‘Do we go back or not?’: Syrians in Germany weigh up returning after fall of Assad regime

While celebrating, many see situation in their homeland as precarious and have made new lives

Reem Alali is still reeling from the news that the brutal regime she fled eight years ago has collapsed, leaving her and her family with feelings bordering excitement and trepidation. Moreover, there is a sense that important decisions have to be made – but perhaps not just yet, and only with great caution.

“We didn’t sleep for two nights,” she said on Monday, a day after Bashar al-Assad, the former dictator, fled Syria following rebels’ lightning-speed advance into the capital, Damascus. “We have been glued to our phones, speaking to Syrian friends and relatives, crying and drinking glühwein with our German friends.”

Topics

Syrians in Germany worried by some politicians' eagerness for them to go home after Assad's fall

Nearly a decade after hundreds of thousands of Syrians arrived in Germany, many are now well-integrated and settled in jobs — and tens of thousands have gained German citizenship
ABC News - 18h
Syrians await Turkey border entry after fall of Assad's regime

Syrian refugees who fled to Turkey during President Bashar al-Assad's regime are awaiting entry back into their country after the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, took over. CBS News' ...
CBS News - 23h
Syrians react to the fall of the Assad regime

In Syria, the rebels who seized power have appointed a transitional government with a temporary prime minister. On Monday, crowds gathered as some Syrians continued to celebrate the takeover. ...
CBS News - 1d
What's next for Syria after fall of Assad regime?

Bashar al-Assad's rule in Syria has come to an end. CBS News foreign correspondent Imtiaz Tyab is following the latest from Turkey, near the border with Syria. Then, John Kirby, White House ...
CBS News - 1d
Syrians celebrate in the streets after Assad government falls

DAMASCUS, Syria — Jubilant Syrians waving flags clambered Monday onto a government tank abandoned in the capital city's main square and took selfies.
NBC News - 2d
Germany and other European countries suspend decisions on Syrians' asylum bids after Assad's fall

Germany and several other European countries said Monday they are suspending decisions on asylum claims by Syrian nationals because of the unclear situation in their homeland following the fall of ...
ABC News - 2d
Syrians celebrate in the streets of Damascus after the fall of the Assad regime

NBC News’ Richard Engel reports from Damascus, Syria, where celebrations have broken out following the fall of the regime of Bashar Al-Assad. Questions remain over how rebel factions will begin to ...
NBC News - 2d
Eye Opener: Syrians celebrate the fall of Assad regime

Syrians around the world celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime as rebels with ties to terrorism seize control. Police release new images of the possible killer of United Healthcare's CEO. ...
CBS News - 2d
Syrian rebels celebrate fall of Assad regime

Syrian rebels celebrated the fall of President Bashar al-Assad following a swift offensive through the country. Imtiaz Tyab has more on what comes next.
CBS News - 2d