In brief
In a remarkable change since the fall of the Assad dictatorship, Syrians are now eagerly checking whether their names are among those once labeled as “wanted” by the regime, openly discussing their status as a sign of defiance against past tyranny.
Kazem Togan, a journalist returning to Syria after a twelve-year absence, experienced this shift firsthand. Upon asking a passport control agent about his status, he learned that he was indeed wanted by the intelligence branch under the old regime. Rather than fear, Togan felt a sense of thrill at being recognized in this way, emblematic of the broader sentiment now spreading across the country. Referred to colloquially as “having a name,” a term that defined the fear experienced by millions under the Assad regime’s authoritarian rule, this new culture revolves around the idea that being wanted is a mark of honor. Many respondents view their previous detention or status as a badge of courage. For decades, the Assad family's authoritarian grip was felt throughout Syria, characterized by an oppressive system that often led to arbitrary arrests and disappearances. Now, conversations in cafes and social media are transformed, where citizens express pride in their experiences, symbolizing resistance against a regime that inflicted terror and violence on its own people. This evolving attitude illustrates a significant societal shift, as Syrians reconcile with their past, embracing narratives of resilience and bravery as they look toward a more open future.Through this lens, the once-dreaded lists of the wanted under Bashar al-Assad are now emblematic of a new identity among Syrians—the identity of those who survived and challenged oppression in all its forms.
