Syrians in Germany Celebrate Fall of President Bashar al-Assad
BERLIN: Thousands of jubilant Syrians gathered in Berlin on Sunday to celebrate the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, sounding car horns and waving Syrian opposition flags.
A Spontaneous Outpouring of Relief
A spontaneous outpouring of relief began early on Sunday in the working-class district of Neukoelln, with scores of people pouring onto a main street, waving the green, white, black, and red flag of the Syrian opposition, before congregating on a square in the neighboring district of Kreuzberg. Many brought along children with their faces painted in the Syrian national colors to voice their joy and relief. The crowd quickly swelled into the thousands, with some making the V for victory sign and chanting "Allah u Akbar" ("God is greatest").
A Message of Hope
Ahmad al-Hallabi, 27, was at the spontaneous initial gathering in Neukoelln with his two children. "This government has finally fallen," the mechanic from Aleppo said. "Ten years ago, I was in Syria and saw things no one should have to see, things that are impossible to wipe from your memory." He added, "Assad is the worst terrorist imaginable. I hope there’ll be peace and everything Assad and his men destroyed will be rebuilt."
A Note of Caution from the German Government
The German government issued a note of caution as to the future of Syria. "At this point, it is impossible to assess what exactly is happening in Syria right now," said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. "But one thing is clear: the end of Assad is a big relief for millions of people in Syria – after an eternity of atrocities committed by the Assad regime." Chancellor Olaf Scholz also commented, "Assad had oppressed his people brutally and called for a political solution to stabilize the country."
A Syrian Human Rights Lawyer’s Perspective
Anwar al-Bunni, a Syrian human rights lawyer who was granted asylum in Germany in 2014, spoke to AFP shortly before the government was ousted but as rebel forces were closing in on the capital. "I knew this moment was coming because I believe that the Syrian people, asking for freedom, they will get it at last," he said. Bunni, who was imprisoned in Syria for five years, contributed in 2022 to a court case in Germany that resulted in a former Syrian army colonel being jailed for life for crimes against humanity. It was the first trial in the world to examine abuses committed by the Assad government.
Conclusion
As the news of the fall of President Bashar al-Assad spread, thousands of Syrians in Berlin celebrated with jubilation, waving the Syrian opposition flag and expressing hope for a peaceful and stable future. While the German government has issued a note of caution about the future of Syria, many see the end of the Assad regime as a significant step towards freedom and justice for the Syrian people.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation in Syria?
A: The situation in Syria is still developing and it is difficult to assess what exactly is happening at this point.
Q: What is the reaction of the German government to the fall of President Bashar al-Assad?
A: The German government has issued a note of caution, stating that it is impossible to assess what exactly is happening in Syria right now, but that the end of Assad is a big relief for millions of people in Syria.
Q: What is the perspective of Syrian human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni on the fall of President Bashar al-Assad?
A: Al-Bunni believes that the end of the Assad regime is a significant step towards freedom and justice for the Syrian people. He hopes that the Syrian government will be rebuilt and that the country will be at peace.