Sobhi Akash, a 33-year-old resident of Aleppo’s staunchly pro-Assad Mokambo district, recounts the surprising and almost surreal fall of the regime in his city. Mokambo, home to the governor’s palace and security headquarters, was considered a bastion of regime loyalty, making the opposition’s victory all the more unexpected. While a cautious hope had flickered within him, the reality of the regime’s collapse was met with a mixture of shock and fear, primarily the fear of retaliatory bombardments. The opposition’s entry into the city, however, defied expectations. Instead of violence and chaos, they encountered an almost peaceful transition, with the opposition reassuring residents to continue their lives as normal.
This initial peaceful transition was key in allaying the fears of Akash and his fellow citizens. As the opposition forces advanced towards Hama, steadily taking control of city after city, the oppressive atmosphere in Aleppo began to dissipate. Life slowly returned to a semblance of normalcy, with people resuming their daily routines. However, the regime’s influence hadn’t entirely vanished. Radio Sada, where Akash worked, was shut down, and its pro-regime editor disappeared without a trace, a stark reminder of the regime’s previous grip on information and dissent. These disappearances and closures underlined the complexities of the transition, even amidst the growing sense of liberation.
The news of the Assad regime’s fall in Damascus triggered an outpouring of emotion for Akash, a culmination of 14 years of oppression. Overwhelmed with relief and joy, he wept openly during a phone interview, expressing the profound sense of loss for the countless lives sacrificed during the conflict and the displacement of millions. The streets of Aleppo erupted in celebration, a powerful demonstration of the collective joy and release from years of suppressed dissent. The fall of the regime symbolized not just a political change but the removal of a pervasive fear that had permeated every aspect of their lives.
Akash also addresses concerns regarding the religious and cultural implications of the Islamist opposition’s rise to power. While he and his wife, an Ismaili from Masyaf, represent a religious minority within Syria, they remain optimistic about the future. Akash describes a shift in perception of the rebels, moving away from the stereotypical image of strict, intolerant jihadists. He highlights instances where rebel forces actively engaged with Christian communities, even assisting with setting up Christmas decorations, a gesture signifying tolerance and inclusivity. This account of interfaith cooperation offers a counter-narrative to the fears of religious persecution, suggesting a potential for peaceful coexistence amongst different communities.
The initial anxieties within Christian-dominated areas like Aziziyah and Sulaymaniyah, where some residents initially sought refuge in hotels, eventually subsided as the situation stabilized. The disappearance of armed displays on the streets further contributes to the sense of returning normalcy. While the statues of Hafez al-Assad, symbols of the former regime’s power, have been toppled and replaced by revolutionary flags, daily life continues. Markets are reportedly better stocked than before, suggesting a restoration of essential services and a functioning economy. This improvement in daily life, even amidst political upheaval, is a crucial indicator of the transition’s potential for success.
The new governance structure remains somewhat ambiguous, with Akash describing a vaguely defined governing board whose members are unknown to the public. While lower-level government employees continue their work, the top officials, including the governor and branch heads, have vanished. This absence of clear leadership creates a sense of uncertainty about the future political landscape. Despite this ambiguity, the overall picture painted by Akash is one of cautious optimism, with the focus shifting from fear and oppression to the practicalities of rebuilding their lives and establishing a new order in a post-Assad Aleppo. The transition remains delicate, but the prevailing sentiment is of hope and a collective desire for a better future.
