Londoners who fled Syria embrace the end of Assad's regime, remain hopeful for future

It was a sleepless few nights for Youssef Sadaki, who was constantly checking media reports and calling his relatives while anxiously awaiting the news he received Sunday morning — that Bashar Assad's decades-long regime in Syria had fallen.

It's a moment exiled Syrians like him have looked forward to for many years, said Sadaki, 40, who has called London, Ont., home since 2018. 

"It was a big surprise for a lot of people how fast everything changed in just two weeks but now we're all happy. We all know that a lot of people will be able to go back home, they don't need to stay in tents and there are thousands of prisoners who can now stay with their families," he said. 

In 2011, Sadaki was arrested in Damascus because of his participation in the Arab Spring uprising. The authorities let him go after making him pay a hefty fine, after which he fled to Egypt and later worked a political researcher in Washington, D.C., before relocating to London. 

The Syrian government collapsed early Sunday, after the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Assad and seized control of the capital of Damascus, ending his family's decades of autocratic rule after more than 13 years of civil war in the country.

The ousted leader fled to Moscow where he received political asylum, Russian media said Sunday. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is poised to take over the country's future. 

"What a good time to be alive. I'm very grateful and blessed to have seen the day my country Syria is liberated and free," said Wisam Ghalyuon, 37, who settled in London in 2016.

Ghalyuon fled his home city of Homs in 2011, escaping persecution from the regime and hasn't been back since. Always worrying for the safety of his parents and large extended family he was forced to leave behind, Ghalyuon said it's a relief to know they can finally live without fear. 

"My family back home are still in shock of the feeling of being free from the Assad regime after 54 years of controlling the country and the people of Syria. They're very happy to see the country become safe again. This is the best thing that has happened in the last 54 years." 

'We're celebrating their freedom'

Sadaki's step-daughter Lana Alzaid, 16, was in Damascus two years ago and said the fall of the regime has felt like a "surreal miracle." Her cousins have been among thousands of Syrians who took the streets to celebrate the regime's end, she said. 

"It's very significant because Syria, especially for the people living there, plays a big role in their lives and they had many dreams they couldn't fulfil because of everything that's going on and now they can because Syria is free again," she said.

Sadaki said although the Syrian people have lost a lot in the last 14 years, they finally feel like winners again and Syrians across the world are joining them in celebrating. He hopes he can reunite with his family in Damascus soon.

"We are all celebrating their freedom because they deserve it. Basshar used to show everyone that he is superior and that he would never fall but in a moment, he was gone," said Sadaki.  

Al-Golani said he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance and the community in London is optimistic that people in Syria will be able to build a safe and peaceful future for their upcoming generations. 

The people are now able to express themselves freely without being afraid of the Assad regime," said Ghalyuon. They can freely say they don't like a decision made [by the government] for their kids without being tortured and killed by their own government."