Through a Refugee’s Eyes and Voice

Syria’s Past, Present, and Future Through a Refugee’s Eyes

Juan Lim

The Rise of Syrian Dictatorship
In 1963, the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party came to power through a military coup, marking the beginning of authoritarian rule in Syria. They quickly turned the country into a one-party state, suppressing political opposition and taking control of nearly every part of society, from politics to education and culture.

In 1970, Hafez al-Assad, an Alawite military officer, led what was called the "Corrective Revolution." He eliminated rival Ba’athists and secured his position as president in 1971. His rule was marked by absolute control and surveillance.

The Assad Legacy
Following Hafez al-Assad's death in 2000, his son, Bashar al-Assad, became the president. Bashar's regime continued the authoritarian practices of his father. In 2011, during the Arab Spring, pro-democracy protests erupted across Syria, demanding an end to the Assad family's rule. The government's violent reaction soon turned into a civil war.

A personal account from La Yeonu, a Syrian refugee, captures the fear and pressure many civilians faced during this time:

A personal account from La Yeonu, a Syrian refugee, captures the fear and pressure many civilians faced during this time:

"Around 2011, during the Arab Spring, anti-dictatorship protests began in Syria. When the news spread that a young elementary school student had been arrested, tortured, and killed during a protest, the protests grew nationwide. As the protests continued, more people lost their lives, and the movement spread to other cities. I was a university student at the time and joined the protests demanding freedom."

But La’s activism came at a cost:

"Once the protests escalated, the military entered universities and used tear gas and ammunition to suppress them. The situation became increasingly dangerous with checkpoints set up on every street. As the military faced soldier shortages, many young people were forcibly recruited."

The Civil War
As the Syrian Civil War escalated following the government’s violent suppression of the 2011 protests, various rebel groups emerged to resist Assad’s regime. The Free Syrian Army (FSA), formed in July 2011 by military defectors and civilian volunteers, was the first major opposition force. Over time, new groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) emerged. These groups established control over parts of northern Syria, including Idlib and northern Aleppo, where they fought regime forces, ISIS, and at times, each other.

This growing resistance movement not only challenged Assad’s regime but also allowed individuals like La Yeonu to find safe passage to Türkiye through rebel-controlled territory:

"Initially, I was excluded [from the conscription] because I had a university student ID. However, when a national emergency was declared, even university students were being conscripted. If drafted, I would have been forced to shoot at protesters. I had to find a way to avoid military service, so I decided to escape to Türkiye. I was able to flee because there were rebel groups near the Turkish border, consisting of people like me who did not want to join the army. With their help, I crossed the border. At that time, Türkiye allowed visa-free entry for Syrians."

The End of Assad’s Regime
In late 2024, after more than a decade of civil war, a group of rebel forces launched a final, powerful attack against President Bashar al-Assad’s government. The main groups leading this effort were Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian National Army (SNA). They quickly took over important cities like Aleppo and Hama. By early December, they had surrounded Damascus, the capital. On December 8, rebel fighters entered Damascus without any fighting, and soon after, Assad fled to Russia. This marked the end of the Assad family's 53-year rule over Syria. Many experts say the regime collapsed so quickly because the Syrian military was losing morale, and the rebel groups were better organized than before.

La Yeonu explains his opinion:

“The regime change in Syria is generally a positive development. People can finally breathe freely. However, I am not sure what kind of people the new leaders are. While it seems like a good thing, Western nations like the U.S. and European countries still label the group that took power as a terrorist organization, so we cannot say the situation is entirely safe. However, I have witnessed the Syrian government's atrocities firsthand, which were worse than terrorism. The things the regime did were beyond human comprehension. Compared to that, even a terrorist group taking power seemed like a better alternative.”

His words reflect the complicated emotions many Syrians feel—hope for freedom mixed with uncertainty about the future.

After the regime's fall, Syrians began to uncover Assad’s brutal practices. Secret prisons were found, and many political prisoners were freed. Mass graves were also discovered, revealing the government's atrocities. For example, reports in February 2025 revealed over 1,000 deaths at a military airport near Damascus, where prisoners were executed, tortured, or died due to harsh conditions.

In March 2025, a new transitional government was formed, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The cabinet includes individuals from various religious and ethnic backgrounds and marks the beginning of a five-year transitional period. The government operates without a prime minister, with al-Sharaa having significant executive authority. While al-Sharaa has pledged to form a fair administration and rebuild the nation, concerns regarding his Islamist background and the centralization of power exist. The international community remains cautious, urging the establishment of a stable, inclusive government.

Syria's economy has been devastated by years of war and international sanctions, cutting it off from the global financial system. The new government faces the task of rebuilding infrastructure, reviving the economy, and addressing poverty. Nearly $6.5 billion in international aid to support Syria's reconstruction efforts is planned. However, the effectiveness of these funds depends on the government's ability to implement economic reforms and attract international investment.

As Syria navigates this complex transition, balancing the need to address past injustices, establish inclusive governance, and foster economic recovery will be the key in shaping a peaceful and prosperous future for the nation.

Calling by their Name, not their Title

Iris Kang

I will call the Syrian refugee Brandon.

Brandon said, “As long as I have my identification card, it doesn’t matter what others think.” But in reality, an identification card fails to fulfill the role they want. Acknowledgement, respect, and acceptance are the three key pillars to a gradual transition into a new environment. Then why is it so difficult for a country to have these pillars?

From an honest standpoint, the fact that the refugee is different from the rest of the community makes a difference. Although the skin color, language, and the way they talk may be different, they have the same train of thought and perspective. Indeed, Brandon said, “In some aspects, I am satisfied, while in others, I have complaints—just like any other Korean citizen.” If there is one thing that can truly unite people, I would say it is a specific feeling towards a community agenda or issue. Although the common language and culture would have laid the foundation, differences in opinions can fracture a group of people easily. Given that Brandon may have been slightly late in understanding the commonalities the Korean community has been sharing, can his shared view of an issue with other Koreans help him earn acceptance?

Do they “earn” acceptance? Over and over again, I’m repeating the same word: empathy. Instead of accepting the refugees, we must go beneath their stories. In order to go beneath, we are not making a room on our side but rather approaching them and asking if they could make a room for us. We are not asking if they could please show understanding even if we make a mistake to them. Rather, during the process, we show our vulnerable side and personal stories to establish a closer relationship. In Brandon’s final remarks, he said, “I believe Korea needs to make more efforts to embrace cultural diversity.” Not just confined to cultural diversity, many Korean communities should learn how to view “the different” as “equal.” Similar to my experience meeting a North Korean defector, who also faced difficulties adapting to a community where difference is viewed as strange, changes must be made.

How do we make those changes? This may be the hardest question to ask and answer. Because it will take a long time. But not that long if certain individuals in each community can bring up the issue. It starts with individuals placing themselves in the shoes of the refugees. But in doing so, they must realize that they are not refugees, but ordinary people like them. Ordinary people who have their own set of goals, triumphs, failures, aspirations, and desires. We often overlook how similar our lives are to theirs because of the unique title they have. If you are asked for help due to their language barrier or cultural differences, be helpful.

Because if you were in the situation, you must have asked for help.