Syrian refugees in the UK have promised to return to their home country after rebels overthrew Bashar-al Assad’s regime.
Celebrations took place yesterday in Trafalgar Square following the news that the Syrian government had been toppled.
This comes after 14-years of civil war in the country – a conflict that left over half a million people dead and millions displaced.
The Assad regime has been in power for 54 years, since his father Hafez al-Assad grabbed power in a military coup.
Syrians have been celebrating around the world
Reuters
The rebels launched a shock offensive in which they captured the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs in under two weeks, before seizing control of Damascus.
On Saturday, militants from the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) called for displaced Syrians around the world to return home.
Commander Hasan Abdul Ghani tweeted: “To the displaced all over the world, free Syria awaits you.”
Refugees in London spoke to The Telegraph, sharing their hopes of returning home.
Muhamad Khatib – who used to live near El-Hamidiyah, Syria – said he came to Trafalgar Square to “celebrate getting rid of a dictator who oppressed our country for 50 years”.
He branded Assad “the worst dictator in the world,” saying he killed and brought poverty upon Syrians.
Khatib said he and his wife were “wanted” people by the Syrian government, and said: “I would love to go back and live there in a big democracy.”
Ibrahim Tolaymat from Homs left Syria 11 years ago. He came to central London to celebrate, saying he was “over the moon” at this “miracle.”
He said he was excited to return home: “My children were really tiny when we left so they are really looking forward to just seeing what Syria looks like.”
Aisha Ekrayem holding roses that were being distributed around added: “It’s a dream! We can’t believe it. We can all go back now. Many people have not been back for 40 years or more.”
Muhamad Mowakket, a humanitarian worker forced to leave Aleppo in 2014 said: “No one wants to be a refugee. No one chooses to be a refugee. No one likes it. We had a wonderful country.”
Syrians are returning home from neighbouring countries
Reuters
Refugees in neighbouring countries such as Turkey and Lebanon have already started to return home.
Asylum seekers from Turkey, which was home to over three million Syrian refugees, were queuing at a border crossing in the southern Hatay province.
Meanwhile cars waited at the Lebanese-Syrian border as refugees living in Lebanon waited to head towards Damascus.
Displaced people from inside Syria are also on the move, heading back to areas such as Damascus.