Rehab Alkadi described the moment of hearing about Assad's departure, saying, 'I felt like in a dream and I told them if I'm in a dream, don't wake me up.' This encapsulates the disbelief and immense joy felt by many Syrians as their long-awaited dream of freedom seemed to materialize after years of suffering and turmoil. It signifies the emotional weight of liberation from a regime that has long repressed their hopes and rights.
Interviewees remarked that the fear of reprisal from the Assad regime, which had silenced many voices, was lifting. One Syrian in the U.S. shared, 'We finally felt comfortable to talk to the press or share our full names because we no longer feared our families back home would face punishment if we spoke out.' This sentiment illustrates the changing climate for expression and activism in the wake of regime change.
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