Syrian Canadians cautiously optimistic for ‘new era’ after Assad regime toppled by rebels

The fall of the Assad regime in Syria has brought cautious optimism to Syrians who fled to Canada to escape the country’s civil war. The conflict, which began in 2011 as a result of President Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown on anti-government protesters, has finally reached a turning point with rebels taking the capital and ousting the longtime president.

For many Syrians who sought refuge in Canada to avoid the violence and repression under Assad’s rule, the news of his ouster has been met with a mix of fear and excitement. Maysoun Darweesh, who fled Syria in 2008 and eventually settled in Canada, expressed relief at the regime’s fall. She still has family in Syria who are cautiously optimistic about the future.

As Syrians in Damascus took to the streets to celebrate, Syrians in Winnipeg gathered outside the Manitoba Legislative Building to show their support. Among them was Tareq Hadhad, who fled Syria with his family in 2012 and settled in Antigonish, N.S. He described the Assad regime as a “police state” marked by kidnappings, arrests, and corruption.

The rebel faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has emerged as a key player in shaping Syria’s future. The group, considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations, has promised a “free Syrian state” that embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. Despite concerns about the HTS, many Syrians believe that anything is better than the oppressive Assad regime.

As Syria transitions into a new era, Syrian Canadians like Amir Fattal of Oakville, Ont., are hopeful for a brighter future. Fattal, who arrived in Canada in 2016 after fleeing his home country, dreams of a free and democratic Syria where families can thrive and children can fulfill their potential. While the road ahead may be uncertain, Syrians in Canada are united in their hope for a better tomorrow.