The transformation in Syria highlights the changing perceptions among citizens regarding their past associations and experiences with the Assad regime.
Syria's Shift: From Fear to Pride in Being 'Wanted'
Syria's Shift: From Fear to Pride in Being 'Wanted'
As citizens confront the remnants of a brutal regime, being on a wanted list becomes a symbol of defiance.
In a surprising turnaround, Syrians have started embracing their past affiliations with the brutal Assad regime as a mark of honor rather than a cause for fear. With the Assad dictatorship’s exit, many are now beginning to openly inquire if they were once “wanted” and proudly share the information if they were. This evolution stems from years of terror that the Assad family enforced over the nation, where being listed as "wanted" often meant a person faced severe repercussions, including imprisonment or worse.
Recently, Kazem Togan, a journalist who returned to Syria after over a decade, visited a passport office to check whether he was on the regime’s wanted list. His inquiry was met with a smile from the passport officer, who confirmed, “You’re wanted by branch 235,” referring to one of the notorious intelligence branches. Rather than feeling fearful, Togan expressed exhilaration, feeling that being wanted now signifies a stand against tyranny.
This newly adopted perspective is echoed in numerous conversations among the citizens, particularly those who lived in constant fear of being targeted by the regime’s security systems. Today, asking if one is “wanted” has evolved into a regular dialogue, with former detainees taking pride in their status as symbols of resistance.
For decades, the bashar al-Assad regime's grip on power was enforced through relentless terror, where millions lived under the ever-present threat of being hunted down by various intelligence agencies, fostered by a pervasive climate of surveillance and brutality. The oppressive power structure created an environment where having a “name” on a wanted list carried immense weight—a mark of societal shame and animosity.
However, the post-Assad landscape has fundamentally altered this dynamic. Citizens are redefining their identities based on past experiences with a regime that tortured and murdered countless individuals to maintain control. The shift towards valuing the experience of being on a wanted list as a badge of honor encapsulates the evolution of Syria’s collective psyche, marking a development towards empowerment amidst a history of oppression.
Recently, Kazem Togan, a journalist who returned to Syria after over a decade, visited a passport office to check whether he was on the regime’s wanted list. His inquiry was met with a smile from the passport officer, who confirmed, “You’re wanted by branch 235,” referring to one of the notorious intelligence branches. Rather than feeling fearful, Togan expressed exhilaration, feeling that being wanted now signifies a stand against tyranny.
This newly adopted perspective is echoed in numerous conversations among the citizens, particularly those who lived in constant fear of being targeted by the regime’s security systems. Today, asking if one is “wanted” has evolved into a regular dialogue, with former detainees taking pride in their status as symbols of resistance.
For decades, the bashar al-Assad regime's grip on power was enforced through relentless terror, where millions lived under the ever-present threat of being hunted down by various intelligence agencies, fostered by a pervasive climate of surveillance and brutality. The oppressive power structure created an environment where having a “name” on a wanted list carried immense weight—a mark of societal shame and animosity.
However, the post-Assad landscape has fundamentally altered this dynamic. Citizens are redefining their identities based on past experiences with a regime that tortured and murdered countless individuals to maintain control. The shift towards valuing the experience of being on a wanted list as a badge of honor encapsulates the evolution of Syria’s collective psyche, marking a development towards empowerment amidst a history of oppression.
