'Right now, we are proud': Syrian-Americans reflect on one year since the fall of Assad

As Syria marks one year since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, many in the diaspora in the US are reflecting on a new era with cautious optimism.

With the new government still getting its footing amid spotty electricity and internet, intra-sectarian strife, and continual Israeli assaults, Syrians are nonetheless celebrating in the streets this week on their latest national holiday, giving hope to longtime exiles of a new era.

"I wanted to explore for myself, not just hear from the news and social media. With them, it's either bad or rosy, but it's actually somewhere in between," Ayman Abdel Nour told The New Arab from Damascus on Monday morning, on the first anniversary of Assad’s fall.

 A Syrian political consultant and longtime opposition member who has lived in Los Angeles for the past 15 years, Abdel Nour is optimistic about the new government. However, he acknowledges the difficult road ahead for the country's economy, infrastructure, security in rural areas and reconciliation among different sects.

In March, hundreds of Alawis were killed, and numerous Christians were displaced in western Syria. Most recently, hundreds were killed in fighting in the Suwayda area in the southern parts of the country.

"The crucial point is to have a better management toward civil peace in Syria. Bringing sects together needs more attention. Everybody is praying to have a better economy, and that will start with the lifting of the sanctions. Then Syrians can start building their country," he said.

Souad Ajan, a Syrian economist based in the Washington, DC area, sees the new government as an opportunity to rebuild—both domestically and internationally after around 15 years of war and decades of brutal dictatorship.

"Syria has suffered for the last 14 years from devastating terrorism—not only from extremist groups, but also from the previous regime under Bashar al-Assad, whose crimes brought unimaginable suffering to millions of innocent civilians," she told TNA.

"Now, Syria stands at a historic crossroads. It is time for peace, reform, and the rebuilding of a safe, secure nation," she said.

For Hamid Imam, a Syrian based in Colorado, one of the best part of the new government is being able to speak freely, and criticise it if need be.

"Syrians have been dealing with forty to fifty years of a mafia-like, brutal dictatorship. We call ourselves the people of the revolution. We're not afraid to speak up and criticise when it's necessary," he told TNA.

Imam returned to Syria ten days after the fall of Assad to join in the celebrations of a new era, though he said it was heartbreaking not to be able to see his hometown of Raqqa due to security concerns. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about the new government.

"I will continue to believe in this. But I have a few red lines in the back of my mind," Imam said. "If I feel like they're no longer working for the country, or if they make peace with Israel without getting the occupied land back—that's a red line for me."

"They call the Syrian Revolution the revolution of dignity. Right now, we are proud," he added.