By Nakiwala Barbra
Eleven years after fleeing Damascus under the threat of arrest, journalist Lina Sinjab has returned to her homeland, free to report without fear.
The collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime over the weekend marks a pivotal moment for Syria, a nation scarred by more than a decade of war and devastation. For Sinjab, who chronicled the 2011 uprising and its brutal aftermath, the reality feels surreal. “I still can’t believe this is happening,” she writes, reflecting on years spent in exile, grappling with despair as she watched her country’s destruction from afar.
The swift and unexpected downfall of Assad’s government stunned even seasoned analysts. Just last week, Sinjab had been in Beirut covering militant gains in Aleppo and Hama, without imagining they would trigger such a dramatic shift. By Sunday morning, Assad had fled, and Damascus had fallen.
For the first time in over a decade, Sinjab crossed the border into Syria without fear, walking past the once-ominous checkpoints of the Palestine Branch, whose officers had previously threatened to silence her reporting permanently.
In the capital, a blend of joy and apprehension permeates the air. Islamist rebels like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have assumed control but are actively working to maintain order, releasing prisoners and offering reassurances to minority communities such as Christians and Alawites. While concerns remain about the rebels’ long-term intentions and the potential for sectarian violence, many Syrians, including Sinjab’s family and friends, are expressing optimism and a desire to return home.
For Sinjab, the journey back has been deeply emotional. Branded a traitor by the regime, her central Damascus apartment was destroyed in 2013. After paying substantial bribes, she recently reclaimed ownership and now plans to rebuild it—a personal act of resilience and hope. “It will take time,” she says, “but that’s what I will do. And perhaps when it is ready, Syria will be ready for all of us to come back.”
The fall of Assad marks the end of an era but also the beginning of an uncertain future. As Syria navigates its post-Assad reality, the scars of war remain visible, but so does the determination of its people. Sinjab’s return to Damascus serves as a poignant reminder of hope and the potential for renewal in a nation long overshadowed by conflict.
