As families search for missing loved ones amid the chaos of civil war, the emotional toll of uncertainty weighs heavily on those like Hiba Abdulhakim Qasawaad, whose relatives were taken by the military 12 years ago. With the current political landscape shifting, these families are left suspended in a painful balance of hope and despair.
Syrian Families Grapple with Uncertainty as Freedom Flees and Hope Flickers
Syrian Families Grapple with Uncertainty as Freedom Flees and Hope Flickers
Families of missing detainees express anguish and hope in the wake of political upheaval following the liberation of Saydnaya Prison in Syria.
A Syrian woman, Hiba Abdulhakim Qasawaad, shared her heart-wrenching experience on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, recounting the torment of having her grandfather, father, and two brothers missing for nearly 12 years after being taken by military forces. Despite recent reports of Saydnaya Prison—infamous for its harsh treatment of political detainees—being emptied, many families are left grappling with unresolved grief and uncertainty.
"Now, miles away from that most brutal prison, we are huddling around screens, our hearts suspended between hope and despair," the 24-year-old mother from Homs articulated. As chaotic upheaval surged through Syria, families rushed to the site, eagerly hoping for news about their loved ones, only to be met with a desolate silence.
On January 28, 2013, Hiba witnessed the nightmarish scene of soldiers raiding her home, dragging away 48 male relatives, including her grandfather and father. This traumatic memory intertwined with her ongoing search has made the passage of time feel unbearable. With little more to cling to than fleeting images, families are left scanning footage for signs of their loved ones.
The backdrop of turmoil stems from the civil war ignited following the 2011 Arab Spring protests, which resulted in mass detentions. Hiba reflected on how the loss of her family members has left an indelible mark on her life. Having been just 12 at the time, the sheer weight of that loss was overwhelming. Despite hearing her relatives' names mentioned by freed prisoners, the fate of her family members remains shrouded in mystery.
With the recent liberation of prisoners, emotions swing between optimism and despair. "Now freedom rings like a bell too loud for ears accustomed to silence," Hiba expressed, revealing the complex mixture of joy and anguish. Families are caught between a desire for closure and the anguish of possibly never knowing what happened to their loved ones.
"I'm torn between finding answers or living with uncertainty," she admitted. Hiba, whose relatives were taken during dark days of conflict, remains hopeful for a reconnection, longing for the spark of happiness that was extinguished years ago. "All we can do is keep searching," she said, illustrating a resilience rooted in love and enduring hope for the return of her family.
