December 8 brought shocking news from Syria’s capital city Damascus: The country’s government had been overthrown. The president and his family had fled. Thirteen years of devastating civil war came to an abrupt end.
Syria has been embroiled in power struggles for years, but this overthrow was quick and unexpected. Only a few weeks before, rebel forces had attacked and overpowered government troops in several prominent Syrian cities. As the forces gained control and advanced on Damascus, President Bashar Assad fled the country, ending his family’s decades-long rule.
In the aftermath of this historic moment, responses across Syria are varied. Some people are jubilant, cheering the end of 54 years of brutal rule. Throughout the Assad regime, thousands of people had simply disappeared, many imprisoned for statements or actions deemed “anti-government.” After the government’s fall, rebel forces broke into prisons, revealing appalling conditions and releasing stunned prisoners. People flooded the prisons to search for loved ones taken from them years before.
Other Syrians, however, view the new government with uncertainty and fear. The group leading this government has a history of extremism, leaving minority people groups and Christians fearful about the future. Thousands have been displaced due to threats or fear of aggression against their communities. One Syrian pastor said, “We don’t understand Jesus right now, but we trust Him that He walks with us and comforts us with His presence, as we don’t know where to go!”
Syria: a battered country
Syria’s future is full of questions, and we don’t know what it holds. But we do know this: Syria is a battered country. Thirteen years of civil war has left the country in ruins. Infrastructure is devastated. The country is deep in an economic crisis. Those fortunate enough to have jobs often earn only about $20 a month. Many face serious hunger.
The recent upheaval has brought a new wave of suffering. “The people inside [Syria] are having an endless struggle,” shared a CAM contact. The new government promises change, but this will no doubt take years. And as the government works to establish itself, lawlessness, looting, and further economic collapse are plaguing the country.
We are working closely with trusted contacts to respond to needs both in Syria and in other conflict-affected countries in the region. Some contacts have reached out with requests for house repairs, food, winter aid, and other items. Whether or not Syria’s new regime brings a season of peace, we anticipate huge needs in the days to come. If you wish to help, your support will be a blessing!
Please pray for Syria and its people. A Syrian Christian shared what so many in this country long for. “The darkness of the Syrian war has darkened our hearts. Oh God, give us what our hearts desire and guide us to peace in our lives. We are tired.”
