'All of Syria feels as if it has been freed from a prison'

The 13-year-long deadlock in Syria, which has captivated the world's attention, seemed to unravel within just 13 days. At first glance, this is the picture that emerges. The scenes of jubilation following the downfall of the Assad regime speak volumes about the oppression and tyranny endured by this nation for 61 years. Yet, the cries of anguish from Syria were already deafening long before this moment.

The voices of millions forced to flee their homeland and seek refuge elsewhere have long revealed the horrors unfolding within the country. The world, as always, responded with fleeting concern—at first, paying some attention, even a great deal, but eventually growing numb to the atrocities. No matter how severe the oppression, if left unchecked, people begin to normalize it over time. This is why no one should doubt that everyone who remained silent in the face of these inhumane massacres bears some responsibility. We will have time to discuss this in depth, God willing.

For now, let us recount what we witnessed during our time in Syria. Those curious about the secret behind the rapid liberation of cities, towns, and villages from Assad's tyranny need only look at the horrors unearthed in places like Sednaya and other prisons. For years, the people of Syria lived under the shadow of these prisons, enduring immense pressure and threats. Everyone in Syria knew of these prisons and the atrocities committed within.

It was inevitable that once the possibility of genuine liberation from Assad emerged, the entire nation would rally behind the revolutionaries. In Damascus's Hamidiye Square, the exuberance of young people—teenagers, high school, and university students—was likely an unprecedented experience in Syria. Perhaps these same youth were once coerced into participating in the regime’s staged celebrations, but for the first time, they gathered of their own volition to express genuine joy.

In Aleppo, a local shopkeeper pointed out how people now freely walked around the Ba’ath Party headquarters. "Before, it took real courage just to pass by this building on foot," he said. Watching groups of young people casually hanging out in the park below, he added, "You couldn’t have imagined this scene even a week ago."

The most profound observation came later: "Don’t think it’s just the prisoners who have been freed from those dungeons. The entire Syrian people were imprisoned. With the revolution, all of Syria has been set free." This is why, from the very first day, the squares have been filled with people celebrating. Most notably, it is the youth savoring a freedom they are experiencing for the very first time.

The process that began on November 27 initially did not aim to achieve such sweeping results across Syria. The revolution, in a sense, paved its way as it progressed. The regime, which had long been entrenched and had established an autonomous presence in Idlib and its surroundings, had recently made significant military buildups there, underestimating the opposition. The initial operation aimed to sweep regime forces out of Idlib in the name of "resisting aggression," while simultaneously targeting Aleppo.

For years, I had written about the importance of Aleppo coming under opposition control as a temporary but significant solution for both Türkiye and Syrians. When the revolutionaries entered Aleppo, their treatment of the locals and their messages of hope had a domino effect, encouraging people in subsequent cities to join the revolution. In Hama, Homs, southern Idlib, and surrounding towns, regime soldiers laid down their arms and removed their uniforms, trusting the promise of amnesty. This led to a relatively bloodless advance all the way to Damascus.

As we traveled through various cities from Aleppo onward, we encountered many Syrians we knew from Türkiye. "When did you even manage to get here?" we asked. "We couldn’t contain ourselves; we came immediately to reunite with relatives we hadn’t seen in 13 years and check on our homes," they replied. Their faces radiated pure joy and excitement—a profound, innocent happiness that is incomparable to the triumph of occupiers. This was the legitimate, rightful elation of people forcibly exiled from their homeland now returning victoriously.

Aleppo itself is a cradle of civilization, rich with resources for building a great society. For a century, it was suppressed under one of the world's most vile regimes to prevent anything new or significant from emerging. Even during Ottoman times, Aleppo was one of the largest centers of trade and culture, its demographic makeup mirroring that of Türkiye: Turks, Arabs, Kurds, Armenians—all contributing to a vibrant cultural mosaic.

"Who can hold back a liberated Aleppo now?" remarked an academic who had reunited with his family in Aleppo after studying in Türkiye. Syria has all the resources needed to become a strong and prosperous country—fertile lands, a hardworking people, and now, an immense social capital born of struggle and sacrifice. The return of the Syrian diaspora, combined with the newfound freedom of those who stayed, represents a formidable force for rebuilding the country. It is not just about reconstruction; it is about Syria reclaiming its place on the world stage.