it increasingly difficult to deliver the necessary assistance. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for sanctions relief, arguing that these measures hinder their ability to provide essential medical supplies and support to civilians.
The international community has a significant role to play in Syria’s recovery. While there are understandable concerns about the new government’s ability to address human rights and security challenges, it is also important to recognize the positive steps that have been taken. The Syrian government’s commitment to reform and combating extremism, while still a work in progress, signals a willingness to move the country toward a more stable and inclusive future. However, it is increasingly clear that these efforts will be stifled unless the international community provides the necessary support.
Lifting the sanctions would not mean turning a blind eye to the challenges Syria faces; it would, however, allow the country to begin rebuilding its economy and improving the lives of its people. The removal of sanctions could facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid, encourage investment, and help restore vital services. It is crucial for the international community to recognize that continued economic pressure on Syria’s civilian population is counterproductive and will only prolong the suffering of millions of Syrians who are already living in dire conditions.
At the same time, lifting sanctions should be linked to ongoing efforts by the Syrian government to address human rights concerns and ensure the protection of all Syrians, regardless of their sectarian or religious background. It is essential that Syria’s leadership continue to demonstrate progress in these areas. However, the international community must also acknowledge that the country’s recovery will be significantly impeded if sanctions remain in place.
In conclusion, the time has come for the international community to take a more constructive approach to Syria’s recovery by lifting the sanctions that have been in place for years. The Syrian government has shown its commitment to reform, and while challenges remain, it is now essential to provide the country with the opportunity to rebuild. The international community has a responsibility to support this process by lifting sanctions, allowing Syria to begin its long-awaited recovery and create a foundation for lasting peace and stability.
European Syria Institute 