Syrians in UK frightened of returning regardless of Assad exile amid fears of civil battle

Syrians in the UK are fearful of their homeland being drawn into a civil war and fear returning, a community leader said.

Mazen Gharibah, chief executive of the Syrian British Consortium, said he is not optimistic despite brutal dictator Bashar al-Assad being swept from power. Mr Gharibah told The Mirror he was shocked the UK Government is already talking about refugees going back to their homeland.

On Tuesday border security minister Dame Angela Eagle said the government wants to help Syrians who fled persecution return. Mr Gharibah said: “There are mixed feelings. Of course there’s joy that we’ve finally got rid of Assad’s punitive rule.

“I think the moment we have free and fair elections is the moment that all Syrians will want to return. Unless we have that, I think it might turn into another civil war.”

He said most Syrians in the UK are not convinced by what they’ve seen of rebel group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), which drove Assad into exile. Mr Gharibah, from the western city of Homs, said the Government’s decision to pause processing asylum claims for Syrians was “shocking”.

He said: “When we have armed actors imposing a government it means they’re not willing to share power. I’m not optimistic that a radical change has happened to a jihadist group in a couple of years.”

There were scenes of jubilation as Syrians took to the streets in London and Manchester at the weekend as Assad fled. And there have been reports of exiles returning from neighbouring countries.

But Mr Gharibah said that until a UN resolution calling for an inclusive political process is met, most will be wary about going back.

It comes after Dame Angela said: “One of the first things we saw after the fall of the Assad regime was actually people on the Turkish side of the border returning home. We’ll have to wait to see what happens.”

She continued: “If people wish to go home we’d certainly like to facilitate that but I think it’s too early to say what will emerge from the events that have happened in the last few days.”

The Home Office minister added that intelligence services are “keeping a very, very close eye” on the situation on the ground.

Human rights groups have warned that the events of recent days will be triggering for the Assad regime’s victims. Ann Salter, from charity Freedom from Torture, said: “Torture was a hallmark of Assad’s regime.

“At Freedom from Torture, we support many Syrian survivors, and the stories I’ve heard about the terrible torture they’ve endured are unimaginable. I’ve listened to countless testimonies of severe physical and psychological abuse – including of young people and children – as well as details of detention and inhumane living conditions.

“In our therapy rooms up and down the country, our therapists bear witness to the agony that so many have suffered.

“Recent developments and detailed reports will likely be re-triggering for many of the Syrian people we work with. Those we support who’ve endured similar experiences to what is now being publicised, repeatedly show signs of severe stress, including PTSD and anxiety, long after their physical injuries have been treated.

“It’s vital that people understand that the impact of the torture that Syrian survivors have endured continues to cast a long and painful shadow over their lives, even many years after. Following decades of brutality, we must now see justice and accountability for these crimes.”