DAMASCUS — In a significant shift for the international airport in Damascus, Major Hamza al-Ahmed, a newly appointed security chief and a former rebel leader, arrived with his team.
Accompanied by a small group of maintenance workers who had defied the odds by showing up for work, al-Ahmed listened intently as they shared their concerns about the future in the wake of President Bashar Assad’s long reign coming to an end.
Workers’ Concerns and a New Beginning
The workers opened up about grievances they had quietly endured during Assad’s tenure, voicing complaints about being passed over for promotions and benefits in favor of those aligned with the former regime.
They voiced worries about hardline supporters of Assad still within the airport staff, fearing they might reclaim their positions as operations resumed.
Al-Ahmed sought to ease their worries, bringing a sense of reassurance.
One engineer, Osama Najm, noted that this was the first time many felt free to express their feelings.
This meeting marked a crucial moment, reflecting the changing tides of Syria as a new chapter unfolded just a week after Assad’s departure.
With rebels assuming control, the mood among the populace varied from exhilaration over newfound freedoms to profound sadness from years of oppression, mingled with cautious optimism and trepidation about the uncertain road ahead.
In fact, some individuals were so moved that they shed tears.
So far, the transition has largely been peaceful, with only minimal reports of revenge attacks, sectarian violence, or looting.
Rebel forces have played a vital role in maintaining order in the capital, though the environment remains fragile.
Transition Challenges and Political Dynamics
Despite the relative calm, uncertainty hangs in the air.
Syria faces a myriad of challenges after enduring five decades of authoritarian rule.
Families have been torn apart by years of conflict, and many individuals carry deep psychological scars from their time in captivity.
Tens of thousands are still missing, while the economy is in disarray, plagued by poverty, rampant inflation, and soaring unemployment, all exacerbated by corruption.
Nonetheless, the people of Syria exhibit a readiness to cautiously move forward.
At the airport, al-Ahmed shared with staff that the road ahead would undoubtedly present obstacles but stressed the need for unity in shaping Syria’s future.
While Najm acknowledged the positive steps the rebels had taken, he emphasized that they were ready to stand up against any injustices in the days to come.
The rebel presence can also be seen at a recently damaged police station where semblances of Assad’s regime, including portraits and important documents, have been removed since the insurgent takeover on December 8.
All personnel affiliated with the previous administration have vanished.
Ten rebels from the governing group in Idlib are currently overseeing operations at the police station, focusing on minor crimes and local disputes.
An officer recounted an incident involving neighbors disrupting a woman’s power supply but highlighted the long wait for the courts to reopen.
Socioeconomic Conditions and Civil Society
The rebel leadership is attempting to instill order in Damascus using the administrative model they established in Idlib.
However, the scale of this undertaking poses a significant challenge.
Current estimates suggest a police force of around 4,000, with half located in Idlib and the rest working to maintain security in surrounding areas, complemented by a combat force of approximately 20,000 fighters.
In this transitional phase, both the fighters and the local community are figuring out their new roles.
The rebels have been seen driving luxurious vehicles—a stark contrast to the economic reality many residents face, as such cars can cost up to ten times more due to tariffs and corruption.
They have also adopted the Turkish lira for transactions, which was previously banned in government-controlled areas, as the Syrian pound continues to plummet in value.
Most fighters hail from conservative backgrounds, many identifying as hardline Islamists.
The prominent group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has distanced itself from its former al-Qaida ties, aiming to reassure the country’s diverse religious and ethnic groups of their intentions to foster a more pluralistic society.
Yet skepticism persists.
Several fighters wear uniforms adorned with Islamist slogans, stirring fears among local citizens.
One resident from Daraa, the uprising’s birthplace, voiced concerns over potential violence targeting minority groups.
While many in Damascus approach the future with cautious optimism, apprehensions about certain rebel factions remain prevalent.
Some establishments have cautiously resumed alcohol service, testing the social waters once more.
At a café in the historic Christian quarter, patrons sipped beer as rebel fighters patrolled nearby, observing without intervening.
However, an incident arose when a fighter detained a man attempting to disrupt a liquor store, signaling that enforcement was still a priority.
Salem Hajjo, a theater teacher and participant in the 2011 protests, has reservations about the rebels’ Islamist leanings.
Nevertheless, he appreciates their governance approach, believing that citizens will eventually have a voice in shaping a new Syria.
As the regime fell, jubilant crowds flooded the streets, erupting in celebrations that included celebratory gunfire.
This chaos led to some security buildings being burned and looting at the airport, which rebels attributed in part to fleeing pro-Assad loyalists.
Although early fears kept residents indoors momentarily, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s presence helped restore order by imposing a three-day nighttime curfew and forbidding celebratory gunfire, with fighters deployed to protect properties.
As tensions subsided, many ventured out to inquire about loved ones who had gone missing under the regime’s brutal crackdown.
Sadly, most returned without news, but the collective search for their missing kin fostered a sense of solidarity among families and rebels alike.
During street festivities, fighters welcomed children into their vehicles and posed for pictures with women.
Revolutionary anthems floated through the air, rekindling the spirit of the uprising, with walls adorned with flags and portraits of fallen activists.
Media narratives quickly shifted, transitioning from state propaganda to celebrating the newly formed insurgent-led transitional government’s calls for an end to strikes and encouraging Syrian refugees to return and contribute to rebuilding the country.
The new administration promised to rehabilitate security forces to ensure accountability moving forward.
Despite the assurances given to airport workers regarding their future safety, Syria is still confronted with monumental challenges.
Although prices for essential food items have dropped due to reduced fees and corruption, widespread disruptions in fuel distribution have driven up transportation costs and led to persistent power outages.
Authorities are eager to reopen the airport, and maintenance crews are already assessing the condition of the planes on the tarmac and cleaning up the area.
Yet, one cleaner, who identified himself only as Murad, expressed despair over his meager earnings of around $15 a month while supporting six children.
He lamented the long road to restoring normalcy amid continued turmoil.
Source: Stripes